B227C5392F036BE7872583C3006EF4CC Hearing Summary

Senator Winter, sponsor, explained SB19-180, concerning the creation of an eviction legal defense fund, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.  She stressed the importance of housing.

Jack Regenbogen, representing Colorado Center on Law and Policy, spoke in support of the bill.  He discussed the the consequences of eviction and the complex legal system to navigate when housing is in jeopardy. 

Aubrey Hasvold, representing the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, testified in support of the bill. She noted that access to attorneys in an eviction proceeding levels the playing field. 

Les Ebert, representing Colorado Legal Services, provided a neutral position on the bill.  He discussed a pilot project in the Denver County courts that served 550 households with eviction matters.

Tom Snyder, representing the Colorado Poverty Law Project, testified in favor of the bill. He discussed other states with similar programs and stressed the importance of spending money on the front-end.  He answered questions from the committee.

Caitlin Fin, representing Colorado Poverty Law Project, spoke in support of the bill.  She noted that attorneys can help prevent an eviction.

Thomas Davidson, Summit County Commissioner, testified in favor of the bill.  He discussed housing issues in Summit County.

Adam Burg, representing Adams County, spoke in support of the bill. He noted that renters are having a hard time finding a place to live and navigating the legal structure.

Sarah Barnes, representiong the Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the relationship between stable housing and child well-being.

Esther Turcios, representing the Colorado Fiscal Institute, testified in favor of the measure.  She cited statistics and costs related to evictions. 

Kristin Seidel, representing the Colorado Women's Lobby, spoke in support of the bill. She discussed the cycle of eviction and poverty.

Duranya Freeman, representing All Families Deserve a Chance Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Chris Lyttle, representing Center for Health Progress, spoke in support of the bill. He discussed housing and health equity issues. 

Lynn Smith, representing AARP, testified in favor of the bill. She noted particular problems seniors encounter with evictions. 

Lydia Waligorski, representing Violence Free Colorado, spoke in support of the bill.  She distributed an example of an eviction notice to committee members (Attachment D).

Valerie Schlect, representing Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill. She stressed that evictions disproportionately affect people with disabilities.

Andrea Chiriboga-Flor, representing 9to5 Colorado, spoke in support of the measure.  She discussed eviction rates in Aurora and noted that eviction more often happens to women.  

Molly Bowers, representing Focus Reentry, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the impact of incarceration on housing and evictions.

Vanessa Guzman, representing Interfaith Allliance, testified in favor of the bill.

Adrienne Bowes, representing Bayaud Enterprises, testified in support of the bill. She noted that access to legal services is beneficial in eviction cases. 

Peter Severson, representing Lutheran Advocacy, spoke in support of the bill. He discussed the role of churches and housing. 

Ed Shackelford, representing Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support the bill.

Shannon MacKenzie, representing Disability Law Colorado, testified in favor of the bill.

Senator Winter distibuted and explained amendment L. 001 regarding the distribution of funds (Attachment E).  

Senator Winter made closing remarks.