Rep. Matt Soper

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution commemorates the 57th anniversary of the 1968 North Korean capture of the USS Pueblo, a U.S. Navy ship named after Pueblo, Colorado. It honors the crew's bravery, notes Colorado's historical connection to the ship, and calls for North Korea to return the vessel. The resolution designates January 23 as "USS Pueblo Day" for annual remembrance. As a symbolic gesture, it has no legal effect on policy or operations.

Maddy summaryHJR 25-1013 is a symbolic joint resolution honoring Colorado veterans who served in World War II on the 80th anniversary of the war's end. It recognizes the service of approximately 250,000 Coloradans who served during 1941-1945, including over 3,500 who died in action, and specifically references Colorado's military units like the 10th Mountain Division and the 157th Infantry Regiment. The resolution encourages support for commemorating this anniversary but does not create new programs, funding, or legal obligations. As a procedural resolution, it serves only to express legislative recognition.

Maddy summaryHJR 25-1016 is a Colorado legislative resolution honoring veterans who served in the Persian Gulf War (1990-1991), including three Coloradans who died in combat. It formally acknowledges their service, honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice, expresses gratitude to families of fallen service members, and encourages all Coloradans to remember their sacrifices. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic recognition through the Colorado General Assembly. It was passed unanimously by both chambers of the state legislature in early 2025.

The 2024 general appropriations act is amended to balance and make adjustments to the total amount appropriated to the judicial department. The general fund, cash funds, and reappropriated funds portions of the appropriation are increased. Amends House Bill 24-1355, concerning reducing the competency wait list, and, in connection therewith, creating a wraparound care program, to adjust the amount appropriated to the department for capital outlay. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Current law requires mandatory sentencing to at least the minimum of the prescribed range for a person who, within the immediately preceding 4 years, was twice convicted of felony theft from a store and who is once again convicted of felony theft from a store. The bill requires a state court to sentence a person convicted of burglary, robbery, theft, or a related property crime from or of a store, who was convicted of any 2 of the specified property crimes or comparable municipal offenses from or of a store within the preceding 4 years, to at least the midpoint term for the current offense. The bill adds language to the existing theft statute clarifying how a gift card's value is determined for purposes of determining the offense level and associated penalty. If the stolen item of value is a gift card, then the value is the full monetary face value or, in the case of a variable load gift card, the maximum potential value, regardless of whether funds have been transferred to the gift card at the time of the theft. The bill adds gift cards to the list of written instruments subject to forgery. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

The bill grants a person who is at least 18 years of age and permitted to possess a handgun pursuant to federal and state law the same authority to carry a concealed handgun as a person who holds a permit to carry a concealed handgun (permit). A person who carries a concealed handgun without a permit has the same rights, limitations, and authority to carry as a person who holds a permit. A person may obtain a permit for the purpose of using the permit to carry a concealed handgun in another state that recognizes a Colorado permit. The bill makes the minimum age to obtain a permit 18 years of age. Under existing law, Colorado recognizes permits issued in other states that meet certain criteria, including that the holder of the out-of-state permit is at least 21 years of age. The bill changes the minimum age for recognition of an out-of-state permit to 18 years of age. Under existing law, a permit is valid for 5 years. The bill makes a permit valid for the life of the permit holder. Existing permits, other than temporary emergency permits, are converted to lifetime permits. Because the bill makes permits valid for the life of the holder, the bill repeals provisions relating to the renewal of permits. The bill repeals the temporary emergency permit to carry a concealed handgun. The bill repeals local government authority to regulate open or concealed carry of a handgun, including repealing the authority of special districts and the governing boards of institutions of higher education, as applicable. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Maddy summarySJR 25-007 is a ceremonial resolution proclaiming February 14 as "Colorado Read to Your Child Day." It does not create new laws or allocate funding but aims to raise public awareness about the importance of reading aloud to children for early literacy development. The resolution cites research linking early reading exposure to future academic success and reduced educational disparities. This resolution directly affects Colorado residents by designating an annual observance to encourage family reading habits, without implementing any concrete policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal resolution recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month in Colorado. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official acknowledgment of the significance of Black history and contributions to Colorado and the nation. The resolution references historical milestones, including Black laborers, community builders, and civil rights efforts in Colorado, to underscore the importance of this observance. It affects all Coloradans by formally designating the month for recognition and education.

Maddy summaryThis procedural resolution designates February 4 of each year as "Missing Persons Day" in Colorado. It formally recognizes the issue of missing persons through state-wide awareness, encouraging public support for families and law enforcement efforts without creating new legal requirements or funding. The resolution aligns with Colorado's existing AMBER Alert and Missing Indigenous Person Alert programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Monday, January 27, 2025, as "Colorado 4-H Day" to recognize the Colorado 4-H Youth Development program. It is a symbolic resolution honoring 4-H's work with youth aged 5-19, including its role in community engagement, leadership development, and STEM education through Colorado State University Extension. The resolution has no legal effect or new requirements - it simply encourages public acknowledgment of the program. (HJR 25-1006, passed by both chambers on January 27-30, 2025)