I_OpioidSubstance_2023A 10/30/2023 09:11:05 AM Committee Summary

A panel of Glenn A. Tapia, Director of Probation Services, Dana Wilks, Deputy Director of Probation Services, and Lori Griffith, Chief Probation Officer for the 23rd Judicial District, testified to the committee.

The panel went over the history of probation legislation, including its purpose and statutory standards.

The panel went over the data of probation across the state.

The panel continued to talk about systems they use and the data behind them for parole and recidivism.

The committee asked about sentencing. The panel stated they worked with the courts for determining treatment.

The committee asked about probation staff and drug use. The panel stated that probation staff's experiences were garnered for the data, and that narcan at public sites have been used.

A panel of Katie Ruske, Manager of the Office of Community Corrections, and Valarie Schamper, Deputy Manager of the Office of Community Corrections, testified to the committee.

The panel went over the role of community corrections and the different types of assessments administered by the systems. The panel gave an overview of Medical Assisted Treatments (MAT) in community corrections.

The panel went over reasons for termination for regular residential clients.

The panel spoke on overdose deaths and narcan.

A panel of Dr. Jessica Krueger, MAT Physician, Leonard E. Woodson, Assistant Director of Clinical Services, Jessica Bertolas, Assistant Director of the Transitional Services Unit, and Nicole M. Lewis, Transitional Services Unit Manager testified.

The panel went over MAT treatment and the scope of opioid medications in the Department of Corrections (CDOC). The committee asked about long acting injectables for helping combat overdoses. The panel went over a variety of approaches and traige efforts to get the best and longest lasting care.

The panel went over treatment tracks for MAT in the Department of Corrections.

The panel went over treatment tracks for MAT and the statistics of medication in the CDOC.

The panel went over a new project based on Suboxone.

The panel talked about outreach efforts including sober living, MAT assistance, and Medicaid enrollment.

Dorothy Jackson, 5280 High School, spoke about the focus of 5280 High School and gave background information about the program. She shared photos from different activities at the school involving the students and described different projects they've worked on in the past. She spoke about funding and the connection between the work the school does and work force development.

They spoke about the funding needed to continue the work of the high school and gave an overview of their staffing model. She spoke about staff burnout and trouble with covering all bases. She spoke about the different needs and areas for improvement in the program that funding is needed to improve. She compared staff to student ratios at 5280 with other schools in the area.

Benjamin Leone, 5280 High School, spoke about his experience in recovery and how the school has helped. He also spoke about the restrictions due to lack of funding. He raised concerns that 5280 may need to start turning people away if there isn't more funding.

Clara Leone, 5280 High School, spoke about the importance of 5280 High School for their recovery. They spoke about how as the size of the school has grown it's become more difficult to receive the attention and resources as they've received a heavier work load.

The students from 5280 High School spoke about their decision to switch schools. They spoke about the differences after making the change and the benefits from it.

Ms. Jackson answered questions regarding enrollment numbers and goals for 5280. Members of the committee thanked the students for their testimony today. The students answered a question about what differentiates 5280 from other schools in the state.

Dr. Joseph Silva, Generation Schools Network, spoke about their work with 5280 High School as well as the work they do with other schools as well. He shared recommendations and spoke about creating a students bill of rights. He spoke about wanting to improve the justice-engaged student journey.

The committee recessed for lunch.

The committee came back to order.

Denise Minchoni and Angela Bonaguidi, representing COTOD, testified in opposition of proposed bill #2. Members of the committee asked questions clarifying which sections they oppose in the proposed bill.
Richard Woodruff, representing themselves, testified in favor of the prevention center bill.

Shawn Hill, representing The Greater Harlem Coalition, shared information with the committee about Harlem after opening a supervised injection site. Debra Funston, representing the Colorado Association of the Chiefs of Police, testified against overdose prevention centers. Representative Epps discussed the presentation from The Greater Harlem Coalition and asked Chief Funston if they would like to be connected to resources on the matter.

Cyndi Dodds, representing Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council and SummitStone Health Partners, testified.
Mila Long, representing Denver Recovery Group LLC, testified in opposition to sections of proposed bill 2.
Dr. Lesley Brooks, representing Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council and Summitstone Health Partners, testified in support of the treatment bill.
Trina Faatz, representing Parent and Peer Recovery, testified in support of the treatment bill.

Yelana Love, Office of Legislative Legal Services, asked the committee for permission for technical changes and clarified information their office will need for bill draft requests that are approved.

Representative deGruy Kennedy explained Amendment 1.

Members of the committee commented on the bill.

Senators Jaquez Lewis and Priola in the Senate and Representatives Young and Epps as prime sponsors with the bill beginning in the Senate.

Members of the committee commented on the stakeholding for this amendment.

Terry Scandling, Judicial Department, spoke on Amendment 7 to the committee.

Representative deGruy Kennedy and Epps as co-prime in the house, Senator Priola as prime sponsor in the Senate. Starts in the house. Representative Young and Senator Jaquez Lewis as cosponsors.

Committee members asked questions and discussed Amendment 5 (Attachment Y).

The committee took a brief recess.

The committee came to order. Members of the committee commented their thoughts on Amendment 3 (Attachment Z) and concerns with funding.

Representative deGruy Kennedy and Lynch and Senator Priola as prime sponsors with the bill starting in the Senate. Representative Epps and Senator Jaquez Lewis were named cosponsors.

Chair deGruy Kennedy thanked the committee, staff, and stakeholders for their work this interim.

Chair deGruy Kennedy spoke about the Overdose Prevention Centers bill proposal. He stated that he was informed by the Governor's office that this proposal would be vetoed.

Members of the committee gave remarks on the proposed bill.