7C5A07E14D2125648725851800838CAC Hearing Summary

Senator Lee, sponsor, explained Senate Bill 20-172, concerning a requirement that a court hold a bond setting hearing within forty-eight hours after an arrestee's arrival at a detention facility. 

Committee members asked questions about costs and funding. 

Kyley Burress, representing CCI, testified in opposition to the bill. She discussed local government implementation costs and other funding issues.

Gini Pingenot, representing CCI, testified in opposition to the bill. She discussed unfunded mandates and raised concerns about the grant concept, as outlined in the bill. 

Byron Pelton, Logan County Commissioner, testified in opposition of the bill. He discussed implementation costs.  

Matthew La Crue, representing the County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. He discussed costs and impacts on counties. 

Tom Raynes, representing the Colorado District Attorneys' Council, testified against the bill. He distributed a letter from the Office of the District Attorney in the 9th Judicial District outlining concerns about the bill (Attachment G). He discussed the impact on district attorneys and technological and broadband issues relating to bond hearings held on weekends. 

Jeff Lindsey, representing the District Attorney's Office in the 4th Judicial District, testified in opposition to the bill.  He discussed the impact on prosecutors.

Don Klemme, representing Arapahoe County, spoke in opposition to the bill. He discussed burdens on counties and the need for more time to understand costs.

Steve Vasconcellos, representing the Judicial Department, spoke from a neutral position on the bill and made himself available for questions.

John Seward, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Eva Frickel, representing Colorado Freedom Fund, testified in support of the bill.

Tristan Gorman, representing the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in favor of the measure.

Darren Cantor, representing the Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel, testified in support of the bill.

Maureen Cain, representing the Office of the State Public Defender, testified in favor of the bill.  She noted that three jurisdictions currently offer bond hearings every day of the week. 

The committee asked questions about bond hearings and warrants. 

Denise Maes, representing ACLU, testified in support of the bill. She addressed concerns raised by the opponents of the bill and stressed that 48 hour bond hearings will be implemented either through legislation or litgation. 

Rebecca Wallace, representing ACLU, spoke in favor of the bill.  She discussed out-of-county holds and lawsuits about prompt bond hearings.

Committee discussion followed about access to bond commissioners and jurisdictions that do not want to participate.

Hilary Aizenman, representing herself, testified in favor of the bill. She discussed out- of-county warrants.

Elizabeth Epps, representing the Colorado Freedom fund, testified in support of the bill. She provided examples of indiviuals spending long periods in jail awaiting bond hearings. 

Senator Lee distributed and explained Amendment L.001 regarding district attorneys and access to grant money (Attachment H). 

Senator Lee distributed and explained Amendment L.002 which addresses hearings from a remote location (Attachment I).  

Senator Lee made closing comments.