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First Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For HB25-1206

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date Mar 19, 2025       Location HCR 0107

HB25-1206 - Committee Discussion Only
07:27:30 PM  
The committee recessed.
07:38:57 PM  
The committee returned to order.  Representatives Carter and Bacon, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 25-1206. The bill changes the classification for certain crimes with components of extreme indifference. Representative Carter explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Bacon provided further input on the merits of the legislation. Discussion ensued regarding the scope of the bill, and the potential impact of the bill on crime rates. Discussion followed regarding how a number of hypothetical fact patterns would be treated by the bill.
08:21:22 PM  
Tristan Gorman, representing Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support of the bill. Britta Kruse, representing Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support of the bill. Benjamin Collett, representing Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support of the bill.

Discussion ensued regarding charges levied under HB 25-1206 in certain circumstances as compared to current law, and the genesis of the bill. Discussion followed regarding a number of fact patterns and how they would fall under the bill, and the logic behind various crime classifications impacted by the bill.
09:04:18 PM  
Bryan Rivera, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Justis White, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Sharon Rivera, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Joyce Phillips, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Felecia Castro, representing themself, testified in opposition to HB 25-1206.

Discussion ensued regarding the status of litigation for the crimes committed against the witnesses.
09:24:26 PM  
Alexis King, representing 1st Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Michael Dougherty, representing Colorado District Attorney Council and District Attorney's Office, 20th JD, testified in opposition to the bill. Michael Allen, representing 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Michael Anderson, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

D.A. Dougherty responded to questions regarding the work of the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice on certain issues. D.A. King responded to questions regarding reckless vehicular homicide. D.A. Allen responded to questions about a set of crimes he prosecuted. Discussion returned to a criminal event that D.A. King prosecuted. Discussion ensued regarding how certain fact patterns line up with available charges under current law, and some criminal prosecutions that illustrate this. Mr. Anderson returned to his testimony.  D.A. Allen responded to questions regarding how a criminal event would have been charged under HB 25-1206. Discussion ensued on this point.
10:26:12 PM  
Ms. Tally Zuckerman, representing Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Jim Castle, representing Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support of the bill. Jeri Shepherd, representing Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Jonathan Reppucci, representing Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Zuckerman responded to questions regarding how extreme indifference crimes are charged. Mr. Castle responded to questions regarding how certain crimes are charged in other states. Ms. Zuckerman responded to questions regarding charging youth with extreme indifference crimes. Mr. Castle responded to questions regarding penalties associated with the various levels of charges impacted by HB 25-1206.  Ms. Shepherd responded to questions regarding sentence reconsideration.
11:01:45 PM  
John Walsh, representing the 2nd Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Gordon McLaughlin, representing the 8th Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Brian Mason, representing the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Stan Hilkey, representing the Colorado Department of Public Safety, testified in opposition to the bill.

Discussion ensued regarding charges available under certain fact patterns, and how Colorado's criminal code compares to other states in the area of crimes impacted by HB 25-1206. Discussion followed regarding the assault component of the bill. Discussion returned to charges under certain fact patterns, and the proper charging range in certain situations. Discussion turned to the stakeholding process for the bill.
11:51:46 PM  
Mr. Fran Lanzer, representing Mothers Against Drunk Driving, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Clara Shelton, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Deputy Chief Todd Reeves, representing Colorado Association of the Chiefs of Police, testified in opposition to the bill. Darcy Kofol, representing the 23rd Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Travis Sides, representing District Attorney, 13th Judicial District, testified in opposition to the bill.
12:05:16 AM  
Erika Unger, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. James Karbach, representing Colo. St. Pub. Defender, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Karbach responded to questions regarding the difference between two charges from a criminal defense perspective. Discussion ensued regarding charging options with respect to extreme indifference.
12:05:17 AM  
Written testimony may be found in Attachment E.
12:30:06 AM  
Representative Mabrey laid over HB 25-1206 for future action and potential limited testimony.