Welcome to Capitol Week In Review, our newsletter keeping you informed about policy concerning educational equity and criminal justice reform. You will also hear from us about opportunities to engage in advocacy on topics important to you.
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Legislation of Interest
We’re excited to share that we have added two criminal justice reform policies to our priorities. Make sure to read “Our Take” to learn more about one of these policies and our stance on it.
HB 25-1214, Appropriate Use of Prison Beds, reforms sentencing and parole by requiring courts to review key information before sentencing and notifying them when individuals near parole eligibility are sentenced. It expands treatment options to certified recovery residences, removes payment requirements for mandated treatment after positive drug or alcohol tests, and presumes parole for low-risk inmates with mandated monthly status reports. A public defender liaison will also address outstanding warrants for eligible inmates. This bill was introduced in the House.
HB 25-1146, Juvenile Detention Bed Cap, proposes increasing Colorado’s juvenile detention bed cap from 215 to 254 for the 2025-26 fiscal year and, in subsequent years, setting the cap at 125% of the projected average daily juvenile detention population. The bill also mandates annual appropriations to fund these beds. We are in opposition and is scheduled to be heard in the Health and Human Services Committee on March 4th.
SB25-001, Colorado Voting Rights Act establishes the Colorado Voting Rights Act (CVRA) and updates election-related statutes in four key areas: (1) Election and voting provisions for Indian tribes. (2) Enhanced voting services for individuals with disabilities. (3) Improved language access in election processes. (4) Strengthened election-related data collection practices. It passed with a vote of 3-2 out of the Senate Committee on State, Veterans, and Military Affairs.
HB25-1167, Alternative Education Campuses, enhances support for Colorado’s Alternative Education Campuses (AECs) by prioritizing them for state grants, allowing high-risk students (21 and under) in enrollment counts, requiring reports on AEC trends, and protecting their designation from single-year enrollment drops. This bill is scheduled to be heard in the House Education Committee on March 5th upon adjournment.
HB25-1192, Financial Literacy Graduation Requirement, mandates that Colorado high school students successfully complete a financial literacy course in the 11th or 12th grade as a condition for graduation. Additionally, the bill requires students to submit either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA). The bill includes an opt-out provision for families who choose not to complete these applications. This bill is scheduled to be heard in the House Education Committee on February 27th at 1:30p.
HB25-1135, Communication Devices in Schools, requires all public and charter schools in Colorado to establish policies on student use of communication devices during school hours by July 1, 2026. These policies must specify any restrictions and exceptions for device use throughout the school day. The bill passed the House Education Committee with a vote of 12-1 and passed second reading in the House.
Our Take: More Detention Beds Won’t Fix a Broken System
Stand firmly opposes HB25-1146 as it reinforces the school-to-prison pipeline rather than investing in mental health care, rehabilitation, and community-based solutions that keep youth out of the justice system.
HB 25-1146 proposes increasing the juvenile detention bed cap, despite evidence that the real issue isn’t space- it’s a lack of services. Youth are being held past their release dates due to underfunded treatment facilities, lack of foster placements, and transportation gaps, not a shortage of detention beds.
Each bed costs $174,000 per year, diverting funds from education and community-based programs that prevent incarceration. Tying future bed cap increases to projections creates an unpredictable financial burden with no clear funding plan.
HB 25-1146 is not the solution—real support is. Colorado’s youth deserve better than more cells. It’s time to invest in their future, not in unnecessary detention.
Take Action: Urge Policymakers to OPPOSE HB25-1446, Juvenile Detention Bed Cap
The House Health and Human Services committee is hearing HB25-1146, on Tuesday March 4th.
Tell the House Health and Human Services Committee to vote NO on HB 25-1146! Detention should be a last resort, not a default solution. Colorado must invest in rehabilitation, education, and community support, ensuring that our youth have the resources to grow, heal, and build a brighter future.
What We’re Reading
- Chalkbeat, Jeffco school board latest to pass resolution affirming support for immigrant students, families
- Chalkbeat, Colorado lawmakers advance bill that would put guardrails on private equity-backed child care chains
- CPR Colorado, ‘So disturbing’: New report finds guards at Colorado juvenile detention facilities increasingly rely on use of force
