{"id":3490,"date":"2025-03-21T21:51:12","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T21:51:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stand.org\/colorado\/?p=3490"},"modified":"2025-03-21T21:55:31","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T21:55:31","slug":"capitol-week-in-review-week-11-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stand.org\/colorado\/our-stories\/capitol-week-in-review-week-11-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Capitol Week In Review: Week 11"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get this newsletter in your inbox every week:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Legislation of Interest<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re excited to announce that one of our key criminal justice reform policies is scheduled for it’s hearing next week. In addition, there has been another scheduling update, read below for more information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HB 25-1146, Juvenile Detention Bed Caps<\/a>, proposes increasing Colorado’s juvenile detention bed cap 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 strong opposition; after several delays, this bill will be heard in the Health and Human Services Committee on April 2nd. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

HB 25-1214, Appropriate Use of Prison Beds<\/a>,  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 is being heard in the House Judiciary Committee on March 26th at 1:30pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SB25- 190, Offender Release from Custody<\/a>, aims to improve processes for releasing offenders from custody. It allows individuals to remain in jail overnight to facilitate connections with service providers and revises eligibility criteria for special needs parole, particularly for inmates aged 55 or older with severe cognitive impairments. Additionally, the bill mandates a study on options for releasing aging and seriously ill offenders to appropriate care facilities or alternative programs better suited to their medical needs. This bill is being heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 26th at 1:30pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HB25-1135 Communication Devices in Schools<\/a>, 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 is being heard in the Senate Education Committee on March 31st at 1:30pm.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

HB25-1293, Drug Overdose Education & Opioid Antagonists in Schools<\/a>, mandates the State Board of Education to incorporate standards into high school health education that address drug overdose risks, recognition, prevention, and response. Additionally, it permits educational institutions to seek external funding to maintain and administer opioid antagonists. This bill passed out of the House Education Committee with a vote of 13-0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Take: <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Last year, our state made historic progress by eliminating the Budget Stabilization Factor<\/strong> and updating the school funding formula<\/a> <\/strong>for the first time in 30 years. These changes promised much-needed resources for students in poverty, English learners, and students with special needs. However, with a $1.2 billion budget shortfall, this progress is at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The draft 2025 School Finance Act (that isn’t introduced yet) offers a responsible solution<\/strong> by ensuring funding increases for schools while:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our schools cannot afford to go backward. This proposal strikes a fair balance between the state\u2019s fiscal constraints and its commitment to fully and equitably funding public education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Take Action: Let’s Ensure Sustainable and Equitable Funding for Colorado Public Schools, Act Now!<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We need your voice to help protect Colorado\u2019s commitment to public education. Here\u2019s how you can help:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Urge legislators to support the 2025 School Finance Act Proposal, which balances progress with fiscal responsibility.\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colorado\u2019s students deserve progress. Let\u2019s demand stable, equitable funding for our public schools\u2014no exceptions, no excuses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What We’re Reading
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