Former state representative chosen to fill vacant Colorado Senate seat
The Democratic vacancy committee has selected Adrienne Benavidez, a former state representative, to fill a vacant seat in the Colorado Senate. Benavidez, from Commerce City, will replace former Sen. Dafna Michaelson Jenet after winning the vacancy election. Michaelson Jenet resigned to take a position with the David Merage Foundation for Confronting Antisemitism. Benavidez will represent Senate District 21, covering areas from north metro Denver to parts of Adams and Arapahoe counties.
Former Colorado senator sentenced for falsifying support letters
Former state Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, a Longmont Democrat, was sentenced to two years of probation and 150 hours of community service after being convicted on four felony charges. Jaquez Lewis submitted forged letters of support to the Senate Ethics Committee during an investigation into her treatment of aides. She admitted to making “bad decisions” and claimed the letters were a mistake.
Colorado bill proposes new fees on alcohol sales for treatment and prevention
Colorado legislators are considering new fees on alcohol sales to fund prevention and treatment programs, similar to the state’s taxation of gambling revenues to address addiction costs. House Bill 1271 aims to establish three state enterprises to collect fees on beer, wine, and spirits. The state recorded 1,419 alcohol-induced deaths in 2024, prompting the need for additional funding for prevention efforts.
Bill introduced to ban prop bets on sports apps in Colorado
A bipartisan bill, SB26-131, has been filed in Colorado to prohibit sports-betting apps from offering proposition bets on individual athletes’ performances. The legislation also seeks to limit gambling habits by restricting credit card usage on betting apps, controlling deposits, and reducing advertising. Lawmakers hope to curb gambling addiction and betting scandals in professional sports.
Colorado reduces rape kit testing backlog, but lag time remains high
Colorado forensic officials have made progress in reducing the backlog of sexual assault kit testing, but the turnaround time still exceeds six months. The state auditor’s office reported a 190-day testing lag, falling short of the legislature’s 60-day goal. Efforts are underway to further streamline the process and improve testing times.
Colorado Senate passes measure allowing lawsuits against ICE agents
The Colorado Senate approved a measure that would permit residents to sue federal agents for constitutional violations during immigration enforcement. Senate Bill 5, backed by Democrats, aims to provide legal recourse for individuals whose rights are infringed during immigration actions. The bill is part of a series of legislative efforts to address concerns about federal immigration enforcement practices.
Lawmakers address Big Data, housing bills, and ICE liability in the Colorado legislature
The Colorado legislature is tackling a range of issues this week, including debates on housing policies, regulations on Big Data sharing, and liability for ICE actions. Senate Bill 5, which allows lawsuits against federal agents, is among the key priorities for lawmakers. Stay informed with the latest developments in Colorado politics by signing up for the weekly newsletter, The Spot.
