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First Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For SB25-281

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date Apr 16, 2025       Location Old Supreme Court

SB25-281 - Lay Over
02:32:48 PM  
Senators Snyder and Carson, bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 25-281, concerning careless driving resulting in serious bodily injury. They explained the need to improve safety on Colorado's roads by holding accountable people who drive without regard for other's safety. They distributed a related handout about the bill (Attachment B).
02:48:58 PM  
Gary Robinson, representing Avid Cyclist, LLC, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Michael Raber, representing BIKE JEFFCO, testified in support of the bill. Susan Dane, representing Coloradans Organized for Responsible Driving (CORD), testified in support of the bill.

Committee members commented about bike accidents.
03:06:08 PM  
Jill White, representing The White Line, testified in support of the bill. Michael White, representing The White Line, testified in support of the bill. Rodrick Stratton, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Clarissa Stratton, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked how statutes and laws could better support surviving family members and others impacted by careless driving incidents. Discussion followed about cultural changes surrounding texting and driving.  They also talked about accountability and treating these incidents more seriously.  Additional questions were raised about charges brought forth by district attorneys.
03:40:39 PM  
Rebecca Nothnagel, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. James Karbach, representing Colorado Public Defender's Office, testified in opposition to the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment C).  Mr. Abraham Hutt, representing Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in opposition to the bill. Rhidian Orr, representing Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in opposition to the bill.

Committee members asked about distinguishing between careless, negligent, and reckless driving.  Discussion ensued about DUIs, probable cause, fact patterns, and deterrence.
04:33:45 PM  
Mark Oharold, representing Douglas Sheriff, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Michael Dougherty, representing District Attorney's Office, 20th Judicial District, testified in support of the bill. Garrik Storgaard, representing District Attorney's Office for the 23rd Judicial District, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Darren Weekly, representing County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Deputy Chief Reeves, representing Colorado Association of the Chiefs of Police, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Chief-Matthew Packard, representing Cdps/colorado state patrol, testified to amend the bill.

Committee members inquired about charges brought forth by district attorneys.  Additional discussion ensued about deterrence and related penalties.
05:25:31 PM  
Victoria Cegielski, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Teri Vogel, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Josh Stewart, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Triny Willerton, representing It could be me, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions about legal proceedings, charges, and budget cuts to victim services. Discussion ensued about laws that hold up in court.
05:55:02 PM  
Mr. Andrew Phillips, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Ed Wood, representing DUID Victim Voices, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Jocelyn Rhymer, representing Mothers Against Drunk Driving, testified in support of the bill. Amy Hudnall, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Jeff Wilkins, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Brad Tucker, representing Bicycle Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Gerald White, representing Bike Colorado Springs, testified in support of the bill.

Written testimony about the bill is in Attachment D.
06:21:41 PM  
The bill sponsors asked the bill to be laid over until Monday, April 21, 2025.