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First Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For HB25-1235

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date Mar 5, 2025       Location Old State Library

HB25-1235 - Amended, referred to House Appropriations
09:35:41 PM  
Representatives Bacon and Woodrow introduced House Bill 25-1235. The bill affords parties in forcible entry and detainer cases the right to a trial by jury.
09:44:33 PM  
Mr. Spencer Bailey, representing Community Economic Defense Project/CED Law, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Eida Altman, representing Denver Metro Tenants Union, testified to amend the bill. Mr. Roger Low, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Discussion ensued regarding the rate at which eviction cases result in jury trials, and certain jurisprudence pertinent to the bill.
09:56:55 PM  
Mr. Scott Hawker, representing National Association of Residential Property Managers, Colorado Springs Chapter, testified in opposition to the bill. Angela Green, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Carolin Topelson, representing Colorado Bar Association, testified to amend the bill. Jody Beckstead, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.
10:06:25 PM  
Jacob Hollars, representing Colorado Civil Justice League, testified in opposition to the bill. Jen Reinhardt, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Andrew Hamrick, representing Colorado Apartment Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Hamrick responded to questions regarding nonpayment of rent in court cases.
10:16:26 PM  
Mr. Alvin Powell, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Charles Brennan, representing Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of the bill. Joel Minor, representing Colorado Legal Services, testified in a neutral position on the bill. Zach Neumann, representing Community Economic Defense Project, testified in support of the bill.

Discussion ensued regarding questions raised during earlier testimony, and the rate at which certain cases go to jury trial.

Discussion followed regarding the rate at which attorneys represent tenants in eviction cases, and costs associated with such cases.

Written testimony may be found in Attachment B.
10:43:36 PM  
Representative Bacon explained the effect of amendment L.001 (Attachment C).

10:46:21 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.001
Moved Bacon
Seconded Espenoza
Armagost Excused
Bacon
Caldwell
Clifford
Espenoza
Garcia
Keltie Excused
Soper
Zokaie
Carter
Mabrey
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 2   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
10:46:40 PM  
Representative Garcia explained the effect of amendment L.002 (Attachment D).

10:47:01 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.002
Moved Bacon
Seconded Garcia
Armagost Excused
Bacon
Caldwell
Clifford
Espenoza
Garcia
Keltie Excused
Soper
Zokaie
Carter
Mabrey
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 2   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
10:47:03 PM  
Representative Bacon provided closing remarks in support of HB 25-1235.

Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.

11:03:16 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 25-1235, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Bacon
Seconded Carter
Armagost No
Bacon Yes
Caldwell No
Clifford Yes
Espenoza Yes
Garcia Yes
Keltie Excused
Soper No
Zokaie Yes
Carter Yes
Mabrey Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 3   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS