First Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General AssemblyThis memorandum provides an overview of the mandatory minimum sentencing schemes in Colorado law. It provides information on the general categories of offenses subject to enhanced prison sentences and specific crimes that require a mandatory minimum sentence. Three years of sentencing data are...
During the 2017 legislative session, the General Assembly considered measures related to public benefit corporations, trusts, and financial regulators.
What can a person do if he or she feels that an attorney or judge in a legal matter acted unprofessionally? In Colorado, there are formal complaint processes to review the conduct of attorneys and judges and to administer discipline when warranted. Additionally, voters can choose whether to...
This memorandum provides an overview of state laws that address age of consent for sexual activity. More specifically, it provides information about the age of sexual consent in Colorado and other states, including exemptions that allow a person below the age of consent to have lawful sex with...
Rising use and acceptance of virtual currencies and the technology that underpins them are increasingly presenting unique issues for state lawmakers and regulators. This issue brief describes virtual currencies such as bitcoin, discusses blockchain technology, and describes recent state...
During the 2017 legislative session, the General Assembly considered measures related to judicial performance, state and local court administration, court proceedings involving juveniles, evidence and court procedures, and records sealing. This document summarizes the legislation.
During the 2018 legislative session, the Colorado General Assembly considered measures related to civil law. Specifically, the legislature considered bills regarding civil protections, the statute of limitations for domestic violence offenses, immunity, jurisdiction, and liability.
The General Assembly considered, but did not pass, several bills attempting to define cryptocurrency in law and clarify how it is regulated. In addition, the General Assembly passed legislation related to security freezes on credit reports of minors.
During the 2018 legislative session, the General Assembly introduced numerous bills concerning crimes,criminal penalties, and law enforcement.
The Colorado Constitution allows voters to decide whether justices and judges stay on the bench after they have been appointed and have had time to establish a judicial record by serving an initial term. Some form of this process, otherwise known as the merit selection and retention of justices...
Final Report to the Colorado General Assembly by the Pension Review Commission. This commission was created pursuant to Article 51.1 of Title 24, Colorado Revised Statutes. The purpose of the commission is to study and review the two major pension plans in the state — the Fire and Police...
This memorandum provides an overview of how post-conviction sex offender polygraph testing (PCSOT) is used for adult sex offenders in Colorado, as well as in other states. It also includes a summary of current research on its effectiveness.
A statute of limitations is a law that specifies the maximum length of time allowed for a victim or prosecutor to initiate legal proceedings. Such a statute may apply in either criminal or civil cases. This issue brief provides an overview of criminal statutes of limitations, including...
This memorandum provides an overview of the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) and the changes made to PERA by Senate Bill 18‑200.
Gravity and switchblade knives, which were originally popularized by classic movies such as West Side Story and Rebel Without a Cause, are considered illegal weapons in Colorado. Possessing such a weapon could result in a fine or jail time, or both. This issue brief...
This memorandum provides an overview of jury duty for criminal trials in Colorado, including how jurors are summoned, excused, selected, paid, and impaneled. Jury deliberations, instructions, and verdicts are also covered.
This issue brief provides an overview of extreme risk protection orders, including what they are, how they are used, and how Colorado's proposed law compares to other states. It also addresses other types of protection orders authorized in Colorado law.
During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly examined a number of measures related to civil law. Specifically, the legislature considered bills regarding consumer fraud, internet privacy, free-speech lawsuits, damages, child hearsay exceptions, and equal pay.
This issue brief provides an overview of state laws related to pet animal facilities. These facilities are licensed and regulated under the Colorado Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA).
During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly considered a number of measures related to estate documents, public guardians, and trusts.
This issue brief discusses the history of blockchain technology, its current and future applications, and recently proposed Colorado legislation related to this technology.
Summary report for the Pension Review Commission.
Summary report for the Legislative Oversight Committee Concerning the Treatment of Persons with Mental Health Disorders in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice System.
Final Report to the Colorado General Assembly by the Pension Review Commission.
Final Report to the Colorado General Assembly by the Treatment of Persons With Mental Health Disorders in the Criminal Justice System Committee.