Who is the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition?

Our mission is to reverse the trend of mass incarceration in Colorado. We are a coalition of nearly 7,000 individual members and over 100 faith and community organizations who have united to stop perpetual prison expansion in Colorado through policy and sentence reform.

Our chief areas of interest include drug policy reform, women in prison, racial injustice, the impact of incarceration on children and families, the problems associated with re-entry and stopping the practice of using private prisons in our state.

If you would like to be involved please go to our website and become a member.


Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Lawmakers propose changes to drug sentencing - KRDO.com Colorado Springs and Pueblo News, Weather and Sports

Lawmakers propose changes to drug sentencing - KRDO.com Colorado Springs and Pueblo News, Weather and Sports

DENVER (AP) - Drug users could end up spending less time behind bars to free up more money for treatment under an overhaul of the state's drug laws being pushed by bipartisan group of lawmakers.

The bill introduced Tuesday also has the support of prosecutors, public defenders and Attorney General John Suthers.

State law now treats drug users and dealers much the same and people convicted of possession can face between two to six years in state prison. The bill would create a distinction between dealing and using and raise the threshold for possession to four grams for most drugs.

Prosecutors would be able to charge drug users with a less severe felony carrying a sentence of between 12 and 18 months. They'd still retain the right to charge anyone with distribution however.








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