Here is a partial list of the public safety bills I ran that were signed into law:

Increased Prosecution and Criminal Penalties for Child Pornography.  Updated Colorado’s criminal statute to reflect how child pornography rings are currently operating on the Internet to help prosecutors go after these criminals.  Criminal penalties increased for these horrific crimes.

Rights of Crime Victims.  I worked closely with crime victims’ groups on this bill to ensure crime victims had the right to be heard at every stage of the criminal justice process—from the initial bond hearing, through the trial and sentencing, and applications for early parole. 

Child imprisonment. The child imprisonment bill makes it a felony to confine a child in specific egregious circumstances. This bill came from a local case of horrific child abuse—brought to my attention by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. 

Strengthen sexual assault laws. This bill adds certain conduct to the definition of illegal sexual contact in response to a 2018 court acquittal in a sexual assault case. We must ensure that sexual assault crimes are fully prosecuted.

Revenge pornography. Closed loopholes in current criminal statute on revenge pornography being used by criminals to avoid prosecution.  Revenge pornography is the posting or distribution of sexual photos without the pictured person’s permission.  

Organized Retail Theft - Stop Store Value Cards Fraud. Require that secondhand dealers (such as pawn shops) record transactions involving store value cards (gift/store credit cards).  I learned about the organized retail theft gangs’ wide-spread theft and fraudulent use of these cards from a Colorado Springs Home Depot and the District Attorney’s office.

Fencing Stolen Goods Online.  The business community came to me and asked for a bill to address the huge surge in theft from retail stores. This bill requires online sale platforms to verify ownership of goods being offered for sale and have other documentation (similar to pawn shops).      

Support Law Enforcement.  I ran legislation (signed into law) to increase support for the Peace Officers Mental Health grant program.  Law enforcement officers were suffering increased mental health issues from anti-law enforcement legislation and lack of support in some Colorado communities. 

I Fought hard against “soft on crime” and anti-law enforcement bills: 

• Defunding police & anti-law enforcement bills following the George Floyd incident.

• Requiring no cash bond release of those charged with crimes back into the community.

• Reducing criminal sentences for a broad range of crimes, including reducing drug offenses (fentanyl and many other drugs) from felonies to misdemeanors; reduced penalties for crimes during protests, public property vandalism, blocking highway access, etc. Early Parole from prison.

• Restricting juvenile detention beds forcing prosecutors to release extremely violent juveniles into the community as they await trial.

• Eliminating death penalty in all cases.

• On the horrific anti-law enforcement SB20-217, I worked hard to get amendments on the bill in the House to water down the destruction being done to our police departments.  Then (unlike some Republicans), I voted NO. https://leg.colorado.gov/content/sb20-217vote7064a7. I also supported legislation for more funding for police departments due to the negative impact of this bill.

  
  

Since Leaving Office (2023-2025)

Truth in Sentencing (Limiting Early Parole) Ballot Initiative – I gathered hundreds of signatures to get initiative on ballot, restricting early parole if convicted of a serious felony.  Voters approved this initiative to restrict early parole by a significant margin. 

Already working with District Attorney Michael Allen and Sheriff Joe Roybal on legislation to reverse “soft on crime” laws passed by radical Democrats, that has caused crime to skyrocket in Colorado. Common Sense Institute Report (Oct. 2024): CO 8th worst in violent crime, 4th worst in property crime, and 4th worst in auto theft.