April 5, 2013

Statement of ACLU of Colorado Legal Director Mark Silverstein on the conclusion of the Denver Manager of Safety’s review of the Alex Landau Case.

“This decision will do nothing to restore the public’s broken faith in Denver’s ability to hold police accountable for egregious misconduct. We had hoped that with a new mayor, a new police chief, and a new manager of safety that we would put an end to what so many have come to regard as business as usual. Two years ago the ACLU of Colorado asked the Department of Justice to investigate the Denver Police Department’s pattern and practice of violating the civil rights of Denver residents. We renew that call today.

“The public will find it hard to believe that police did not engage in excessive force in light of Alex Landau’s serious injuries and the $800,000 settlement that Denver has already paid in compensation.” 

For more information on the ACLU of Colorado's work to stop incidents of excessive force and racial profiling committed by Denver's Police and Sheriff Departments, click here.

Statement of ACLU of Colorado Executive Director Nathan Woodliff-Stanley on today's defeat of the death penalty repeal (HB1264) in the Colorado House Judiciary Committee

"The ACLU of Colorado is highly disappointed that the House Judiciary Committee chose not to end the state's unjust and unfair use of the death penalty.

"The vast majority of law enforcement professionals agree that the death penalty does not deter crime. It is an enormous waste of taxpayer dollars, its use has been arbitrary and often discriminatory, and it poses an unacceptable risk of executing an innocent person.

"Ending the death penalty and replacing it with the more cost-effective and fair alternative of permanent imprisonment remains a top priority of the ACLU of Colorado. Opponents of repeal cited a need for more conversation and debate, and we are committed to being a catalyst for that conversation until the death penalty is ended in Colorado once and for all."

We are excited to announce two new wonderful additions to our staff.

John Krieger joins us as our Director of Communications and Outreach. Previously, he was a staff attorney, lobbyist, and Communications Director for the United States Public Interest Research Group in Washington D.C., where he led successful media and grassroots organizing campaigns on issues ranging from public health and product safety to eliminating waste and fraud in federal contracting. He has secured quotes and placed media in several national and local outlets, including the New York Times, Associated Press, Denver Post, and the Wall Street Journal. He directed a national field campaign to create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which The Hill recognized as one of the top 10 lobbying victories of 2010. He earned his law degree from the University of Richmond and a Master’s of Law specialized in International Protection of Human Rights from American University. He serves on the Alumni Board of Directors for Flagler College, where he earned an undergraduate degree in journalism and public relations, and he was awarded the Young Alumni Achievement Award in 2010.

Jessica Howard comes aboard the organization as our new Legal Assistant. Prior to working with the ACLU, Jessica worked as the Legislative Intern for Colorado State Senator Gail Schwartz in 2003. She also worked as the Legal Intern for Colorado Legal Services in 2009. Jessica received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Colorado and is currently pursuing her Certificate in Paralegal Studies. A Colorado native, Jessica is excited to work for the ACLU of Colorado because of their “continued dedication to protect the civil liberties of all citizens in Colorado.”

We welcome John and Jessica to the ACLU of Colorado team!