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Second Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

CLICS/CLICS2026A/commsumm.nsf
PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For SB26-115

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date Feb 25, 2026       Location Old Supreme Court

SB26-115 - Amended, referred to Senate Appropriations
01:37:49 PM  
Senators Gonzales and Weissman, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 26-115. The bill allows certain inmates to petition the court for post-conviction relief.

Committee members asked the bill sponsors questions about sentencing practices and eligibility.
02:05:51 PM  
David Carrillo, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Dan Meyer, representing Spero Justice Center, testified in support of the bill. Beth McCann, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Kelly Alley, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Discussion ensued about second look practices in other states and measurements of success. Committee members asked about sentencing changes over time and applicability to the bill. Further questions were raised about victim impact.
02:30:40 PM  
Mr. Raymond Johnson, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Sharletta Evans testimony read by Jeanne from the Kory Wise Innocence Project, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Michael Clifton, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked the panel about programming in prisons.
02:41:21 PM  

George Brauchler, representing the 23rd Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Danielle Jaramillo, representing the 23rd Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Nate Marsh, representing the 23rd Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Jake Adkins, representing the 23rd Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panel answered questions about ways in which inmates can be released under the current system, including good time.  Discussion ensued about the definition of justice. Further questions were raised about how the bill would impact victims. Conversation turned to systemic changes.
03:09:23 PM  
Ms. Robin Farris, representing Spero Justice Center, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Jennifer Kilpatrick, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mrs. Brittany Vessely, representing the Colorado Catholic Conference, testified in support of the bill. Sarah Anderson, representing the R Street Institute, testified in support of the bill. Marta Nelson, representing the Vera Institute of Justice, testified to amend the bill.
03:25:19 PM  
Nick Wells, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Bryan Milburn, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Steve Allen, representing Legislation Inside - Korey Wise Innocence Project, testified in support of the bill. Bryce Brosier, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
03:38:53 PM  
Dr. Sharon Anable, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Courtney Sutton, representing the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, testified in opposition to the bill. Shannon Johnson, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.
03:48:08 PM  
Mr. Trevor Jones, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mike Montoya, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Eric Davis, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Lucas Salas, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
04:01:59 PM  
Kristen Nelson, representing Spero Justice Center, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Patrick Sanchez, representing Spero Justice Center + Legislation Inside, testified in support of the bill. Gail Johnson, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Nathan Eagan, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked about similar practices in other states and long-term outcomes.
04:21:02 PM  
Kelly Murphy, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Shawna Geiger, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Eric Nelson, representing Together Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Kevin Lash, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Written testimony about the bill is in Attachment A.
04:34:25 PM  
The bill sponsors distributed and explained Amendment L.001 (Attachment B).

04:37:13 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.001
Moved Gonzales J.
Seconded
Carson
Gonzales J.
Hinrichsen
Wallace
Zamora Wilson
Roberts
Weissman
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
04:37:14 PM  
The bill sponsors made closing remarks.  Committee members made closing comments.

04:58:02 PM
 Motion Refer Senate Bill 26-115, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Gonzales J.
Seconded
Carson No
Gonzales J. Yes
Hinrichsen Yes
Wallace Yes
Zamora Wilson No
Roberts No
Weissman Yes
Final YES: 4   NO: 3   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS