The Topic Of Crime Drove A Lot Of Legislation At The Capitol This Session
DENVER (CBS4) - After tragedies like the Aurora theater shooting, public safety drove a lot of legislation this year in Colorado, dealing with everything from DNA testing to drug sentencing to crimes against pregnant women.
With one day to go, two of the biggest crime bills died in committee. Maybe the most far-reaching was a bill that would have required DNA testing for people convicted of certain misdemeanors.
"This is to protect public safety, prevent crime, and make sure we exonerate the innocent," said Rep. Dan Pabon, D-Denver.
Pabon says there were too many misconceptions.
Lawmakers also had reservations about a bill that would have made repeat DUIs a felony, citing prison costs.
"If we can't find money for this bill when have $269 million more in budget, then I don't when we're ever going to be able to find it, and that's one of my greatest disappointments this year," said Rep. Mark Waller, R-Colorado Springs.
Waller says there were big victories as well. In addition to the DUI limit for marijuana, lawmakers also approved an overhaul of drug sentencing focused on treatment.
"Sending someone who is suffering from this type of this disease to prison for their entire lifetime isn't going to solve the problem and it's a burden on our prison system," Pabon said.
Many of the crime bills were inspired by recent tragedies. After two hit-and-run accidents involving pregnant women, lawmakers passed a bill making the death of an unborn child as the result of a crime a homicide.
"We certainly need to go much further, to a greater degree, to protect pregnant women and their unborn children, and this bill did that and I'm happy to see that," Waller said.
There were also bills named after crime victims from other states. Kelsey's Law requires cellphone providers to turn over tracking information when police believe a person is in danger. It passed. Jessica's Law requires mandatory minimum sentences for pedophiles. It failed.
But lawmakers say overall they improved public safety.
"It took us many days and long, lengthy debates to get there, but I think we are a safer place," Pabon said.
A sweeping criminal justice bill fell victim to political in-fighting. Democrats gutted the bill after Republicans threatened to amend it. That bill's fate is still in question.
