Representatives Soper and Bird presented Senate Bill 23-097. The bill modifies and reclassifies motor vehicle theft offenses and creates a new misdemeanor offense for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Director Stan Hilkey, representing the Colorado Department of Public Safety, testified in support of the bill.

Lieutenant Colonel Josh Downing, representing the Colorado State Patrol - Colorado Department of Public Safety, testified in support of the bill.

Witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Committee and witness discussion continued.

Chief Chris Noeller, representing the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police - Pueblo Police Department, testified in support of the bill.

Sheriff David Lucero, representing the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, County Sheriff’s of Colorado, 10th Judicial District, testified in support of the bill.

Witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

David Cardella, representing the Colorado Independent Automobile Dealers Association, testified in support of the bill.

District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin, representing Colorado District Attorneys Council, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Catrina Weigel, representing the District Attorney's Office, 20th Judicial District, testified in support of the bill.

Witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

President Portia Prescott, representing the Rocky Mountain NAACP CO-MT-WY State Conference, testified in opposition to the bill.

The committee took a recess.

The committee came back to order.

Representative Weissman introduced amendment L.003 to the committee (Attachment F).

Bill sponsors and committee members provided final comments on the bill.