Colorado Rep. Leslie Herod Reflects on the 2019 Legislative Session
"The 2019 legislative session might have ended on May 3, but Colorado Rep. Leslie Herod is still working. On Tuesday, Gov. Jared Polis signed eight bills she sponsored into law. The octet focused on criminal justice—including parolee voting rights and “ban the box,” an effort to eliminate questions about criminal history on initial job applications." "It’s all part of what has been a busy year for the Denver Democrat, who also took on several leadership positions, including l
A breakdown of the 8 issues Colorado lawmakers will study before the 2020 legislative session
"The rising prison inmate population in Colorado — and the cost to house them — is a long-simmering issue at the Capitol that is getting a new look." "This year, state lawmakers even approved reopening part of a long-shuttered state prison in Cañon City despite adamant opposition to the idea just a year earlier. To get a better handle on the trend and the options to address it, lawmakers approved the Prison Population Management committee." “If the trend doesn’t reverse, we a
FOR COPO PRINT!!! Colorado opioid fight stretches from Denver to D.C.
"Senate Bill 227, a sweeping piece of legislation aimed at getting drug-overdose medication into schools, expanding the state’s drug take-back program and getting automated external defibrillator devices into more buildings. The bill was sponsored by Pettersen; Kennedy; Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver; and Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver." Read full article #LeslieHerod #GovernorPolis #opioidcrisis #addiction #Caring4Denver #criminaljusticereform
Gov. Polis signs ‘Ban the Box’ bill into law
"When I was 17 years old, I was convicted of robbery," Mohammed said. "The application is the first thing that an employer sees." "According to Rep. Leslie Herod (D-Denver), the bill will take effect in September 2019 for companies with 11 employees or more. Smaller businesses have until September 2021." "Rob McGowen, owner of Dai Kon sandwiches in Denver, says the new law will change the hiring culture in Colorado. McGowen supports the law." "I think it will be harder for pe
Governor Polis signs multiple criminal justice reform bills into law
"State Representative Leslie Herod (D-Denver) is one of the sponsors for HB-1266." “When you increase participation in democracy, you lower the recidivism rate,” she told the crowd at Second Chance Center." "Latif remembers his time on parole and being in the crowd at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. He couldn’t wait to vote." “It felt like there wasn’t a stranger in the place, it was that kind of hopefulness and people’s involvement and engagement in the pr
The cost of caring for mentally ill inmates
"State spending on mental health care for prison inmates has nearly quadrupled in the past two decades. Expenditures on the Colorado Department of Corrections’ “mental health subprogram” increased from about $4.4 million in fiscal year 2000-01 to nearly $17 million in fiscal year 2017-18, the department reports. Subprogram expenses include mental health clinician salaries and contracts for psychiatric services but do not cover the cost of psychiatric medications." "Nationwide
Every Colorado newborn baby could soon get $100 for college from the state
"DENVER, Co. (CBS12 News) — KDVR reports that every newborn baby born in Colorado, starting in 2020, could be entitled to $100 from the state." "That's because state lawmakers just gave final approval to HB 1280, which allows parents of newborns beginning in 2020 to set up a college savings account with a $100 contribution from Colorado. This will be tax-free contribution." "A sponsor of the bill in the house, Rep. Leslie Herod (D-Denver) said, "We are kick-starting their dre
Governor signs bills at CU Boulder in support of college affordability
"Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed two bills on Monday in support of college affordability for families and students during a ceremony at CU Boulder." "Polis signed Senate Bill 19-002, which will regulate student education loan servicers, and House Bill 19-1280, which gives every Colorado child $100 to start a college savings account." "On hand during the campus bill signing ceremony were Colorado House Speaker KC Becker, Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, Rep. Leslie Herod
SINE DIE HARD: The good and the bad during an ugly Legislative session
"From guns to needles to empty freight trains, Colorado’s 2019 legislative session has been, like so many others before it, a spellbinding morass. Here are a few of the most important, controversial and peculiar new laws to make it out of the Gold Dome this year, many with direct Aurora ties." "Colorado lawmakers delivered many of newly minted Gov. Jared Polis’ first-term priorities, but minority Republicans also claimed some victories by the last day of the session, especial
Denver Election Results: Hancock-Giellis Runoff, Right to Survive Dies
"The results in Denver's 2019 election will spur multiple runoffs just under a month from now. Incumbent Mayor Michael Hancock must best former RiNo Art District president Jamie Giellis to keep his job on June 4, when five Denver City Council races will also be decided. Meanwhile, Ordinance 300, better known as Right to Survive, failed by a margin that left plenty of veteran political observers slack-jawed, while Ordinance 301, which calls for the decriminalization of psilocy
