S_JUD_2025A 01/13/2025 01:04:12 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON JOINT JUDICIARY

Date

01/13/2025

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

Time

01:04:12 PM to 05:07:52 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
hJudicial Branch Presentation	Committee Discussion Only
hCommission on Judicial Discipline Presentation	Committee Discussion Only
hOffice of the Alternate Defense Counsel Presentation	Committee Discussion Only
hOffice of the State Public Defender Presentation	Committee Discussion Only

Judicial Branch Presentation - Committee Discussion Only


	01:04:56 PM	Senator Gonzales, Chair, called the meeting to order. Chief Justice Monica Marquez began the Judicial Branch SMART Act presentation. She provided an overview of the Judicial Branch and discussed diversifying Colorado's bench, turnover, the new 23rd Judicial District, Ralph Carr Judicial Center mitigation and repair, judicial discipline and Amendment H, workplace culture, and the judicial education initiative. Steve Vasconcellos, State Court Administrator, discussed Senate Bill 25-024, to increase the number of judges over a two-year period. Mr. Vasconcellos also explained the Judicial Branch budget request which included court security, case management system and virtual hearing updates, courtroom disruptor prevention efforts, probation, and the collections program and associated operating costs. The Judicial Branch presentation slide deck is posted here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/jud_smart_011325.pdf
	01:58:35 PM	Committee members asked questions about financial disclosure statements and emergency guardianship hearings. Additional questions were raised about how other states conduct virtual courtroom proceedings, as well as measures to retain diverse judges. Further inquiries were made about technological improvements and associated timelines. Committee discussion ensued about courtroom disruptors and additional probation staff.
	02:12:10 PM	Committee members asked questions about using private probation services. Additional inquiries were raised about management training, the new ombuds office, judicial domestic violence and child abuse training, and the collections department. Committee discussion ensued about the budget and efficiencies, family court and guardianship, new software, and the interface with the Commission on Judicial Discipline.
	02:38:52 PM	Mr. Jeremy Korgan, representing themself, testified about transparency and accountability in the Judicial Branch.

Commission on Judicial Discipline Presentation - Committee Discussion Only


	02:43:48 PM	Jim Carpenter, Vice-Chair of the Commission on Judicial Discipline, provided an update on the Commission's activities. Anne Mangiardi, Executive Director of the Commission on Judicial Discipline, discussed changes made in Amendment H, financial disclosures, requests for evaluations, and other related topics. The Commission on Judicial Discipline presentation slide deck is posted here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/2025_ccjd_smart_act_presentation_final.pdf
	03:01:52 PM	Committee members asked questions about jurisdiction over magistrate judges. Further questions were asked about protections for staff who make a complaint and whistleblowers. Committee discussion continued about patterns of misconduct and expectations.
	03:13:46 PM	Committee discussion turned to the annual report, Amendment H, and judicial performance evaluations.

Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel Presentation - Committee Discussion Only


	03:34:45 PM	Lindy Frolich, Executive Director of the Alternate Defense Counsel (ADC), described the mission and duties of the organization. Darren Cantor, Deputy Director, discussed youth defense. Erin Campbell, Evaluation and Training Coordinator, discussed competency and other training. The ADC presentation slide deck may be viewed here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/oadc_-_smart_act_handouts_01-13-25.pdf
	04:00:13 PM	Committee members asked questions about the workload and the budget. Discussion turned to the Colorado Bureau of Investigations and the DNA manipulated post conviction cases at the Colorado Bureau of Investigations (CBI).
	04:14:14 PM	Committee members asked about the use of Artificial Intelligence, as well as the average cost per case.

Office of the State Public Defender Presentation - Committee Discussion Only


	04:18:05 PM	Megan Ring, Colorado State Public Defender, gave the committee an overview of the Office of the State Public Defender, including its budget request. The Public Defender Office presentation may be viewed here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/final_fy25-26_ospd_joint_judiciary_hearing_document_1.pdf Committee members asked questions about the costs associated with travel and visiting correctional facilities. Discussion turned to the budget request and voluntary cuts. Committee members brought up the workload study and impacts on the Public Defender's Office if a bill passes to increase the number of judges.
	04:41:30 PM	Committee members asked about citizenship and right to representation. More discussion about the budget ensued and questions were asked about DNA manipulation at CBI.
	04:56:13 PM	Committee members asked about changes in competency policy to alleviate the wait list.
	04:59:09 PM	Justyna Madenska, representing themself, testified about the Alternate Defense Counsel. Justyna Madenska, representing themself, testified about the Office of the State Public Defender.

05:07:52 PM

The committee adjourned.

Judicial Branch Presentation - Committee Discussion Only

Commission on Judicial Discipline Presentation - Committee Discussion Only

Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel Presentation - Committee Discussion Only

Office of the State Public Defender Presentation - Committee Discussion Only

Colorado General Assembly