Tell Gov. Polis: Sign HB25-1147!

Criminalization of Homelessness

• It’s wrong that some city courts order disproportionate and excessive jail sentences for unhoused people charged with poverty offenses who would face at most 10 days if charged in state court.

• Municipalities that misuse their sentencing powers push more unhoused Coloradans into county jails for lowest level poverty offenses on the county taxpayer dime. 

• Counties support this bill because municipal courts should not be able to use county jails as homeless shelters; jailing is the least effective, most expensive way to respond to homelessness.

HB25-1147 Aligns with Colorado Values

• HB25-1147 makes necessary changes to bring municipal courts in alignment with Colorado values and our state’s principles of constitutional justice.

• Some municipal courts are out of step with Colorado values and legal standards and this bill brings those courts in closer alignment with basic legal standards in state court. 

• HB25-1147 has support from health advocates, anti-poverty advocates, immigration advocates, disability rights advocates, and criminal justice advocates, as well as support from a diverse set of Counties and Sheriffs.

Equal Protection and Proportionate Sentencing

• The patchwork of sentencing schemes in Colorado makes it impossible for anyone to know what potential penalties they face at any given time. HB25-1147 ensures predictable and consistent sentencing schemes across the state.

  Cities should not be able to sentence people to more time in jail than state courts for the exact same behavior. Equal justice has to mean the same behavior results in similar penalties.

• Colorado has one of the most punitive municipal court systems in the country and should bring these courts into better alignment with our modern understandings of equal protection and justice under the law.