Colorado Senate rejects body camera bill

The Colorado Senate shot down a plan to expand the use of body cameras for officers.

The body camera bill would have created a grant program for police departments to buy the cameras.

Sen. Kent Lambert, a member of the committee that turned down the bill, said there was concern that police departments already have money for the cameras.

Pueblo police already use body cameras. The department said it spends about $100,000 every year on the cameras. Deputy Chief Troy Davenport said it is worth the money.

“The officers are collecting valuable evidence for presentation in court. It has a positive effect on citizens’ behavior and officers’ behaviors alike,” he said.

Officers have recorded more than 30,000 hours of video so far this year.