INSIGHTS | Lawmakers are quietly reshaping Colorado justice
"Beneath the big headlines of this legislative session -- drilling fights, full-day kindergarten, sex ed and the red-flag gun bill -- is an undercurrent of deep political and social change for Colorado." "Quietly, bills large and small are being hammered out in Denver to reshape how criminal justice is carried out. Those pushing the agenda aren't just the usual back-bench liberals, either." "Thirty years ago, when I started covering politics, any legislation or law that helpe
Colorado House endorses disclosure of police internal affairs records
"Following an hour-long floor debate Monday, the Colorado House gave preliminary approval to legislation that would open records on completed police internal affairs investigations." “Hiding the files is not the answer,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, talking about the problem of “bad” law enforcement officers. “Families, communities deserve to see this information, deserve to have this information when requested and when appropriate.” "Stressing that the current statutory
Police internal files could become public under bill approved by Colorado House committee
"In 2017, the department received 197 external or citizen complaints and 103 internal or directed complaints, Black said." "Many internal investigations are deemed unfounded, said Rep. Shane Sandridge, R-Colorado Springs, a former police officer and member of the House committee." “It’s always easier to blame the police officer,” Sandridge said. “He planted it. He hit me… He broke my arm. He beat me.” "But the committee's Vice Chair, Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, said civilian
Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity Colorado sets 2019 legislative agenda
"Democratic Rep. Leslie Herod of Denver told Colorado Politics Friday that AFP's criminal justice ideas "fits in well" with Democrats' legislative agenda." "Criminal justice reform is not and should not be a partisan issue," Hood said. "Our society benefits not one bit if we focus only on incarceration. I welcome AFP to the table to find real solutions to this complex issue." "But at least one Democratic operative views the new approach with skepticism." Read full article #Le
Most Diverse State Legislature In History Begins 2019 Session
"While sex and race may not dominate the agenda, they will play a key role in several bills says Rep. Leslie Herod, “I think we’re going to be tackling issues that we haven’t talked about before. We’re going to be leaning pretty heavily on criminal justice reform.” "She says the large number of women will also change the dynamic, “As women I think we’re naturally a little bit more collaborative and plan to collaborate with all women including Republicans to get the job done f
Women make history in Colorado legislature with more serving than ever before
"This session, more women are serving than ever before. Women now make up 45 percent of the overall state legislature, which is the highest percentage of any legislature in the country." "In the House, 33 out of 65 seats are held by women. In the Senate, 12 out of 35 seats are occupied by women." “I am so excited that we have such a difference caucus in the state House this year," said Rep. Leslie Herod. “We are led by women on the Democratic side, which is phenomenal to see
2019 CAPITOL PREVIEW | Committee picks set themes for the session
"With 14 minorities in the 41-member Democratic House caucus, Speaker-designee KC Becker of Boulder has ensured that committee leadership will reflect that diversity, selecting minority members as chairs or vice-chairs of nine of the 11 "committees of reference" -- committees that meet during the session to consider legislation and provide agency oversight." "Business Affairs will be chaired by Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp of Arvada, who has been at that committee’s helm for the pa
"He is unstoppable": Colorado Rep. Joe Neguse looks like the next generation of Democratic
"Joe has this uncanny ability to bring people together and to really help manage personality differences," said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. "People are attracted to him for it, and in that way he is unstoppable." "Herod, Neguse and incoming Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, all met at the University of Colorado at Boulder through their work in student government back in the early 2000s." "We were big student government nerds," Fenberg said. "We were young peop
Colorado state House committee leaders announced
"Colorado state Speaker of the House-designee Rep. KC Becker of Boulder has made her choices for who will chair 11 House committees in the 2019 and 2020 sessions." "Becker also reorganized a few committees, eliminating the Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources Committee in favor of a "Rural Affairs Committee." She also combined Transportation with Local Government." "In a Sunday statement Becker said the Rural Affairs Committee "will oversee issues of particular import
Colorado state House committee chairs announced
"Colorado state Speaker of the House-designee Rep. KC Becker of Boulder has made her choices for who will chair 11 House committees in the 2019 and 2020 sessions." "Becker also reorganized a few committees, eliminating the Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources Committee in favor of a "Rural Affairs Committee." She also combined Transportation with Local Government." "In a Sunday statement Becker said the Rural Affairs Committee "will oversee issues of particular import
