S_JUD_2021A 01/28/2021 09:12:24 AM Committee Summary

Senator Lee made opening remarks, recapped the agenda for the hearing (Attachment A), and introduced the Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Stan Hilkey, Director, reviewed the agency's organizational chart, mission and values, and budget.  He next addressed the regulatory and legislative agenda, including juvenile diversion clarification, community corrections redesign, and changes to suspension, revocation, and denial of driver's licenses. 

Chief Matt Packard, Colorado State Patrol, discussed the state patrol's strategic plan and highlighted accomplishments. He also discussed Wildly Important Goals (WIGs). 

Committee members asked questions about traffic fatalities and equity, diversion, and inclusion. 

Mike Morgan, Director, Division of Fire Prevention and Control, discussed the division's mission, purpose, performance measurements, and WIGs.  He also spent time talking about fire fighters and fire suppression efforts.  Committee members asked questions about fire preparedness efforts and inmate fire fighers. 

John Camper, Director, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, discussed the bureau's mission, purpose, performance measurements, achievements, and WIGs.  He highlighted InstaCheck, identity theft, financial fraud, cold cases, and hate crime data.

Commitee members asked questions about hate crime reporting and definitions.

Kevin Klein, Director, Division of Homeland Security, discussed the division's mission, purpose, performance measurements, achievements, and WIGs. 

Questions were asked by committee members about election security. 

Joe Thome, Director,  Division of Criminal Justice, discussed the division's mission, purpose, performance meansurements, achievements, and WIGs.  He noted the Office of the State Auditor recommendations regarding the Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB) and gave an update on their implementation. 

Jana Locke, Deputy Director, gave a brief overview of the duties and responsibilities of the Executive Director's Office. 

Susan Walker, representing herself, spoke about the SOMB and its upcoming annual legislative hearing February.

The DPS SMART Act presentation is found in Attachment B.

Stan Hilkey, Chair, recapped the mission and goals of the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ).

Abigail Tucker, Vice Chair, discussed the work of CCJJ subcommittees.

Joe Thome, ex-officio, Director, Division of Criminal Justice, discussed the Age of Delinquency Task Force.

Mike Dougherty, District Attorney, 20th Judicial District, Sentencing Reform Task Force Co-Chair, discussed progress on sentencing reform recommendations.  

The CCJJ SMART Act presentation is found in Attachment C. 

Phil Weiser, Attorney General, gave an overview of the Department of Law.  He further discussed policy priorities regarding police reform, curtailing driver's license suspensions for unpaid legal financial obligations, and bail and bond settings. 

Committee discussion followed about election integrity, the Colorado River Compact, unemployment fraud, identity theft, Safe2Tell, hate crimes, law enforcement training, backlog of felony jury trials, police investigations of officer-involved shootings, and state agency billing to the Department of Law for legal services rendered. 

Chief Justice Brian Boatright further discussed operational changes and emphasized the criminal jury trial backlog due to the pandemic.  He discussed the possibility of a statutory change regarding speedy trials for more flexibility.   Committee discussion followed about resources, staffing, and senior judges.  Committee members noted the urgency and seriousness of the backlog situation, for both civil and criminal cases.      

Mr. Vasconcellos further presented information about court accessibility, the text reminder program, judicial outreach, and restorative justice.  

The Judicial Branch SMART Act presentation can be found in Attachment D. 

Jordan Steffan, Deputy Ombudsman, presented an overview about the Child Protection Ombudsman, including its history, legislative agenda,  performance measurements, services provided, clients served, and pandemic response.  

The Child Protection Ombudsman SMART Act presentation can be found in Attachment E.

Megan Ring, Colorado State Public Defender, presented an overview of the Office of the State Public Defender, including its statutory responsbilities, budget, and caseload. 

Karen Taylor,  First Assistant State Public Defender, answered questions about appellate trials and the criminal jury trial backlog. 

Maureen Cain, Director of Legislative Policy and Organizational Communication, discussed performance measurements and involvement of the office across the criminal justice system. 

Discussion ensued about competency to proceed, mental health, substance abuse, the pandemic, and the impacts on the legal system. 

Questions were raised about speedy trials and statutory changes, as proposed by the Judicial Branch.  Discussion followed about other ways to resolve cases and address the backlog short of a statutory change.  Constitutional issues were also mentioned in the speedy trial discussion. 

The Office of the State Public Defender SMART Act presentation can be found in Attachment F.