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First Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For SB25-024

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date Jan 29, 2025       Location Old Supreme Court

SB25-024 - Referred to Senate Appropriations
04:25:51 PM  
Senators Frizell and Roberts, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 25-024, concerning judicial officers. The bill sponsors discussed reasons for increasing the number of judges across the state.

Committee members asked questions about training, support staff, and faciity issues.
04:35:24 PM  
Chief Justice Monica Marquez, representing Judicial, testified in support of the bill.  She discussed legislative priorities and judicial caseloads and dockets.

Erin Sokol, representing Judicial, testified in support of the bill. She discussed caseloads, community service, safety, and speedy trial deadlines.

Ryan Stuart, representing Judicial, testified in support of the bill. He discussed impact of certain state laws on the judicial system.
04:47:09 PM  
Marie Moses, representing Judicial, testified in support of the bill. She distributed a handout of her calendar (Attachment A) and discussed the domestic court docket.

Courtney Dinnel, representing Judicial, testified in support of the bill. She discussed workload and the eviction docket.
04:57:34 PM  
Committee members asked questions and discussion ensued about prioritization, additional judges and impact on plea bargains, mental health holds and probate court, facilities/space, and remote court.
05:09:11 PM  
Ms. Kaela Zihlman, representing herself and the CBA Family Law Section, testified in support of the bill. She expressed concerns about domestic docket backlog.

Melanie Jordan, representing Juvenile Law Section, testified in support of the bill. She discussed family law implications of delayed court hearings.

Melissa Thompson, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support of the bill. She discussed related expenses for delayed cases and termination hearings.

Mr. George Brauchler, representing Office of the District Attorney, testified in support of the bill. He discussed judge shortages and the impact on district attorneys and the criminal justice system generally.
05:31:01 PM  
Mr. Matthew Baca, representing Colorado Legal Services, testified in a neutral position on the bill.

Anne Mangiardi, representing Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline, testified in support of the bill.

Cynthia Mares, representing Colorado Judicial Institute, testified to amend the bill.

Kent Wagner, representing Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation, testified in support of the bill.

05:55:32 PM
 Motion Refer Senate Bill 25-024 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Roberts
Seconded
Ball Yes
Carson No
Kipp Yes
Frizell Yes
Roberts Yes
Weissman Yes
Gonzales J. Yes
Final YES: 6   NO: 1   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS