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.


Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Identification Laws Need to Change

The laws surrounding getting a state identification hurts our most vulnerable citizens.

After four hours, two appearances before a judge, a clerk's curt denial and a court order, Bobby Hartwell, a disabled man who faced losing his home if he couldn't prove citizenship, on Tuesday got a state identification card.

Department of Revenue hearing officer Thomas McEwen ruled that Hartwell had proved his citizenship.

"He's my judge!" Hartwell said.

Hartwell, who has cerebral palsy and mental retardation, is among dozens of disabled people put at risk by tougher state rules for proving legal residence to obtain public benefits.

The battle to get Hartwell an ID was waged by Nola Nash of Denver's Atlantis/Adapt Center, which helps the disabled live on their own.


The Denver Post

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