Pikes Peak region leaders say 2022 legislative priorities are repeated and rising crime
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- El Paso County and Colorado Springs elected leaders are calling for a reversal of laws in 2022 that they believe contribute to a higher crime rate.
Those state laws passed over the last few years and are part of an effort to reduce jail and prison populations.
"We all need to stand up for the victims of crime and demand that our legislatures be more focused on protecting public safety," Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers said.
Suthers says the top 2022 legislative priority of Pikes Peak Region law enforcement and elected officials is to address repeated rising crime. The mayor says recent laws passed in the General Assembly make it more difficult for police and prosecutors to do their jobs and says it will become even more challenging in a few months.
"Starting March 1st of this year, that will all change. The first-degree trespass will become a misdemeanor, which means that the officer will serve the suspect a summons just like receiving a traffic ticket. And the suspect will walk away and hopefully go to their court proceedings," Colorado Springs Deputy Chief Adrian Vasquez said.
On March 1, Colorado's sentencing structure for misdemeanor crimes will change. In less than two months, the severest punishment for a misdemeanor starting in March will be 364 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, compared to up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000.
El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder says his jail population has decreased by 500 inmates since 2018.
"That's because of these changes. That's because we no longer have the ability to hold inmates in our jail that should be in our jail," Elder said.
When asked by KRDO for specific cases that highlight the concerns of the Pikes Peak area law enforcement about the recent law changes, District Attorney Michael Allen described the 1976 murder case of housekeeper Janet Conrad at the Antlers Hotel. In 2014, 38 years after the murder, Robert Ballie was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
"Today, if that same offender was charged for the same exact offense, he would face as little as 16 years in prison. That's a great example of how we have seen the legislation change sentencing and it would negatively impact a particular case. To me, 16 years for a sex assault murder is way too short. It's way too low. And it's not justice," Allen explained.
Elected leaders are urging El Paso County residents to watch the legislative session.
"There's a general election coming up next November, and that's really the only means we have to hold our legislators accountable," Suthers said.
