SIGNED! Vote Without Fear Act & Bill to Help Incarcerated Coloradans Prepare to Re-enter Society Become Law

Legislation will improve public safety at the ballot box as well as help reduce recidivism

DENVER, CO – Today, Governor Jared Polis signed two bills into law to enhance Colorado’s voting systems and ensure they remain free from attempts at violence, intimidation or coercion, and to help Coloradans in the criminal justice system prepare to reintegrate back into society and reduce recidivism.   

The Vote Without Fear Act, sponsored by Senators Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora) and Sonya Jaquez-Lewis (D-Boulder County), seeks to ensure that Colorado voters can freely cast their vote at the ballot box without fear of violence or intimidation.

“Participating in democracy should never be a scary experience. Every voter deserves to feel safe when exercising their sacred right to vote,” said Sen. Jaquez Lewis. “I’m proud to support legislation that further strengthens our elections by ensuring Coloradans can make their voices heard without fear of intimidation.”

The bill prohibits a person from openly carrying a firearm within 100 feet of any drop box, voter service and polling center (VSPC), or central count facility while an election or any related ongoing election administration activity is in progress to ensure Coloradans can continue to cast their ballot without fear of intimidation.

“The sacred right to vote is a cornerstone of our democracy, and it’s imperative that Coloradans can participate in our democracy without fear,” said Sen. Fields. “We must ensure that voters who wish to make their voice heard at the ballot box feel safe to do so in Colorado, and this commonsense law will implement critical protections to keep our polling places safe and defend voting rights throughout our state.”

Polis also signed SB22-050, sponsored by Senators James Coleman (D-Denver) and Dennis Hisey (R-Fountain), which removes the requirement for Colorado Correctional Industries (CCi) to make a profit. This change will allow the Department of Corrections (DOC) to focus on work programs that benefit the reentry and reintegration of the incarcerated population, rather than focusing on programs that create revenue.

“Without adequate access to housing, education and especially employment, 50 percent of Colorado's formerly incarcerated are reverted back to the system shortly after release. In order for these individuals to be able to rebuild, they must have access to programs that focus on preparing them for re-entry into society, not recidivism,” said Sen. Coleman. “This law will give folks more opportunities to receive skilled training, accountability, responsibility and higher wages, and better promote successful rehabilitation, re-entry, and reintegration into their communities.” 

The bipartisan legislation ensures that the Take TWO (Transitional Work Opportunity) program and CCi programs function under the same division at DOC, and gives DOC greater flexibility to recruit, organize, and create meaningful work programs that provide skilled training, accountability, responsibility and higher wages.