Public Policy
COVA strives to raise the understanding of victim issues within the consciousness of policy makers and the general public to a level where all crime victims are viewed with honor and respect and their rights are recognized as an essential element of the criminal justice process. To further these goals, COVA addresses public policy issues both inside and outside the legislative arena. COVA monitors proposed bills and advocates on issues relevant to crime victims and those who serve them on a daily basis. Legislative advocacy involves coalition-building with other victim advocacy groups; assisting members in identifying and implementing ways to educate their communities; and raising legislators’ awareness and knowledge of crime victim issues. COVA also monitors federal initiatives and issues that affect victims’ rights.
View our Public Policy Updates webinar from December 2017.
View our Public Policy Updates webinar from December 2017.
Legislative Victims' Rights Caucus
COVA is proud to announce the 7th year of the Colorado Crime Victims' Rights Caucus. This caucus hopes to serve as the General Assembly's subject matter experts in ensuring that the rights of crime victims are appropriately balanced in the consideration of criminal justice policy.
2019 Victims' Rights Caucus Sponsors:
2019 Caucus Meetings:
Wed., January 23, Noon – 1PM
Colorado State Capitol, House Committee Room 109
Topic: Victim Impact: Sex Crimes Committed by Juveniles
View the recorded session: https://global.gotomeeting.com/play/recording/3d5c5048cf1e8d42ab4d1b997209376d61743bb8eabf5ee93db3a4ada0a99164
Speakers:
Amanda Gall, Sex Assault Resource Prosecutor, Colorado District Attorney's
Council
Allison Boyd, Victim/Witness Director, 1st Judicial District Attorney's O ice
Jenny Stith, Executive Director, WINGS Foundation
Colorado State Capitol, House Committee Room 109
Topic: Victim Impact: Sex Crimes Committed by Juveniles
View the recorded session: https://global.gotomeeting.com/play/recording/3d5c5048cf1e8d42ab4d1b997209376d61743bb8eabf5ee93db3a4ada0a99164
Speakers:
Amanda Gall, Sex Assault Resource Prosecutor, Colorado District Attorney's
Council
Allison Boyd, Victim/Witness Director, 1st Judicial District Attorney's O ice
Jenny Stith, Executive Director, WINGS Foundation
Wed., February 20, Noon – 1PM
Colorado State Capitol, House Committee Room 107
Topic: "It's Not Over" - Post-Sentencing Victims' Rights
Due to technical difficulties we were unable to livestream this event.
Speakers:
Lalla O'Bryan, Vice President Client Relations, Appriss Safety
Joe Cannata, Executive Director, Voices of Victims
Anthony Antuna, Colorado VINE Program Manager, County Sheriffs of Colorado
Colorado State Capitol, House Committee Room 107
Topic: "It's Not Over" - Post-Sentencing Victims' Rights
Due to technical difficulties we were unable to livestream this event.
Speakers:
Lalla O'Bryan, Vice President Client Relations, Appriss Safety
Joe Cannata, Executive Director, Voices of Victims
Anthony Antuna, Colorado VINE Program Manager, County Sheriffs of Colorado
There was no caucus scheduled for March 2019!
Wed., April 17, Noon – 1PM
Colorado State Capitol, House Committee Room 107
Topic: Victim Impact - Rising Crime Rates & Rural Colorado
View the Recorded Session:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/play/recording/63e0f3224014c1dd0e2716695f7e3cafb48f2edb39a7445b04b624facf70c086
Speaker:
Jim Bullock, 16th JD District Attorney (Crowley, Otero, & Bent Counties)
Colorado State Capitol, House Committee Room 107
Topic: Victim Impact - Rising Crime Rates & Rural Colorado
View the Recorded Session:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/play/recording/63e0f3224014c1dd0e2716695f7e3cafb48f2edb39a7445b04b624facf70c086
Speaker:
Jim Bullock, 16th JD District Attorney (Crowley, Otero, & Bent Counties)
Legislator Attendance:
Contact your representative and encourage them to attend in person or via our new live streaming option!
Thank you to all of the senators, representatives and aides who attended the Crime Victim's Rights Caucus!
Thank you to all of the senators, representatives and aides who attended the Crime Victim's Rights Caucus!
Thank you to the following legislators who were in attendance of the January 2019 Caucus:
Rep. Cathy Kipp
Rep. Dominique Jackson
Rep. Tom Sullivan
Rep. Lois Landgraf
Rep. Terri Carver
Rep. Hugh McKean
Also, Sen. Julie Gonzales, Sen. Rhonda Fields, Rep. Matt Soper, Rep. James D. Wilson, Sen. Pete Lee, Rep. Adrienne Benavidez, Sen. Jessie Danielson, and Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet had aides in attendance.
Rep. Cathy Kipp
Rep. Dominique Jackson
Rep. Tom Sullivan
Rep. Lois Landgraf
Rep. Terri Carver
Rep. Hugh McKean
Also, Sen. Julie Gonzales, Sen. Rhonda Fields, Rep. Matt Soper, Rep. James D. Wilson, Sen. Pete Lee, Rep. Adrienne Benavidez, Sen. Jessie Danielson, and Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet had aides in attendance.
