Colorado scores 16/18 (A) – the highest in the country. It didn’t happen overnight. Here’s the legislative path:
- 2019: HB 19-1124 – Warrant requirement for detainer requests. Standard 1 scored 2.
- 2019: SB 19-199 – Data-sharing restrictions. Standards 3 and 5 scored.
- 2020: Sensitive location protections expanded. Standard 2 scored.
- 2021-2023: Enforcement mechanism bills. Standard 9 scored.
- 2024: Budget appropriations explicitly exclude federal enforcement cooperation costs. Standards 4 and 7.
Key ingredients:
- Bipartisan fiscal framing (cost to Colorado taxpayers)
- Organized testimony from educators, healthcare workers, and faith leaders
- Data-driven arguments (enforcement costs, chilling effect on crime reporting)
- Persistent multi-session strategy (not all in one year)
Questions? If you’re trying to replicate this in your state, ask here. Colorado organizers – share what actually made the difference.