Rep. Lori Garcia Sander

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 summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) designating September 14-20, 2025, as "Co-Responder Units and Behavioral Health Crisis Professionals Week" in Colorado. It honors professionals who work alongside law enforcement in crisis situations involving mental health or substance use, recognizing their role in de-escalating emergencies and connecting individuals to resources like counseling and housing. The resolution expresses legislative appreciation for their service but does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes.

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.

The bill creates the youth prevention mental health pilot program (pilot program) in the behavioral health administration (BHA) to provide 42,000 students access to an electronic multicomponent behavioral health prevention tool (prevention tool). No later than January 1, 2026, the bill requires the BHA to enter into a contract with a third party to administer the pilot program. The third party must have the capability to provide access to a prevention tool that includes access to online behavioral health educational resources, peer-to-peer support services, and online private counseling sessions with a behavioral health professional. The pilot program repeals on June 30, 2027. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

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)

Maddy summaryThis bill (HJR 25-1007) is a commemorative resolution designating a specific segment of Interstate 25 in Colorado - southbound from mile marker 199.4 and northbound from mile marker 194.8 - as the "Firefighters Memorial Hwy in Memory of Chief Troy Jackson." It honors Troy Jackson, a 30-year firefighter with South Metro Fire Rescue who developed cancer prevention programs for first responders before passing in 2019. The resolution allows the Colorado Department of Transportation to accept donations for signage and coordinate with Arapahoe and Douglas counties for sign maintenance. As a naming resolution, it has no policy or funding changes beyond this memorial designation.

The bill repeals standards created in House Bill 20-1343, enacted in 2020, regarding confinement standards for egg-laying hens whose eggs are sold. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Maddy summaryHJR 25-1003 is a procedural resolution that schedules a joint session of the Colorado General Assembly for January 16, 2025, to hear a message from representatives of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Southern Ute Indian Tribe tribal councils. It directs the appointment of a committee consisting of three House members and three Senate members to escort tribal representatives to the session. The resolution does not create new laws or alter policies but formalizes a ceremonial meeting to recognize the tribes' historical and cultural contributions to Colorado. This is a standard procedural step for legislative recognition events, not a substantive policy change.