With Control of Colorado Legislature, Democrats Have Failed to Pass Criminal Justice Reform, Even Killing a Police Transparency Bill in March 2020

Colorado’s Ruling Party is in trouble, and they can’t blame Republicans.

As protesters deface the State Capitol building in Denver, Colorado Democrats in the Legislature must be hoping their lack of support on criminal justice issues won’t be exposed.

Since gaining control of the State Senate in 2018, there have been many opportunities for Democrats to pass bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation, but very little reform has happened.

Most recently, on March 4th of this year, legislation was stopped that would have increased transparency in police departments across Colorado.

Colorado House Bill 20-1282 “Radio Communications Policies Of Gov Entities,” would have required police departments in Colorado to develop and “enact an encryption policy.”

This bill had bipartisan support, sponsored by Representatives Kevin Van Winkle (Republican), and Jovan Melton (Democrat).

This bill would have provided transparency by giving the press and public better access to police radio communications.

Representative Kevin Van Winkle (R-43 Douglas County) has been sponsoring bills to create transparency in police radio communications for the past three years. (source)

And every year… his police transparency bills are killed in the State House.

This year, Rep. Van Winkle and Rep. Melton’s bill was killed in the House Transportation and Local Government Committee.

Two Republicans, joined their Democrat colleagues to stop this latest effort in police accountability.

Even with two Republicans opposing the bill, the Democratic majority could have voted the legislation through the committee, and onto the State House as a whole.

Reps. Terri Carver (R-20 El Paso), Marc Catlin (R-58 Dolores, Montezuma, Montrose, San Miguel), Meg Froelich (D-3 Arapahoe) (who motioned to Postpone Indefinitely the bill), Edie Hooton (D-10 Boulder), Alex Valdez (D-5 Denver), Donald Valdez (D-62 Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Huerfano, Mineral, Pueblo, Rio Grande, Saguache), and Tony Exum (D-El Paso) all bear responsibility for the death of this bill.

Police accountability has not been a priority in the State Legislature during the past three years.

Not only have Democrats prevented public access to police communications, they have also stopped Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform (SB17-136), prevented a Ban on Red Light Cameras (HB18-1072) and have increased penalties for marijuana offenses (HB17-1221).

Colorado Democrats claim to stand for civil rights and criminal justice reform, but their actions in the State Legislature have proven antagonistic to reform measures.

With majorities in both houses, Democrats can not blame Republicans for preventing reform measures.

I hope the voters of Colorado will remember the names of those politicians who have stopped reform measures in Colorado.

Any thoughts? Leave a comment below!