Colorado Senate passes juvenile life sentencing bill

Colorado’s Senate has passed a bill that would bring the state in line with U.S. Supreme Court rulings that mandatory life without parole sentences for youth offenders are unconstitutional.

Sponsors Laura Woods and Cheri Jahn accused Colorado’s district attorneys of bullying and fearmongering in their vocal opposition to the bill.

The bill affects 48 inmates who are serving life without parole for first-degree murder and other crimes they committed as youths between 1990 and 2006.

Colorado ended the no-parole sentencing practice in 2006.

The bill would help those 48 inmates seek – but not guarantee – new sentences.

It goes to the House after Tuesday’s 33-2 vote.