Colorado Freedom Fund is profoundly disappointed that Colorado’s Democratic governor vetoed HB25-1147, Municipal Court Fairness & Transparency, legislation that would have guaranteed the most basic of legal rights to people prosecuted in Colorado’s municipal courts: a lawyer when jail is on the line, a courtroom open to public observation, and a jail sentence that complies with state sentencing laws. 

We are disappointed, but not surprised. In the wake of the 2020 uprisings, Governor Polis gave politically expedient lip service to caring about racial justice and equity in the criminal legal system, but shortly after abandoned the pretense. We have since watched the Polis administration persistently fight against legislative efforts for evidence-based and humane criminal legal reform and, instead, push for more kids and poor people in cages in the name of “public safety”.   

Coloradans want a rational criminal legal system that supports true community safety. It is irrational and unfair that the jail sentence an unhoused person faces in Colorado is massively different depending on which side of the street they happen to be sleeping on. When city courts are allowed to use poverty “offenses” to disappear homeless people for nearly a year in jail, our entire community suffers and no one is safer. Indeed, Colorado counties and many sheriffs strongly supported HB25-1147, because they do not want and cannot afford for cities to continue using county jails as homeless shelters. Yet, Gov. Polis’ veto ensures these results.

The coalition supporting HB25-1147 is broad and deep, including not only counties and sheriffs, but also disability, health, immigration and transparency advocates, faith-based groups, bar associations, and anti-poverty organizations. HB25-1147 passed the legislature with yes votes from Democrats of all stripes, from moderate to progressive, in rural and urban areas, and with bipartisan support in both chambers. Prime Sponsors, Reps. Javier Mabrey & Elizabeth Velasco, and Sens. Mike Weissman & Judy Amabile fought hard for this bill, and understand that fair treatment for Colorado’s most vulnerable residents is a legal and moral imperative.

Polis ignored the broad support for this bill and sided with the minority opposition of Colorado mayors carrying water for their downtown business associations. With his veto pen, Polis ensured cities retain the power to lock up homeless people in county jails for months without state interference. Polis ignored the well-documented results of this power– cruel, disproportionate and counterproductive jail sentences for offenses of poverty.

We are endlessly grateful for the energy and engagement of the Municipal Court Fairness Coalition and bill sponsors. We understand we are part of a generations-long movement toward collective liberation. We will continue to build and fight for municipal court fairness and, with our allies, we will win. 

Learn more and join the Coalition for Municipal Court Fairness.