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S_JUD_2025A 01/29/2025 01:11:39 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON JOINT JUDICIARY
Date 01/29/2025
Attendance
Armagost X
Bacon *
Ball X
Caldwell X
Carson X
Carter X
Clifford X
Daugherty E
Espenoza X
Frizell *
Garcia *
Keltie X
Roberts X
Soper *
Weissman X
Zokaie X
Mabrey X
Gonzales J. X
Time 01:11:39 PM to 04:14:22 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
Behavioral Health Administration Presentation Committee Discussion Only
Sex Offender Management Board Presentation Committee Discussion Only
Domestic Violence Offender Management Board Presentation Committee Discussion Only
Prison Population Projections from Legislative Council Staff Committee Discussion Only

Behavioral Health Administration Presentation - Committee Discussion Only
01:11:53 PM  
Senator Gonzales,
Chair, made opening remarks.



Danette Smith,
Commissioner, provided a brief overview of the Behavioral Health Administration
(BHA).



Ryan Templeton,
Division Director, Policy and External Affairs, discussed BHA grant programs.



The BHA presentation
slide deck may be viewed here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/judiciary_2025_smart_act_presentation.pptx_.pdf.



Committee members
asked questions about the BHA fentanyl study and associated recommendations.
 Further questions were asked about the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion
(LEAD) program.  Conversation turned to the budget.



Sex Offender Management Board Presentation - Committee Discussion Only
01:36:10 PM  

Katie Abeyta, Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB) Member, provided an overview and history of the SOMB.  The SOMB presentation may be be viewed at this link:https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/office_of_domestic_violence_and_sex_off.pdf.



She answered committee questions about treatment providers and polygraphs.



Raechel Alderete, SOMB Program Coordinator, discussed board research projects and reports.



Dr. Rachael Collie, SOMB Researcher and Statistical Analyst, discussed the 2025 Recidivism and Desistance Outcomes Project and distributed a related fact sheet (Attachment A).



Jesse Hansen, Program Coordinator, Office of Domestic Violence and Sex Offender Management, discussed the above referenced report and goals of the office.
02:00:32 PM  
Committee members
asked questions about communication and data sharing between the SOMB and
the Parole Board. Further questions were raised about SOMB standards and
guidelines, determinate and indeterminate sentences, and competency.  Discussion
followed about the tension between risk factors and state laws.
02:15:36 PM  
Discussion continued
about resources and sex offender treatment providers. The committee circled
back to indeterminate sentences and community-based treatment options.
02:29:06 PM  
Committee discussion
continued about determinate and indeterminate sentences.  Questions
were raised about research projects and risk assessment instruments.
02:33:34 PM  
Mr. Taber Powers,
representing themself, testified about the SOMB.



Ms. Jessica Dotter,
representing Colorado District Attorneys' Council, testified about the
SOMB.



Roger Kincade,
representing Advocates for Chang, testified about the SOMB and distributed
a handout of his remarks (Attachment B).



Ms. Laurie Kepros,
representing Office of the State Public Defender, testified about the SOMB.



Ms. Lauren Rivas,
representing themself, testified about the SOMB.
02:52:22 PM  
Committee members
asked the panel questions about indeterminate sentences and parole. Further
questions were raised about barriers to treatment, sentencing structures,
and risk assessment.



Domestic Violence Offender Management Board Presentation - Committee Discussion Only
03:08:57 PM  
Erin Gazelka, Domestic
Violence Offender Management Board (DVOMB) Member, discussed the role of
the DVOMB.



Dr. Rachael Collie,
DVOMB Researcher and Statistical Analyst, highlighted research projects.



Jesse Hansen,
Office of Domestic Violence and Sex Offender Management Program Coordinator,
discussed the goals of the office.



The DVOMB presentation
slide deck may be viewed here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/office_of_domestic_violence_and_sex_off.pdf
03:32:05 PM  
Committee members
asked questions about risk assessment instruments and law enforcement training.
03:39:46 PM  
Ms. Devynn Dewey,
representing themself, testified about the DVOMB.



Ms. Nil Buckley,
representing themself, testified about the DVOMB.



Prison Population Projections from Legislative Council Staff - Committee Discussion Only
03:48:24 PM  
Elizabeth Ramey,
Principal Economist, Legislative Council Staff, presented the adult corrections
populations forecast. Her presentation may be viewed here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/correctionspopulationsforecast.pdf



Committee members
asked questions prison population and a recent ballot measure.
04:07:33 PM  
Dr. Ramey proceeded
to present findings from the youth forecast.


04:14:22 PM   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

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