H_JUD_2025A 02/11/2025 01:36:50 PM Committee Summary

Mr. James Karbach, representing Colo. St. Pub. Defender, testified in support of the bill. Natalie Perez, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Terry Reeves, representing Crowley County Sheriff's Office, testified in support of the bill. Kyle Giddings, representing the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, testified in support of HB 25-1116. Ms. Erin Meschke, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Bri Buentello, representing Stand for Children Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



Discussion ensued regarding the fiscal impact of the bill.

Representative Armagost explained the effect of amendment L.001 (Attachment A). Discussion ensued regarding the amendment. Mr. Karbach returned to address questions about the amendment.

Representatives Bacon and Armagost provided closing remarks in support of HB 25-1116.

Representatives R. Stewart and Soper, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 25-1098, concerning establishing an automated protection order victim notification system in the Division of Criminal Justice. Representative Stewart explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Soper provided additional input on the bill as amended by Amendment L.001 (Attachment B), a strike-below amendment. Discussion ensued regarding altering or terminating a protection order under the bill and liability issues in the amendment. Discussion followed regarding the fiscal impact of the bill.

Mr. Ian Escalante, representing Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Escalante responded to questions regarding the ability to purchase a firearm when a person is subject to a protection order, and crimes committed when attempting to do so.

A representative
from VINE (Victim Information and Notification Every Day), testified in
support of HB 25-1098. Kevin McKinney, representing Equifax, testified
in support of the bill. Shalyn Kettering, representing Department of Law,
testified in support of the bill.



Discussion ensued
regarding contracting for services under the bill.

David Frost, representing
Cova/ CVFJ, testified in support of the bill. Courtney Sutton, representing
Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance (COVA), testified in support
of the bill. Ms. Erin Meschke, representing themself, testified in support
of the bill. Onnastasia Cole, representing Colorado Coalition Against Sexual
Assault, testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Sutton responded
to questions regarding the operation of protection orders.

Representatives Soper and Stewart provided closing remarks in support of HB 25-1098. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.

Marilyn Gore, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Leta  Behrens,
representing Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, testified in opposition to
the bill. Mr. Bruce Parker, representing Rocky Mountain Equality, testified
in opposition to the bill. Stevie White, representing themself, testified
in opposition to the bill. Ms. Dawn Fritz, representing Colorado PTA, testified
in opposition to the bill. Ms. Tash Berwick, representing New Era Colorado,
testified in opposition to the bill. Mariah Guerrero, representing Colorado
Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights, testified
in opposition to the bill. Dr. Jax Gonzalez, representing One Colorado,
testified in opposition to the bill.



Discussion ensued
regarding the impact of certain legislation.

Kerry Holliday, representing themself, testified in opposition to HB 25-1145.

Ms. Kara Allison,
representing League of Extraordinary Genders Support Group, testified in
opposition to the bill.



Written testimony
about the bill is in Attachment D.

No amendments were offered to HB 25-1145. Representative Bottoms provided closing remarks in support of the bill. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.