Colorado Springs Mayor calls for veto on fentanyl bill

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers is calling on Governor Jared Polis to veto the fentanyl bill passed by the state legislature Wednesday night.

The mayor released a statement, saying, "The bill that the Colorado legislature passed is wholly inadequate to address this critical problem that is resulting in the death of far too many Coloradans.” Suthers also said the legislature is "protecting" defendants from felony prosecution for possessing fentanyl.

Suthers concluded the statement by asking the governor to veto the bill, writing, "I hope the governor will attempt to rectify the situation and I hope the voters of Colorado recognize this as the failure of leadership that it is.”

Thursday morning, Suthers joined District Attorney Michael Allen in a press conference discussing the bill.

In a press release, Allen asks Polis to "consider all options before signing this bill, including a veto and a call for a special session."

Watch the press conference below:

Read the full statement from Suthers below:

“The bill that the Colorado legislature passed is wholly inadequate to address this critical problem that is resulting in the death of far too many Coloradans. In placing upon prosecutors the burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant knew the substance they possessed was fentanyl, the legislature, in almost every instance, is protecting the defendant from felony prosecution. The stark reality remains that someone in Colorado can possess enough fentanyl to kill hundreds of people and avoid serious consequences by merely asserting they didn’t know it was fentanyl. The Democrat majorities in the legislature have thus far shown themselves wholly incapable of adequately dealing with this public health crisis. I hope the governor will attempt to rectify the situation and I hope the voters of Colorado recognize this as the failure of leadership that it is.”

Mayor John Suthers, Colorado Springs