Thank you to the following legislators who were in attendance of the February 2019 Caucus:
Sen. Rhonda Fields
Rep. Lori Saine
Rep. Tom Sullivan
Rep. Monica Duran
Sen. Mike Foote
Rep. Kimmi Lewis
Rep. Adrienne Benavidez
Rep. Meg Froelich
Sen. Bob Gardner
Rep. Perry Buck
Also, Rep. Jonathan Singer, Rep. Barbara McLachlan, Rep. Dominique Jackson, and Sen. Julie Gonzales had aides in attendance.
Sen. Rhonda Fields
Rep. Lori Saine
Rep. Tom Sullivan
Rep. Monica Duran
Sen. Mike Foote
Rep. Kimmi Lewis
Rep. Adrienne Benavidez
Rep. Meg Froelich
Sen. Bob Gardner
Rep. Perry Buck
Also, Rep. Jonathan Singer, Rep. Barbara McLachlan, Rep. Dominique Jackson, and Sen. Julie Gonzales had aides in attendance.
Thank you to the following legislators who were in attendance of the April 2019 Caucus:
Sen. Bob Gardner
Rep. Tom Sullivan, Rep. Meg Froelich, and Rep. Jonathan Singer had aides in attendance.
Sen. Bob Gardner
Rep. Tom Sullivan, Rep. Meg Froelich, and Rep. Jonathan Singer had aides in attendance.
For policy and other COVA updates, click here to sign up for our newsletter.
If you don't already receive emails from COVA, including policy alerts, click the button below:
Highlighted Bill: H.R. 818
Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) and Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) are sponsoring bill HR 818 which creates a “lockbox” to ensure that money in the Crime Victims Fund cannot be used for anything other than victims’ programs authorized under the law of the VOCA statute in 1984. Contact your US House Representative to ask them to support the bill.
Bill Summary
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). Because of this law, convicted felons in Federal courts are assessed fines and must pay into the Crime Victims Fund. That money is used for victim services and helps pay for injuries, medical expenses, etc. As of today, the fund holds approximately $12 billion—this is not taxpayer funded money. The federal government regularly withdraws money from the fund to directly offset costs of unrelated government projects. H.R. 818 ensures VOCA funds can only be used for their original intent: helping victims of crime. Click here to read the bill.
COVA's Stance
What happens in Congress often feels very removed from our daily lives, but this issue is particularly important for those who care about the well-being of victims of crime. Over the years and over several administrations, there have been a number of attempts to permanently divert the money in the crime victims’ fund for unrelated expenses. In the words of bill sponsor Rep. Ted Poe, "This money does not belong to the Federal Government. It is not taxpayer money. It is money that belongs to victims." Only a fraction of that money is spent each year for victims, depriving them of needed services. H.R. 818 creates a ‘‘lockbox’’ to ensure that money in the fund cannot be used for anything other than victims’ programs authorized under the law of the VOCA statute in 1984.
Action
If you agree with COVA's stance, contact your U.S. House Representative and ask them to support HR 818.
Bill Summary
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). Because of this law, convicted felons in Federal courts are assessed fines and must pay into the Crime Victims Fund. That money is used for victim services and helps pay for injuries, medical expenses, etc. As of today, the fund holds approximately $12 billion—this is not taxpayer funded money. The federal government regularly withdraws money from the fund to directly offset costs of unrelated government projects. H.R. 818 ensures VOCA funds can only be used for their original intent: helping victims of crime. Click here to read the bill.
COVA's Stance
What happens in Congress often feels very removed from our daily lives, but this issue is particularly important for those who care about the well-being of victims of crime. Over the years and over several administrations, there have been a number of attempts to permanently divert the money in the crime victims’ fund for unrelated expenses. In the words of bill sponsor Rep. Ted Poe, "This money does not belong to the Federal Government. It is not taxpayer money. It is money that belongs to victims." Only a fraction of that money is spent each year for victims, depriving them of needed services. H.R. 818 creates a ‘‘lockbox’’ to ensure that money in the fund cannot be used for anything other than victims’ programs authorized under the law of the VOCA statute in 1984.
Action
If you agree with COVA's stance, contact your U.S. House Representative and ask them to support HR 818.
CCJJ Meetings: Getting Involved
COVA highly encourages that people who are interested in protecting the rights of crime victims in Colorado attend meetings of the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ) and related subcommittees and workgroups. CCJJ provides the legislature with policy recommendations on sentencing, alternatives to incarceration and many other issues related to the criminal justice system. It is crucial that the voices of crime victims are not lost in this process. Please note that while CCJJ meetings are open to the public, public comment is not always allowed.
Click here for a link to the CCJJ master calendar with all committee and subgroup meeting dates.
Click here for a link to the CCJJ master calendar with all committee and subgroup meeting dates.
COVA's Public Policy Toolkit for Legislative Advocacy:
COVA's Public Policy Committee has put together a Public Policy Toolkit for Legislative Advocacy to assist in improving legislative advocacy for crime victims. This toolkit provides a step-by-step process on how you can get involved and several options on how to do so. It is vital that we all work together to reach out to our legislators to raise awareness on the impact that certain bills may have on crime victims. Please check out the Public Policy Toolkit below!
|
Contact COVA's Public Policy Committee: If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions please contact Sterling Harris at the following e-mail:
|
|