S_HHS_2023A 04/20/2023 05:59:09 PM Committee Summary

Senator Priola and
Senator Gonzales, co-prime bill sponsors, presented House Bill 23-1202
concerning permiting municipalities to authorize the operation of an overdose
prevention center within its boundaries after holding a public hearing.
Overdose prevention centers are defined as facilities providing space for
individuals to use previously obtained controlled substances under the
supervision of healthcare professionals or other trained staff for the
purpose of providing life-saving treatment in the event of a potential
overdose, as well as access to other harm reduction services.



Committee members
asked the bill sponsors questions.



The committee
discussed a handout distributed by the bill sponsors (Attachment G).

Lisa Raville, representing
Harm Reduction Action Center, testified in support of the bill.



Joshua Barocas,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Hassan Latif,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Councilwoman Robin
Kniech, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Committee members
asked the panel questions.

Mayor Mike Coffman,
representing City of Aurora, testified in opposition to the bill.



Danielle Castaneda,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.



Deputy Chief Gregory
Sadar, representing Colorado Association of the Chiefs of Police - Commerce
City Police Department, testified in opposition to the bill.



Sheriff Steven
Reams, representing CSOC, testified in opposition to the bill.



Committee members
asked the panel questions.

Michael Ruddock,
representing Adams County Health Department, testified in support of the
bill.



Dr. Hannan Braun,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Racquel Garcia,
representing Hard Beauty, testified in support of the bill.



Mr. Andrew Goodman,
representing Colorado Drug Policy Coalition, testified in support of the
bill.



Committee members
asked the panel questions.

Mr. Kyle Roth, representing
180 Ministries of adult and teen challenge, testified in opposition to
the bill.



Mr. Daniel Petruska,
representing 180 Adult and Teen Challenge, testified in a neutral position
on the bill.



Ms. Joy Overbeck,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.



Mrs. Margo Knutson,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.



Committee members
asked the panel questions.

Denver District Attorney
Beth McCann, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Mr. Jonathan Singer,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Dr. Sarah Rowan,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Mr. Taylor Pendergrass,
representing ACLU of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



Committee members
asked the panel questions.

Mr. Tom Downey, representing
Harm Reduction Action Center, testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Betsy Craft,
representing Colorado Drug Policy Coalition, testified in support of the
bill.



Councilmember
Alison Coombs, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Tonya Wheeler,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Dr. Donald Stader,
representing Colorado American College of Emergency Physicians, testified
in support of the bill.



Committee members
asked the panel questions.

Dr. Joshua Blum,
representing Colorado Society of Addiction Medicine, testified in support
of the bill.



Dave Wasserman,
representing Conscious Consulting, was available to answer committee questions.



Meghan MacKillop,
representing Colorado Municipal League, testified in support of the bill.



Mr. Devon Peavy,
representing Sobriety House, testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Breeah Kinsella,
representing Colorado Providers Association , testified in support of the
bill.



Molly McKinley,
representing Denver Streets Partnership, testified in support of the bill.



Committee members
asked the panel questions.

Senator Gonzalez and Priola provided closing remarks.

Senator Gonzalez and Priola provided additional closing remarks.

Committee members provided closing remarks.

The committee recessed.

The committee resumed.

Committee members provided additional closing remarks.

The committee recessed.

The committee resumed.