Bills Aim To Tackle Problem Of Crime In Colorado Schools

DENVER (CBS4) - Law enforcement in Colorado are supposed to report crimes that happen at school, including sexual assaults and any time drugs and alcohol are found. But in many cases that's not happening, and now lawmakers are trying to change that with new bills.

Colorado Department of Education reported more than 6,000 cases of drugs and alcohol, nearly 4,000 third-degree assaults, and about 700 incidents involving dangerous weapons in schools last year alone. But that may be the tip of the iceberg.

Rep. Polly Lawrence, R-Roxborough Park, says there's often a big discrepancy between what schools report and what police report -- and there's no check and balance.

"I just think it's important that parents know what's going on in the schools," Lawrence said.

A law passed in 2012 required reporting by law enforcement, but lacked funding. Lawrence says many departments don't report, and there's concern some schools may be underreporting. She's introducing a bill that would set up a uniform reporting system for schools, police and district attorneys.

"I think it should be as transparent as possible," Lawrence said.

Right now incidents like sex assaults are listed as "other." Lawrence's bill would list them separately -- as well as with marijuana offenses. It's something Rep. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, is also pushing for along with more intervention before police are called.

"I'd like to see treatment, therapy, education as it related to these contacts with students who are using drugs and alcohol," Fields said.

Fields says pot tax money could help fund her bill. Lawrence is also asking for funding to help collect, consolidate and post reliable data for every school in Colorado.

"We all have a lot things to do, and the safety of our kids is number one," Lawrence said. "But you shouldn't have to dig through layers and layers and layers of reports to try to figure out what's going on in your kid's school."