- An Alliance For Community Action
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- info@WesternColoradoAlliance.org
COVID relief, police reform, & the reconvening of the 2020 legislative session
As unpredictable as this year has been, the legislature reconvened last Tuesday with a seemingly solid plan to finish out the 2020 legislative session — all bills must be “Fast, Free, & Friendly.” For the most part, that seems to be what’s happened. However, as video surfaced of yet another black man dying at the hands of police brutality, protestors demanding justice for George Floyd and the thousands of black lives stolen by racism have made their way to the Capitol’s doorstep and are demanding immediate action and policy reform. And our legislature has responded with swift action and sweeping legislation.
Police Reform
On Wednesday, Senators Leroy Garcia and Rhonda Fields and Representatives Leslie Herod and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez introduced SB20-217 the Enhance Law Enforcement Integrity Act. This bill has already passed out of Senate Committee and is waiting for a vote by the full Senate before moving on to the house. Among other things, this bill would:
- Require all local law enforcement agencies to wear body-worn cameras.
- Require the Division of Criminal Justice to create an annual report broken down by state and local agency, and made publicly available that includes data covering:
- All use of force by officers that result in death or serious bodily injury.
- All instances when an officer resigned while under investigation for violating department policy.
- All data relating to stops conducted by its peace officers.
- And all data related to the use of an unannounced entry by a peace officer.
- Require the immediate termination of any peace officer convicted of, or who pleads guilty to, inappropriate use of physical force or a crime involving the unlawful use or threatened use of physical force, or for failing to intervene.
- Allow a person whose rights are infringed upon by a peace officer to bring a civil action for the violation.
- Repeal a peace officer’s authority to use a chokehold.
- Allow the Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) board to revoke peace officer certification for a peace officer who has failed to complete required peace officer training.
You can read the full bill language here, and we encourage our members to reach out to their legislators by phone or email to let them know how you feel about the bill. If you would like help identifying which legislator to reach out, please send me an email and I will send you a list of your legislators. You can email me at jeriel@westerncoloradoalliance.org.
COVID-19 Relief
Somewhat lost in the news of the global outcry against racism and police violence is the still very real reality of the global pandemic and its devastating economic effects. A suite of COVID-19 relief bills have been introduced or are awaiting introduction. Our legislative committee is in the process of deep research for each of these bills, and we plan to produce a full report that breaks down their impact for our communities once we know what passed. Here’s a list of the COVID-19 relief bills. Click on the bill number to learn more about each one:
SCR20-001: Repeal Property tax Assessment Rates
*This is essentially a repeal of Gallagher and if approved would go to a statewide vote on the ballot in November.
SB20-205: Sick Leave for Employees
SB20-207: Unemployment Insurance
SB20-204: Additional Resources to Protect Air Quality
SB20-212: Reimbursement for Telehealth ServicesAwaiting introduction are bills that would bolster funding for housing assistance, business loans and grants, mental health services, victims of domestic violence, and more.
Every day brings something new to the Capitol, and we’ll do our best to keep you up to date. We’re thankful to have our members in these trying times and encourage you to reach out to us if you are in need of any support.
Jeriel joined the Western Colorado Alliance staff in February 2017 (back when we were still Western Colorado Congress), but you may remember her as our Canvass Director for the successful Minimum Wage ballot initiative in 2016! In her young career, Jeriel has worked with engaged citizens across Colorado on issues ranging from veterans' affairs, healthcare and women’s rights. Jeriel has called Grand Junction and the Western Slope home for 16 years, and enjoys running, hiking, biking and crafting with her daughter Emma.