SB21-062: Jail Population Management Tools

SB21-62 Memorializes Smart Jail Depopulation Policies already in place in many CO counties.

Increase use of summons in lieu of arrest. SB21-062 increases officer discretion to issue summons, requires summons for low-level offenses, and increases summons for misdemeanors and low-level felonies when there is no safety risk requiring incarceration.
Decrease use of cash bonds. 60% of Colorado’s jail population are unconvicted people incarcerated only because they cannot afford to post money bond. SB21-062 limits the use of money bonds for misdemeanors and low-level felonies to cases where there is a safety risk or a flight risk.
Empower Sheriffs to continue to safely depopulate county jails. SB21-062 ensures Sheriffs can continue to institute safe jail population reduction policies in their jail even after the end of the COVID-19 crisis.