S_JUD_2023A 01/30/2023 01:35:13 PM Committee Summary

Senator Gonzales made opening remarks. 

Jennifer Lockwood from the Department of Regulatory Affairs (DORA) provided an overview of the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ) sunset report.   She also discussed recommendations from the report.  The report may be found at this link:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/18ix57OFgHEuZDEQGeV9d1YCnOQ4wHiyq/view

Executive Director Stan Hilkey, representing Colorado Department of Public Safety, testified about the CCJJ. 

Committee members asked questions about CCJJ's relevancy.  Further discussion followed about prioritizing juvenile justice. 

Mr. Fran Lanzer, representing Mothers Against Drunk Driving, testified about the CCJJ.  He recommended more equity and inclusion on the CCJJ, in addition to varied meeting times to accommodate working schedules. 

 

Senator Roberts suggested a five year repeal date be added to the draft bill.

 

 

Jacob Baus, Office of Legislative Legal Services (OLLS), asked the committee questions about the five year repeal date and alignment with sunset reviews.  The committee agreed to a September 1, 2028, repeal date.

Committee members had no objection to OLLS making technical changes as needed.

 

 

 

Senators Gardner and Gonzales agreed to sponsor the CCJJ sunset bill. 

Saul Larsen from DORA provided an overview of the sunset report about the Offender Reentry Grant Program and Work and Gain Education and Employment Skills Program (WAGEES).   He discussed the recommendations as outlined in the report, including tracking recidivism data and better marketing of the program.  The report may be found in its entirety here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YNoFE95qPthi_mllbvNP9Koo1gFOM4P9/view

Committee members asked questions about funding and recidivism definitions and rates. 

Mr. Juaquin Mobley, representing themself, testified about employment and training opportunities offered through WAGEES.

Ms. Elizabeth Lobato, representing Don't Look Back Center, testified about the benefits of WAGEES.

Mr. Anthony Enfield, representing Homeward Alliance, testified about the benefits of WAGEES.

Mr James Rodarte, representing Hope House serving Northeastern Colorado, testified about the need for the program in rural areas.

Ms. Dominique Vodicka, representing The Reentry Initiative, testified about how the program has helped her. 

Mr. Roger Cullen, representing Life-linecolorado.org, testified in support of WAGEES.

Ms. Julia Valdez-Albertson, representing Tribe Recovery Homes, testified in support of WAGEES.

Mr. Lucas Salas, representing Servicios de la Raza, testified in support of WAGEES.

Mr. Sidney Griggs, representing Second Chance Center, testified to continue WAGEES.

Mr. Richard Marquez, representing Latino Coalition for Community Leadership, testified about his role as a grant writer for WAGEES.

Ms. Cory Miskell, representing Latino Coalition for Community Leadership (LCCL), testified about tracking recidivism and other measurements.

Commitee members asked questions about recidivism rates, location of programs, funding, and average length of time in the program. 

Mrs Jessica Bertolas, representing the Department of Corrections, testified about WAGEES and answered recidivism related questions. 

Committee members discussed the program. 

Committee members did not object to any technical changes by OLLS.

Committee members unanimously approved the bill sponsors to be Senators Coleman and Baisley.