Bill to Reduce Gun Violence Among Youth Passes Senate Committee

HB25-1250 would seek to educate students and their families about preventing gun violence

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senate Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, to standardize the distribution of educational materials about gun violence prevention to caregivers of Colorado kids passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee today. 

“Preventing acts of gun violence begins at home,” Cutter said. “Some of the most devastating and preventable tragedies in our nation’s history have happened in Colorado schools, and one in three Colorado Middle and High School students say they can access a firearm in their home. Safe storage dramatically reduces firearm suicides and overall youth firearm fatalities. Information is power, and this bill simply helps inform and educate students and their families about gun violence and how to prevent it." 

HB25-1250 would require the Office of Gun Violence Prevention in the Department of Public Health and Environment to accessibly post educational materials about preventing gun violence on its website to be distributed to school districts, charter schools, a board of cooperative services, and the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind at the beginning of each school year. Under the bill, local education providers would also be required to post the materials on their websites.

Denver has worked closely with CU Boulder and Denver Health to use evidence-based approaches to addressing youth violence in Colorado. A Public Health Institute report outlined helpful public health focused strategies to combat youth violence, including the importance of identifying risk factors, intervening before violence can occur, and increasing awareness of this topic as a deterrent of gun violence.

HB25-1250 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.