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Senate Judiciary

Monday, March 16, 2026·1h 49m·▶ Watch / Listen

The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced HB 26-1009, the Colorado Mandatory Lethality Assessment Act, to the Appropriations Committee on a 6-1 vote after extensive debate over whether requiring community-based advocates — rather than existing law enforcement advocates — would help or harm domestic violence survivors; the committee also unanimously continued the Cold Case Task Force and confirmed a Juvenile Parole Board appointment.

Key Actions

·HB 26-1009 – Colorado Mandatory Lethality Assessment ActPassed

+ 2 more actions

Controversies

Community-based vs. law enforcement-based victim advocates (HB 26-1009)

Andrea Bradbury argued that after introduction, the word 'community' was added in front of 'victim advocate,' 'therefore changing the meaning' and excluding existing law enforcement victim assistance units operating under the Colorado Victim Rights Act; Jennifer Roger Flynn stated the bill as written 'bypasses existing law enforcement based advocacy programs and may duplicate service extend call times, overwhelm victims with multiple contacts during an already traumatic chaotic event.' Senator Wallace countered that 'community based advocates have a strict confidentiality that law enforcement do not' and that law enforcement advocates are oriented toward prosecution, 'which is a noble cause, but not always one that survivors want to move towards.'

+ 3 more controversies

Notable Quotes

“This bill really acts in opposition of its own intent. It actually acts like the perpetrator in the crime, forcing the victim into situations where they have no control over things.”

Drew Hogan — Hogan, a domestic violence survivor and 21-year advocacy professional, testified in opposition to HB 26-1009, arguing the bill's mandate to connect victims with community-based advocates removes victim choice and is not trauma-informed.

+ 2 more quotes

Votes

Move HB 26-1009 to the Appropriations Committee with a favorable recommendationPassed
Yes (6)John Carson, Lindsey Daugherty, Nick Hinrichsen, Katie Wallace, Dylan Roberts, Mike Weissman
No (1)Lynda Zamora Wilson
Move HB 26-1185 to the Committee of the WholePassed
Yes (7)John Carson, Lindsey Daugherty, Nick Hinrichsen, Katie Wallace, Lynda Zamora Wilson, Dylan Roberts, Mike Weissman
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TranscriptPreview
I could use my chopstick, but it wouldn't make the same sound. Here we go. We good? I am. Good. Afternoon, everyone. Senate Judiciary Committee will come to order on Monday, 16th March. Ms. Jensen, please call the roll. Senators Carson. President Dougherty. Here. Henrickson. Here. Wallace. Here. Zamora Wilson. President Robert. Here. Mr. Chair. Present. All right, everyone's here. Our agenda today will be to first take up the confirmation hearing concerning the Juvenile Parole Board. We then have two bills, House Bill 1009 and House Bill 1185. Heads up that some members of the committee have notified me they have to be presenting bills in other committees. If you see folks coming in and out, that's most likely why we are unavoidably at that part of the session. With that, we will go to our first item of business, and that is to consider the confirmation of Ms. Pelham Webb to the Juvenile Parole Board. If you'd like to join us up front, and if there was anyone else who was going to be making any opening comments as well, please also join us. And when you're talking, please use the gray button halfway up the stem of…
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