A bill that could reduce jail populations in Colorado passed its first hurdle Thursday by a 3-2 vote along party lines at the State Capitol. It’s called Senate Bill 62. Its supporters say it’s a way to take some of the practices law enforcement has used around the state to reduce jail populations during the Covid pandemic and convert those changes into law. Democratic Senator Pete Lee from the Springs is one of the bill’s sponsors. He says the state saved over 200 million dollars last year as officers issued more summons’ than arrest warrants. Democrats see the measure as a way to reduce jail populations. Republicans don’t like it because under the measure people who commit some felonies would only get a summons and would not be taken to jail immediately. The measure now moves to the appropriations committee.
