Today, the House Judiciary Committee heard HB26-1232 Court Costs Assessed to Juveniles.
When young people become involved in the justice system, the goal should be rehabilitation and opportunity, not financial punishment. Yet across Colorado, some families continue to face court costs and fees tied to mistakes their children made before turning eighteen, despite prior reforms intended to eliminate these burdens. House Bill 26-1232 takes an important step toward closing these gaps and ensuring that children and their families are not saddled with debt for actions committed during childhood. Hunter Ambrose, one of Stand’s Policy Fellow submitted written testimony before the legislature, sharing why this bill matters; not only as a policy change, but as a step toward a more just system that supports healing, accountability, and opportunity for young people and their families.
Hunters written testimony is attached below.
“Good afternoon Chair and members of the committee. My name is Hunter Ambrose. I am here today in support of House Bill 26-1232. I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak on a policy that strengthens Colorado’s commitment to meaningful juvenile justice reform.
This bill is simple, but incredibly important. It ensures that court costs and fees are not assessed to juveniles who commit offenses before the age of eighteen. Colorado has already taken steps to eliminate many of these harmful fees, but gaps still exist in practice. Families continue to fall through the cracks, and some are still being charged fees that should not be imposed.
House Bill 26-1232 closes those gaps.
No child should carry financial debt because they made a mistake while they were still a child. And families should not be punished financially while trying to support their children through difficult moments.
I can speak to this issue not only as an advocate, but as someone with lived experience in the juvenile justice system. My story and my experiences navigating that system are documented in my book, Relentless: Surviving the Los Angeles Foster Care System and Emancipation. I know firsthand how systems can either create opportunity for healing and growth, or they can deepen the challenges that families are already facing.
When we impose court costs and financial penalties on children and their families, we are not promoting accountability. We are creating additional financial barriers for families who are often already struggling. Parents and guardians should be focused on helping their children move forward — supporting their education, stability, and growth — not worrying about how they will pay court-imposed fees for mistakes made during childhood.
Colorado has already recognized that these fees are harmful by passing HB21-1315, bi-partisan legislation that eliminated certain juvenile fees and costs and forgave an estimated $10.4 million in outstanding debt. The right thing to do now is ensure that there are no gaps in implementation.
House Bill 26-1232 strengthens trust in our justice system by ensuring that policies meant to protect children are actually followed consistently across the state. Children are still developing. They make mistakes. Our justice system should focus on rehabilitation and opportunity, not financial punishment.
I am asking you to vote yes on House Bill 26-1232 and continue moving Colorado toward a more just and equitable juvenile justice system. Thank you for your time and for your commitment to Colorado’s youth and families.”
