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Second Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For HB25-1276

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date Apr 8, 2025       Location HCR 0107

HB25-1276 - Postponed Indefinitely
04:23:26 PM  
Representatives Soper and Bird, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 25-1276, which allows a court to issue a monetary bond for certain low level offenses when a person fails to appear in court two to three times in the same case. Representative Bird discussed the bill's merits. Representative Soper explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Soper also discussed some forthcoming amendments.
04:35:08 PM  
Mr. Chief-Matthew Packard, representing the Colorado State Patrol, testified in support of the bill. Chief Strossner, City of Johnston, read the testimony of Chief Redfearn, representing the Colorado Association of the Chiefs of Police, in support of the bill. Jonathan Singer, representing the Boulder Chamber of Commerce, testified in support of the bill. Judge HayDen Kane, representing the City of Colorado Springs, testified in support of the bill.
04:46:49 PM  
Rebecca Wallace, representing Colorado Freedom Fund, testified in opposition to the bill. Ashley Cordero, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Kathleen Hennessy, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Elizabeth Cadiz, representing the Aurora Public Defender, testified in opposition to the bill.

Discussion ensued regarding the types of offenses impacted by HB 25-1276, and sentences associated with these offenses. Discussion followed regarding potential impacts to the immigrant community. More discussion occurred about credit for time served.
05:16:34 PM  
Elyse Ackerman Casselberry, representing the City of Delta, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Jason Lantagne, representing the Colorado Municipal Judges Association, testified in support of the bill. Jeremy Schupbach, representing the Colorado Municipal League, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Schupbach responded to questions regarding how the bill may help to address retail theft. Judge Lantagne responded to questions regarding the ability of individuals to mitigate missed court dates, and aggregating penalties for theft.
05:32:07 PM  
Mx. Shaleen Morales, representing the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Kelly McCullough, representing Disability Law Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Annie Martinez, representing Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in opposition to the bill. Evan Davies, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Catherine Mabrey, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.
05:48:06 PM  
Tonya Haas Davidson, representing the City of Greenwood Village, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Haas Davidson responded to questions regarding the penalties associated with the crimes taking place in her jurisdiction impacted by HB 25-1276.
05:55:12 PM  
Andrew West, representing the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, testified in opposition to the bill. Mx. Dana Steiner, representing the Colorado Freedom Fund, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Rachel Mercer, representing the Denver Office of the Municipal Public Defender, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. LeAnn Fickes, representing the Denver Office of the Municipal Public Defender, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Avery Lehr, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Alison Birchard, representing Boulder County, testified in opposition to the bill.

Discussion ensued regarding some forthcoming amendments, and failure-to-appear issues with respect to petty theft.
06:16:01 PM  
Anaya Robinson, representing the ACLU of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Written testimony may be found in Attachment D.
06:18:18 PM  
Representative Soper explained why he would ask the committee to postpone HB 25-1276 indefinitely. Representative Bird provided additional input. The committee discussed the bill.

06:27:54 PM
 Motion Postpone House Bill 25-1276 indefinitely.
Moved Soper
Seconded Clifford
Armagost Yes
Bacon Yes
Caldwell Yes
Clifford Yes
Espenoza Yes
Garcia Yes
Keltie Yes
Soper Yes
Zokaie Yes
Carter Yes
Mabrey Yes
Final YES: 11   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS