Colorado General AssemblyToggle Main Menu
Agency NameToggle Agency Menu

H_JUD_2025A 03/19/2025 03:24:21 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date 03/19/2025
Attendance
Armagost X
Bacon X
Caldwell X
Clifford X
Espenoza X
Garcia *
Keltie X
Soper X
Zokaie X
Carter *
Mabrey X
Time 03:24:21 PM to 12:33:12 AM
Place HCR 0107
This Meeting was called to order by Mabrey
This Report was prepared by Bo Pogue
Hearing Items Action Taken
SB25-129 Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole
SB25-060 Referred to the Committee of the Whole
HB25-1206 Committee Discussion Only

SB25-129 - Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole

03:26:53 PM  
The committee was
called to order.  A quorum was present.  Representatives Joseph
and McCormick, prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 25-129. The bill strengthens
protections for legally protected health care activity, including gender-affirming
and reproductive health care. Representative Joseph explained the effect
of the bill and discussed its need. Representative McCormick provided additional
input on the merits of the legislation. Representative Joseph responded
to questions regarding the impact of the bill on actions taken in other
states
03:32:32 PM  
Dr. Roy Eappen, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Scott Horak, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Steven Foley, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Foley responded to questions
regarding the effect of not putting a physician's name on a prescription
03:46:30 PM  
Lauren Smith, representing
Soul 2 Soul Sisters, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Jax Gonzalez,
representing One Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Vanessa Martinez,
representing Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive
Rights (COLOR), testified in support of the bill.
03:53:33 PM  
Dr. Patrick Hunter,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Michael
Laidlaw, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr.
Arthur de Lorimier, representing themself, testified in opposition to the
bill. Dr. Bruce Hermann, representing themself, testified in opposition
to the bill. Dr. Greg Marchand MD FACS FACOG, representing themself, testified
in opposition to the bill. Dr. Travis Morrell, representing themself, testified
in a neutral position on the bill.
04:13:13 PM  
Ms. Jeany Rush, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Erin Lee, representing themself,
testified in opposition to the bill. Sven Scharpen, representing themself,
testified in opposition to the bill. Kristen Muzzy, representing themself,
testified in opposition to the bill. Mrs. Erin Meschke, representing themself,
testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Jody Nickerson, representing themself,
testified in opposition to the bill.
04:31:56 PM  
Maggie Gomez, representing
State Innovation Exchange Action, testified in support of the bill. Mrs.
Kiera Hatton, representing Cobalt, testified in support of the bill. Dr.
Shaunti Meyer, representing Boulder Valley Health Center, testified in
support of the bill.
04:40:58 PM  
Dr. Kris Kaliebe,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Kaliebe
responded to questions regarding his testimony, and self-harm. Written
testimony may be found in Attachment A.
04:56:36 PM  
Representative Joseph
explained the effect of amendment L.006 (Attachment B). Representative
McCormick responded to questions about the amendment.


04:58:59 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.006 (Attachment B)
Moved Espenoza
Seconded Garcia
Armagost
Bacon
Caldwell
Clifford
Espenoza
Garcia
Keltie
Soper
Zokaie
Carter
Mabrey
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
05:00:22 PM  
Representative Joseph
explained the effect of amendment L.009 (Attachment C).  Shelby Ross,
Office of Legislative Legal Services, responded to questions about a certain
grammar issue impacted by the amendment.


05:07:52 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.009 (Attachment C)
Moved Carter
Seconded Garcia
Armagost
Bacon
Caldwell
Clifford
Espenoza
Garcia
Keltie
Soper
Zokaie
Carter
Mabrey
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
05:09:11 PM  
Representative Joseph
provided closing remarks in support of SB 25-129. Various committee members
provided their positions on the bill.


05:22:27 PM
 Motion Refer Senate Bill 25-129, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Carter
Seconded Zokaie
Armagost No
Bacon Yes
Caldwell No
Clifford Yes
Espenoza Yes
Garcia Yes
Keltie No
Soper No
Zokaie Yes
Carter Yes
Mabrey Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 4   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB25-060 - Referred to the Committee of the Whole
05:22:36 PM  
Representatives Clifford
and Carter, prime sponsors. presented Senate Bill 25-060. The bill modifies
the existing offense of obstructing government operations by including
repeated emergency calls without a justifiable basis. Representative Clifford
explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative
Carter provided additional input on the merits of the bill. Discussion
ensued regarding the need for the legislation, and current law with respect
to obstructing government operations. Discussion followed regarding some
forthcoming amendments, and the crime levels in SB 25-060.
06:07:33 PM  
Claire Polini, representing
Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms.
Margaret Baker, representing Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in
opposition to the bill. Discussion ensued regarding the circumstances surrounding
arrest for obstruction of justice under current law.
06:15:55 PM  
Ms. Tina Buneta,
representing Aurora911, testified in support of the bill. Jeff Streeter,
representing Jeffcom 911, testified in support of the bill. Deputy Chief
Reeves, representing Colorado Association of the Chiefs of Police, testified
in support of the bill. Mr. Jeremy Bussell, representing Colorado State
Patrol, testified in support of the bill.



Discussion ensued
regarding prosecutions for abusive 911 calls, and the need for SB 25-060.
Discussion followed regarding the definition of certain terms, and how
911 calls impact investigations. Discussion turned to ways to get serial
abusers to stop calling 911, and the impact of 911 misuse on the system
and operators.
06:58:19 PM  
Mr. Carl Stephens,
representing Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority, testified
in support of the bill. Mr. Joseph Deras, representing Garfield County
Emergency Communications Authority, testified in support of the bill. Mr.
Kris Stewart, representing Delta County Emergency Manager, testified in
support of the bill. Ms. Haley Pittman, representing Larimer Emergency
Telephone Authority, testified in support of the bill.



Discussion ensued
regarding some forthcoming amendments.
07:10:23 PM  
Representative Carter
explained the effect of amendment L.006 (Attachment D).


07:12:53 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.006 (Attachment D)
Moved Carter
Seconded Bacon
Armagost No
Bacon Yes
Caldwell No
Clifford Yes
Espenoza No
Garcia Excused
Keltie No
Soper No
Zokaie Yes
Carter Yes
Mabrey Yes
YES: 5   NO: 5   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  FAIL
07:12:55 PM  
Representatives Clifford
and Carter provided closing remarks in support of SB 25-060. Various committee
members provided their positions on the bill.


07:27:21 PM
 Motion Refer Senate Bill 25-060 to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Clifford
Seconded Keltie
Armagost Yes
Bacon No
Caldwell Yes
Clifford Yes
Espenoza Yes
Garcia No
Keltie Yes
Soper Yes
Zokaie No
Carter No
Mabrey Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 4   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB25-1206 - Committee Discussion Only
07:27:30 PM  
The committee recessed.
07:38:57 PM  
The committee returned
to order.  Representatives Carter and Bacon, prime sponsors, presented
House Bill 25-1206. The bill changes the classification for certain crimes
with components of extreme indifference. Representative Carter explained
the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Bacon provided
further input on the merits of the legislation. Discussion ensued regarding
the scope of the bill, and the potential impact of the bill on crime rates.
Discussion followed regarding how a number of hypothetical fact patterns
would be treated by the bill.
08:21:22 PM  
Tristan Gorman, representing
Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support of the bill. Britta
Kruse, representing Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support
of the bill. Benjamin Collett, representing Colorado Criminal Defense Bar,
testified in support of the bill.



Discussion ensued
regarding charges levied under HB 25-1206 in certain circumstances as compared
to current law, and the genesis of the bill. Discussion followed regarding
a number of fact patterns and how they would fall under the bill, and the
logic behind various crime classifications impacted by the bill.
09:04:18 PM  
Bryan Rivera, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Justis White, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Sharon Rivera, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Joyce Phillips, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Felecia Castro, representing
themself, testified in opposition to HB 25-1206.



Discussion ensued
regarding the status of litigation for the crimes committed against the
witnesses.
09:24:26 PM  
Alexis King, representing
1st Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the
bill. Mr. Michael Dougherty, representing Colorado District Attorney Council
and District Attorney's Office, 20th JD, testified in opposition to the
bill. Michael Allen, representing 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office,
testified in opposition to the bill. Michael Anderson, representing themself,
testified in opposition to the bill.



D.A. Dougherty
responded to questions regarding the work of the Colorado Commission on
Criminal and Juvenile Justice on certain issues. D.A. King responded to
questions regarding reckless vehicular homicide. D.A. Allen responded to
questions about a set of crimes he prosecuted. Discussion returned to a
criminal event that D.A. King prosecuted. Discussion ensued regarding how
certain fact patterns line up with available charges under current law,
and some criminal prosecutions that illustrate this. Mr. Anderson returned
to his testimony.  D.A. Allen responded to questions regarding how
a criminal event would have been charged under HB 25-1206. Discussion ensued
on this point.
10:26:12 PM  
Ms. Tally Zuckerman,
representing Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support of the
bill. Mr. Jim Castle, representing Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified
in support of the bill. Jeri Shepherd, representing Colorado Criminal Defense
Bar, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Jonathan Reppucci, representing
Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Zuckerman
responded to questions regarding how extreme indifference crimes are charged.
Mr. Castle responded to questions regarding how certain crimes are charged
in other states. Ms. Zuckerman responded to questions regarding charging
youth with extreme indifference crimes. Mr. Castle responded to questions
regarding penalties associated with the various levels of charges impacted
by HB 25-1206.  Ms. Shepherd responded to questions regarding sentence
reconsideration.
11:01:45 PM  
John Walsh, representing
the 2nd Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to
the bill. Gordon McLaughlin, representing the 8th Judicial District Attorney's
Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Brian Mason, representing
the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to
the bill. Mr. Stan Hilkey, representing the Colorado Department of Public
Safety, testified in opposition to the bill.



Discussion ensued
regarding charges available under certain fact patterns, and how Colorado's
criminal code compares to other states in the area of crimes impacted by
HB 25-1206. Discussion followed regarding the assault component of the
bill. Discussion returned to charges under certain fact patterns, and the
proper charging range in certain situations. Discussion turned to the stakeholding
process for the bill.
11:51:46 PM  
Mr. Fran Lanzer,
representing Mothers Against Drunk Driving, testified in opposition to
the bill. Ms. Clara Shelton, representing themself, testified in opposition
to the bill. Deputy Chief Todd Reeves, representing Colorado Association
of the Chiefs of Police, testified in opposition to the bill. Darcy Kofol,
representing the 23rd Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in
opposition to the bill. Mr. Travis Sides, representing District Attorney,
13th Judicial District, testified in opposition to the bill.
12:05:16 AM  
Erika Unger, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. James Karbach, representing
Colo. St. Pub. Defender, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Karbach
responded to questions regarding the difference between two charges from
a criminal defense perspective. Discussion ensued regarding charging options
with respect to extreme indifference.
12:05:17 AM  
Written testimony may be found in Attachment E.
12:30:06 AM  
Representative Mabrey laid over HB 25-1206 for future action and potential limited testimony.


12:33:12 AM   The committee adjourned.






The effective date for bills enacted without a safety clause is August 6, 2025, if the General Assembly adjourns sine die on May 7, 2025 (unless otherwise specified). Details

Request for Proposal for the COYAC Contract. Details

Our website is currently undergoing a redesign in order to provide a better experience for everyone. View the Beta site