DENVER – This afternoon, Governor John Hickenlooper signed HB 17-1313, a bill passed by more than three-fourths of the Colorado legislature to rein in civil asset forfeiture and ensure that property seizures in Colorado abide by due process protections in Colorado law. The ACLU of Colorado sent a letter on Tuesday urging the Governor to sign the bill and “not stand in the way of bipartisan reform.”
ACLU of Colorado Public Policy Director Denise Maes issued the following statement:

“The ACLU of Colorado applauds Governor Hickenlooper for listening to the thousands of constituents who weighed in over the last few weeks and signing HB 17-1313, Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform, into law.  We also welcome the Governor’s decision to create a task force to identify further reforms and improvements to civil asset forfeiture in Colorado.
“ACLU members and activists sent thousands of emails and made hundreds of calls to the Governor’s office in support of HB 17-1313. Clearly, this issue resonated deeply with many Coloradans who want more transparency and stronger due process protections when police take property.
“We also thank lead sponsors Representatives Leslie Herod and Stephen Humphrey and Senators Tim Neville and Daniel Kagan for their leadership and commitment to advancing this legislation through bipartisan cooperation.  Coloradans benefit when their legislators prioritize good policy over partisan politics, and HB 17-1313 is a great example of the progress that can be made when differing viewpoints come together in support of civil liberties.”
Resources: 

ACLU Urges Governor Hickenlooper to Sign Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform

ACLU Letter to Governor Hickenlooper:
http://static.aclu-co.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/ACLULetterCivilAsset6517.pdf

DENVER – In a letter from Public Policy Director Denise Maes, the ACLU of Colorado strongly urged Governor Hickenlooper to sign HB 17-1313, a bill passed by more than three-fourths of the Colorado legislature to rein in civil asset forfeiture and ensure that property seizures in Colorado abide by due process protections in Colorado law.
“Civil asset forfeiture reform passed the legislature by a combined vote of 81 to 19. It was supported by Republicans, Democrats, libertarians, progressives and just about everyone in between,” said Maes.  “Coloradans want and deserve stronger protections when property is taken by police, and Governor Hickenlooper should not unilaterally stand in the way of bipartisan reform.”
Civil asset forfeiture is a controversial practice in which law enforcement can seize – and then keep or sell – any property, including cash, vehicles, and even homes, that they allege is involved in a crime.
In 2002, the Colorado legislature strengthened Colorado’s civil forfeiture law, but police departments have increasingly avoided the requirements of that law by teaming up with federal agencies and seizing property under much less stringent federal law.  In 2014 alone, $13.5 million in assets were seized in Colorado under federal law.  HB 17-1313 closes that loophole by providing a clear incentive for property with a net worth of $50,000 or less to be seized under state law, not federal law.
“Opponents argue that HB 1313 will make crime fighting more difficult because if there are less forfeiture actions under federal law, local law enforcement agencies will get less money and, therefore, not be able to fight crime. This position is untenable and frankly, I’m surprised this argument is asserted with such vigor,” Maes wrote in the ACLU letter, which was sent by email to Governor Hickenlooper yesterday evening.
“Forfeiture was originally presented as a way to cripple large-scale criminal enterprises by diverting their resources. This argument by the opponents underscores the problem with forfeiture in that many police departments use forfeiture to benefit their bottom lines, making seizures motivated by profit rather than crime-fighting.”
HB 17-1313 also increases transparency into police forfeiture activities.  Departments will be required to detail to the public when they use civil asset forfeiture and list what was taken and what ultimately happened to the property.  Law enforcement will also have to report if the person from whom the property was taken was ever charged with or convicted of a crime.
“We ask that you reject the arguments set forth by the opponents of HB 1313. Forfeiture actions in Colorado should abide by Colorado law,” Maes wrote. “This bill returns us to the Colorado way and it’s a way that better protects the due process rights of Coloradans.”
Resources:

Read the ACLU of Colorado letter:
https://aclu-co.org/sites/default/files/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/ACLULetterCivilAsset6517.pdf

At our 2017 Annual Meeting, we were proud to recognize the significant contributions to civil rights and civil liberties of The Coalition for Compassion and Action, Xavier Long, Kristin Fasy, Rosie Piller, and Nancy Sobel.

The Coalition for Compassion and Action, a grassroots activist organization focused on protecting the rights of people who are poor and vulnerable and opposing criminalization of homelessness in Colorado Springs,  was awarded the 2017 Civil Rights in Action Award.
Since its founding in 2016, the Coalition for Compassion and Action has mobilized hundreds of volunteers, connected individuals and families with services, and had a significant impact on policy debates at the Colorado Springs City Council.


Xavier Long, who bravely spoke out for reform of youth corrections, was honored with the 2017 Youth in Action Award.  Xavier endured violence and mistreatment while incarcerated. He told his story in a web video, testified before the legislature, and lobbied lawmakers for culture-changing legislation to protect other kids in youth facilities.


Kristin Fasy, Rosie Piller, and Nancy Sobel were recognized as 2017 Arlette Baer Volunteers of the Year.
Kristin Fasy devoted hundreds of hours to conducting legal research into health standards and procedures in the Colorado Department of Corrections.  She read through prisoner letters, visited inmates, listened to their stories, and organized the information for our legal department. She sees the humanity in every person she has spoken with and strives to make sure they’re treated with dignity and compassion.
Rosie Piller developed easy-to-understand visual presentations for our volunteer speakers' bureau.  Her work has been viewed by thousands of people across Colorado - people who have benefited from the countless hours that she put into them.  She's tackled complicated issues - Know Your Rights, Voting Rights, ACLU History, and made them simple to teach and understand. She’s meticulous, persistent and dedicated to the work of the ACLU, and her contribution has been immeasurable.
Nancy Sobel volunteered for three years in our intake department.  She read hundreds of letters – some of them heartbreaking – and made sure every person received consideration and a reply. Nancy re-organized our intake database to make it easier to spot patterns of abuse and follow up on them.  She was consistent, reliable and enthusiastic, and we’re extremely grateful for all of her hard work and support.