S_JUD_2025A 01/08/2025 01:09:47 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON JOINT JUDICIARY

Date

01/08/2025

Attendance
Armagost	*
Bacon	X
Caldwell	*
Carter	X
Clifford	X
Daugherty	X
Espenoza	X
Frizell	E
Garcia	*
Keltie	X
Roberts	X
Soper	X
Weissman	X
Zokaie	*
Mabrey	X
Gonzales J.	X

Time

01:09:47 PM to 05:31:06 PM

Place

Old Supreme Court

This Meeting was called to order by

Gonzales J.

This Report was prepared by

Juliann Jenson

Hearing Items	Action Taken
hOffice of the State Auditor Presentation	Committee Discussion Only
hDepartment of Law Presentation	Committee Discussion Only
hColorado Access to Justice Presentation	Committee Discussion Only
hDepartment of Public Safety Presentation	Committee Discussion Only

Office of the State Auditor Presentation - Committee Discussion Only


	01:10:35 PM	Senator Gonzales, Chair, made opening remarks. Michelle Colin, Deputy State Auditor, provided an update on recent audits and status of outstanding audit recommendations. Trey Standley, Audit Manager, discussed the Office of the State Public Defender audit. He highlighted findings about workload, training, and application decisions. Committee members asked questions about recent budget increases and impact on the Public Defender's Office.
	01:21:45 PM	Mr. Standley continued with outstanding audit recommendations not yet fully implemented. Committee members asked questions about the Office of Information Technology and outstanding recommendations. Ferminia Herbert, Audit Manager, discussed high priority recommendations at the Colorado Department of Public Safety regarding federal government reporting requirements for disaster relief grants.

Department of Law Presentation - Committee Discussion Only


	01:33:29 PM	Phil Weiser, Attorney General, gave an overview of Department of Law duties and responsibilities. Topics discussed included voter rights, health care, law enforcement grant funding, Police Officer Standards and Training, consumer protection, opioid crisis, housing, water, forever chemicals, and providing support to District Attorney's Offices across the state. Committee members asked questions about data breaches at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Colorado River Compact. Discussion followed about the Colorado River and water resources.
	01:58:54 PM	Committee members asked questions about the opioid and Jewel settlement accounts and disbursement of grant funds. Discussion ensued about how to make the funds more accessible. Further discussion was had about state water resources and rights, as well as attorney staffing levels. Colorado priorities were also brought up in relation to the upcoming new federal administration.
	02:11:59 PM	Committee questions and discussion focused on consumer protection and mergers.
	02:16:55 PM	Additional questions were raised about the consent decree between the City of Aurora and the Attorney General's Office to address issues with the Aurora Police Department. Discussion returned to the Colorado River, water litigation, and staffing levels. Committee members asked about auto theft, overdose deaths, and reducing crime generally.
	02:27:46 PM	Committee members asked about the false claims unit and possible cuts to the Department of Law budget. Discussion followed about a review of cash fund programs. Further questions were asked about consumer protection efforts. Discussion followed about protecting state funds.
	02:36:50 PM	Committee members asked about the Attorney General's efforts to prevent mid and dis-information pursuant to Senate Bill 24-084. Kelsie Harper, representing themself, raised questions to the Attorney General.

Colorado Access to Justice Presentation - Committee Discussion Only


	02:54:31 PM	Elisa Overall, Executive Director of Colorado Access to Justice, provided an overview of the organization and its mission. The presentation slide deck may be viewed here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/atjc_smart_act_hearing_presentation_2025.pdf Committee members asked questions about legal support on civil matters and social impacts. Further questions were asked about wait time to see a civil judge.
	03:12:27 PM	Committee members asked about licensed para professionals, and the Equal Justice Fund.

Department of Public Safety Presentation - Committee Discussion Only


	03:15:18 PM	Stan Hilkey, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Safety (CDPS), provided an overview of overview of CDPS, including its mission and vision, budget request, and legislative agenda, among other topics. Jana Locke, Deputy Director, discussed the duties of the Executive Director's Office.
	03:35:15 PM	Chief Matt Packard, Colorado State Patrol (CSP), proceeded to explain the duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments of CSP. Chris Schaeffer, Director, Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), discussed the bureau's responsibilities and operational highlights. Dr. Michael Lunn, Director, Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), provided an overview of the DCJ, including its accomplishments and goals. Kevin Klein, Director, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, explained the division's related duties and accomplishments. Chief Mike Morgan, Director, Division of Fire Prevention and Control, discussed wildland fire response and other duties of the division. The CDPS presentation slide deck may be viewed here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/cdps_smart_act_slides_2025_1.pdf
	04:13:42 PM	Miranda Spencer, representing themself, testified about the rape test kit backlog at CBI. Kelsey Harbert, representing themself, testified about the backlog of rape test kits at CBI. Committee members asked the witnesses questions.
	04:24:15 PM	Committee members asked CDPS staff about the lab analyst who manipulated DNA data, associated costs, and safeguards. Discussion followed about the impact on rape test kit processing. Committee members asked questions about retesting DNA cases with anomalies. Discussion followed about scientist training, and committee members brought up outsourcing to alleviate backlogs.
	04:38:17 PM	Discussion ensued about policies to assist with the backlog. Committee members asked about how long it takes to process a rape test kit.
	04:49:57 PM	Discussion continued about bills or policies to help with the backlog and funding. Committee members asked about notifying individuals who were impacted by the DNA manipulation.
	05:02:49 PM	Conversation turned to wire fraud and what CBI is doing to combat it. Other questions were raised about Proposition 130, funding for law enforcement.
	05:14:49 PM	Committee members asked questions about federal funds and grant oversight.
	05:28:11 PM	Senator Gonzales made closing remarks.

05:31:06 PM

The committee adjourned.

Office of the State Auditor Presentation - Committee Discussion Only

Department of Law Presentation - Committee Discussion Only

Colorado Access to Justice Presentation - Committee Discussion Only

Department of Public Safety Presentation - Committee Discussion Only

Colorado General Assembly