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CLICS/CLICS2026A/commsumm.nsf
PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For HB26-1281

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date Apr 14, 2026       Location HCR 0107

HB26-1281 - Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole


04:02:54 PM  
Representatives Carter and Espenoza, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 26-1281.  They distributed amendments L.001 (Attachment F) and L.003 (Attachment G).  The bill reclassifies several offenses around first and second degree murder, attempted murder, and vehicular homicide.
04:26:28 PM  
The bill sponsors responded to committee questions.
04:34:16 PM  
Discussion continued.
05:09:02 PM  
Mr. David Kaplan, representing the Office of the State Public Defender, testified in support of the bill. Mr. James Karbach, representing the Office of the State Public Defender, testified in support of the bill. Dan Meyer, representing the Spero Justice Center, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Justin Marceau, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Jeanne Segil, representing Korey Wise Innocence Project and Legislation Inside, testified in support of the bill. The witnesses responded to committee questions.
05:25:49 PM  
Davin Shing, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Jessica Dotter, representing the Colorado District Attorneys' Council, testified in opposition to the bill. Padaric Emerine, representing the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, testified in opposition to the bill. Patrick Freeman, representing the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, testified in opposition to the bill. The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.
05:59:07 PM  
Mr. Brian Mason, representing the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Anthony Santos, representing the 2nd Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Michael Allen, representing the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. George Brauchler, representing the 23rd Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. The witnesses responded to committee questions.
06:32:50 PM  
Courtney Sutton, representing the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, testified in opposition to the bill. Mrs. Keisha Sarpong, representing the Rose Andom Center, testified in opposition to the bill. Nate Marsh, representing the 23rd Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Matthew Lunn, representing the Division of Criminal Justice, testified in opposition to the bill. Tim Lopez, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Missy Espinoza, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. The witnesses responded to committee questions.
07:08:14 PM  
Cecily Riney, representing the National Safe Parents Organization, testified in opposition to the bill. She responded to committee questions.
07:29:01 PM  
David Carillo, representing the Korey Wise Innocence Project, testified in support of the bill. Lucienne Ohanian, representing the Office of State Public Defender, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Kevin Lash, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Jennifer Jones, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Maureen Cain, representing Spero Justice, testified in support of the bill. The witnesses responded to committee questions.
07:57:43 PM  
Ms. Rebecca Green, representing Mothers Against Drunk Driving, testified in a neutral position on the bill.
08:34:44 PM  
Kimberly Chalmers, representing the Office of the State Public Defender, testified in support of the bill. Amelia Blyth, representing the Office of the State Public Defender and the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support of the bill. Kyle Giddings, representing the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, testified in support of the bill. The witnesses responded to committee questions.

Additional written testimony is included as Attachment H.

08:50:11 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment G).
Moved Espenoza
Seconded Carter
Bacon
Clifford
Espenoza
Flanell
Garcia
Keltie
Slaugh
Soper
Zokaie
Carter
Mabrey
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection

08:50:41 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment F), as amended.
Moved Espenoza
Seconded Carter
Bacon
Clifford
Espenoza
Flanell
Garcia
Keltie
Slaugh
Soper
Zokaie
Carter
Mabrey
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
08:50:42 PM  
The bill sponsors and members of the committee made closing remarks.

09:15:17 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 26-1281, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Carter
Seconded Espenoza
Bacon Yes
Clifford No
Espenoza Yes
Flanell No
Garcia Yes
Keltie No
Slaugh No
Soper No
Zokaie Yes
Carter Yes
Mabrey Yes
Final YES: 6   NO: 5   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS