Event description

“Our state Democrats were working hard for you this spring! Come hear Rep. Naquetta Ricks of Aurora talk about this amazing legislative session.”

What to say

• Let you legislator know you were disappointed SB62 and SB273 didn’t pass this session.

• Ask how we can help her champion bills next session that protect Coloradans by ending the criminalization of poverty by ending cash bail.

• 60% of Coloradans in jail right now are only there because they are too poor to pay bail, making our justice system intolerably unjust.

• Ask her how we can help herchampion bills next session that protect Coloradans from over-policing and systemic racism in policing by issuing a summons instead of automatically arresting for low-level offenses.

• Colorado is 6th in the nation for overall police killings, 5th in the nation for police killings of Black people, and that over half (54%) of policing killings since 2013 started in response to low-level or NO level offenses, like mental health calls and traffic tickets.

Legislation is especially important for Aurora, Colorado, where police use force against Black people at more than 3 times the rate of white people. The rate of misdemeanor arrests are up to 7 times higher for Black people than white people, and 66% of cases where force was used by Aurora Police were for misdemeanor or petty offenses.

Event description

“Please join us on zoom for a legislative recap, Q&A, and celebration of the end of the session.”

The scoop

• Representative Roberts was the only democrat in the House Judiciary committee to vote no on SB273. He is a deputy district attorney.

• Kerry Donovan voted yes on SB273 on the Senate Floor but was never a vocal public supporter of either SB273 or SB62.

What to say

• Let you legislator know you were disappointed SB62 and SB273 didn’t pass this session.

• And ask them to champion bills next session that protect Coloradans by ending the criminalization of poverty by ending cash bail.

• Make sure the know 60% of Coloradans in jail right now are only there because they are too poor to pay bail, making our justice system intolerably unjust.

• And ask them to champion bills next session that protect Coloradans from over-policing and systemic racism in policing by issuing a summons instead of automatically arresting for low-level offenses.

• Make sure they know Colorado is 6th in the nation for overall police killings, 5th in the nation for police killings of Black people, and that over half (54%) of policing killings since 2013 started in response to low-level or NO level offenses, like mental health calls and traffic tickets.

Event description

A virtual "Justice Matters" Town Hall with Reps. Meg Froelich and Tom Sullivan and guest CO Attorney General, Phil Weiser discussing the latest gun and justice related legislation that passed the 2021 General Assembly.

What to say

• Let your legislator know you were disappointed SB62 and SB273 didn’t pass this session.

• And ask them to champion bills next session that protect Coloradans by ending the criminalization of poverty by ending cash bail.

• Make sure the know almost 60% of Coloradans in jail right now are only there because they are too poor to pay bail, making our justice system intolerably unjust.

• And ask them to champion bills next session that protect Coloradans from over-policing and systemic racism in policing by issuing a summons instead of automatically arresting for low-level offenses.

• Make sure they know Colorado is 6th in the nation for overall police killings, 5th in the nation for police killings of black people, and that over half (54%) of policing killings since 2013 started in response to low-level or NO level offenses, like mental health calls and traffic tickets.

Background information

Tom Sullivan is a violent crime victim and needs to hear that crime victims support legislation to end cash bail and over-policing. He is also currently endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police.

Event description

“Please join me and my legislative colleagues representing Jefferson County as we recap the 2021 Legislative Session and look forward to Colorado's continuing recovery from the pandemic and the next legislative session.

This event will be held on Zoom, and streamed live to Facebook. You can register for the Zoom webinar here:”

What to say

Tell the panel that Colorado must end the criminalization of poverty by ending cash bail and arrested systemic racism in policing by reducing arrests for low level offenses that do not affect public safety.

Some talking points

• Black people in Colorado are arrested at 8 x the rate per population than white people for low-level offenses and killed by police at quadruple the rate. Latinx people are killed at double the rate.

• Colorado’s jail populations have exploded 800% since the 70s as arrests have become the first response to homelessness, mental illness, and substance abuse.

• 60% of Coloradans sitting in jail are presumptively innocent and not there because they are dangerous, but because they are too poor to pay bond.

• 71% of ALL arrests since 2013 have been for low-level offenses like traffic violations and petty offenses that do not effect public safety.

• 54% of the Coloradans killed by police since 2013 started as a response to a low-level or NO level offense like a mental health call.

Event description

“Join us virtually for a wrap up conversation on the 2021 Colorado Legislative session. We'll be joined by Representatives Judy Amabile, Tracey Bernett, Edie Hooton, and Karen McCormick and Senators Steve Fenberg and Sonja Jaquez Lewis.”

The scoop

Democratic Representatives Judy Amabile and Karen McCormick and Senator Sonja Jacquez Lewis were early proponents of legislation to reduce cash bail and arrests for low-level offenses. Democratic Majority Leader Steve Fenberg was slow to support SB62 but supported SB273.

What to say

Tell the panel that Colorado must end the criminalization of poverty by ending cash bail and systemic racism in policing by reducing arrests for low level offenses that do not affect public safety.

Some talking points

• Black people in Colorado are arrested at 8 x the rate per population than white people for low-level offenses and killed by police at quadruple the rate. Latinx people are killed at double the rate.

• Colorado’s jail populations have exploded 800% since the 70s as arrests have become the first response to homelessness, mental illness, and substance abuse.

• 60% of Coloradans sitting in jail are presumptively innocent and not there because they are dangerous, but because they are too poor to pay bond.

• 71% of ALL arrests since 2013 have been for low-level offenses like traffic violations and petty offenses that do not effect public safety.

• 54% of the Coloradans killed by police since 2013 started as a response to a low-level or NO level offense like a mental health call.