S_JUD_2025A 01/14/2025 09:46:46 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON JOINT JUDICIARY

Date

01/14/2025

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

Time

09:46:46 AM to 05:45:16 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
hJoint Budget Committee Briefing	Committee Discussion Only
hChild Protection Ombudsman Presentation	Committee Discussion Only
hOffice of the Child's Representative Presentation	Committee Discussion Only
hState Board of Parole Presentation	Committee Discussion Only
hDepartment of Corrections Presentation	Committee Discussion Only
hLegislation Inside Presentation	Committee Discussion Only

Joint Budget Committee Briefing - Committee Discussion Only


	09:48:22 AM	Senator Gonzales, Chair, called the meeting to order. Representative Bird, Vice-Chair of the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), made opening remarks and introduced the JBC members in attendance. Senator Amabile discussed the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC) budget request. Committee discussion ensued about beds, medical caseloads, and population forecasts. Further clarifying questions were asked about the budget.
	09:55:55 AM	Senator Amabile moved to the Judicial Branch budget. She discussed budget items related to new judges, costs associated for collecting fees and fines, and absorbing Aurora municipal court domestic violence cases. Committee members asked related questions and also brought up guardianship cases.
	10:03:31 AM	Joint Budget Committee members emphasized budgetary constraints. Conversation turned to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, manipulated DNA tests,associated costs, and rape test kit backlogs.
	10:13:23 AM	Senator Amabile next briefed the committee on the Department of Law budget request, followed by the Department of Public Safety. Committee discussion ensued about the budget process, including priorities and efficiencies.
	10:29:44 AM	Committee members discussed the Division of Youth Services in the Colorado Department of Health and Human Services and related services. Joint Budget Committee members gave closing remarks.

Child Protection Ombudsman Presentation - Committee Discussion Only


	10:34:18 AM	Stephanie Villafuerte, Child Protection Ombudsman, gave an overview of the Office of the Colorado Child Protection Ombudsman. The presentation may be found at this link: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/cpo-2025_smart_act_presentation.pdf. Committee members asked questions about the office and its budget. Further questions were raised about unaccompanied minors.
	11:06:39 AM	Mr. Jeremy Korgan, representing themself, discussed the Child Protection Omsbudsman. He discussed accountability and transparency.

Office of the Child's Representative Presentation - Committee Discussion Only


	11:11:26 AM	Sheri Danz, Deputy Director, gave an overview of the Office of the Child's Representative. The presentation slides may be viewed here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/smart_presentation_to_joint_judiciary_2025_1.pdf Ashley Chase, Staff Attorney and Legislative Liaison, discussed rights for foster care in youth.
	11:44:38 AM	Committee members asked questions about federal immigration policies, contract attorney rates, dependency filings, and case management and billing systems.
	12:01:05 PM	Mr. Jeremy Korgan, representing themself, testified about the Office of the Child's Representative. He discussed fiduciary roles and responsibilities.

State Board of Parole Presentation - Committee Discussion Only


	12:05:56 PM	Randi Moore, Chair of the State Board of Parole, and Mike Tessean, Parole Board Director, discussed the the primary functions of the Parole Board. The Parole Board presentation is posted here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/colorado_state_board_of_parole_presentation-jjc-_1-14-25.pdf
	01:34:58 PM	Committee members asked questions about parole planning and compassionate release. Discussion followed about violent crime and recidivism. Further questions were raised about discretionary release, low level crimes, and risk factors. Additional discussion ensued about AWOL and high risk parolees.
	02:01:18 PM	Committee discussion ensued about information sharing between agencies, staffing, community corrections, rehabilitative programming, protective factors, and discretionary parole.
	02:12:34 PM	Additional questions were asked about Proposition 128 and impact on parole. Compassionate release was also discussed.

Department of Corrections Presentation - Committee Discussion Only


	02:28:51 PM	Andre Stancil, Executive Director, made staff introductions and provided a brief overview of the duties and responsibilities of the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC). The DOC presentation may be viewed here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/cdoc_2025_smart_act_presentation_1.pdf Michele Cottingham, Director of Human Resources, discussed staffing and vacancy rates. Dave Wolfsgruber, Director of Adult Parole, discussed parole and recidivism. Adrienne Sanchez, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs, discussed a strategic plans and legislative agendas.
	02:51:36 PM	Alondra Gonzales, Communications Director, discussed DEI efforts. Ashley Clark, Director of Finance and Administration, discussed budget items. Melissa Smith, Director of Prison Operations, discussed the implementation of SB23-067, particpatnt facilitated reidivism reduction program.
	03:11:09 PM	Mitch Karstens, Deputy Director of Finance and Administration, discussed prison projections. Lacy Monday, Director, Clinical and Correctional Services, discussed pharmacy pricing. Mitch Karstens, Chief Financial Officer, discussed inside work programming. Committee members asked questions about sex offender treatment.
	03:26:13 PM	Committee members asked questions about visitation, health care, recidivism, and sex offender treatment providers.
	03:42:47 PM	Further discussion followed about about health care co-pays, Medicaid enrollment, parole absconders, alternative sentences, outside the walls programs, virtual training, broadband, workforce preparedness, telemedicine, and re-entry.
	04:11:06 PM	Committee discussion continued about DOC work requirements and staffing.
	04:15:56 PM	Mr. Jeremy Korgan, representing themself, provided public comment about the Department of Corrections. Justyna Madenska, representing themself, provided public comment about the Department of Corrections.

Legislation Inside Presentation - Committee Discussion Only


	04:24:23 PM	Jeanne Segil, Staff Attorney, and Jamie Ray, Legal Fellow, from the Korey Wise Innocence Project discussed Legislation Inside. The Legislation Inside presentation may be found here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/smart_act_legislation_inside_report_.pdf An individual incarcerated at DOC spoke about the program. A representative from the Denver Reception and Diagnostic Center and Women's Correctional Facilty discussed their involvement with Legislation Inside. Mr. Woods walked the committee through legislative considerations.
	05:16:51 PM	The incarcertated individuals continued to present their legislative ideas.
	05:35:44 PM	Ms. Ray made closing comments. Committee members asked questions about hygiene products and programming costs. The Chair made closing remarks.

05:45:16 PM

The committee adjourned.