SR 7 — April 2026 Second Chance Month

SENATE RESOLUTION 26-007 BY SENATOR(S) Marchman, Amabile, Baisley, Ball, Benavidez, Bridges, Bright, Carson, Cutter, Danielson, Daugherty, Exum, Frizell, Gonzales J., Hinrichsen,Jodeh,Kipp,Kirkmeyer,Kolker,Lindstedt,Liston,Mullica,PeltonHinrichsen, Jodeh, Kipp,Kirkmeyer,Kolker, Lindstedt,Liston,Mullica,Pelton B., Pelton R., Rich, Roberts, Rodriguez, Simpson, Snyder, Sullivan, Wallace, Weissman, Zamora Wilson, ColemanColeman. .

and WHEREAS, Between incarceration, parole, probation, and youth services,thereareroughly100,000individualsinColoradoalonewhoareservices,there areroughly 100,000individuals inColorado alonewho are under the supervision ofofthe the state's Department ofofCorrections; Corrections;

and WHEREAS, Over 95% ofofthe the individuals in Colorado's state prisons areultimatelyreleasedandreturntotheircommunities,withanestimatedareultimatelyreleasedandreturntotheir communities, withan estimated 6,000 individuals released annually;

this numbernumberis isequivalentto equivalent to 20% of the number ofofnew new entrants to Colorado's workforce each year;

and WHEREAS, Individuals with a criminal record, however, often face a"secondprison"intheformofa "collateralconsequences",whicharethe"secondprison" inthe form of"collateral consequences", which are the legal and regulatory restrictions, non-court-imposed penalties, and significant social barriers that result from a conviction;

and WHEREAS, One ofofthe the most impactful collateral consequences, the enhanceddifficultyinfindinggainfulemployment,inhibitstheeconomicenhanceddifficultyinfinding gainful employment, inhibitsthe economic mobility of people with a criminal record, which has severe negative impacts on the well-being ofoftheir their children and families for generations;

and WHEREAS,Manycollateralconsequencesaremandatory,automatic,WHEREAS,Manycollateralconsequences aremandatory, automatic, and indefinite, taking effect regardlessregardlessfthe of the lack of any proven public safetybenefitandwithoutanyconsiderationtowardtheseriousnessofansafetybenefit andwithout any considerationtowardthe seriousness ofan offense, the time passed since the offense, or an individual's efforts to make amends and earn back the public's trust;

and limit opportunities for.for individuals with a criminal record to honor their second chance, contribute to their community, and help others inintheir their situation, as many choose to do;

and WHEREAS, For example, Charles Colson, who was convicted of Watergate-related crimes, dedicated his second chance following his incarceration to founding Prison Fellowship, the nation's largest Christian-faith-basedChristian-faith-basednonprofit nonprofit for prisoners, formerprisoners,former andprisoners, theirandtheir families,whichhasthemissionofadvocatingforcriminaljusticereformsfamilies, whichhasthemission ofadvocatingfor criminaljusticereforms that "validate victims, help transform those responsible for crime, and create safer communities";

and WHEREAS, Redemption and second chances are long-standing Americanvalues,asistheprinciplethateveryindividualisendowedwithAmericanvalues, as istheprinciplethateveryindividualis endowedwith human dignity and deserving ofofrespect; respect;

and WHEREAS, Designating April 2026 as Second Chance Month will increasepublicawarenessofincreasepublic theneedtohelpprovidesecondchancesforawareness ofthe need to help provide second chances for those with criminal records so that they may achieve closure, embrace hope, and pursue a brighter future;

now, therefore, Be It ResolvedResolvedby by the Senate ofofthe the Seventy-fifth GeneralGeneralAssembly Assembly of the State ofofColorado: Colorado:

That we, the members ofofthe the Colorado Senate:

(2) Honor the work of communities, governmental institutions, nonprofits, congregations, employers, and individuals in removing the unnecessary collateral consequences that impede individuals with a criminal record from becoming productive members ofofsociety; society;

Be It Further Resolved,Resolved,That That copies ofofthis this Senate Resolution be sent to Donald Trump, President of the United States;

JD Vance, Vice President ofofthe the United States;

Dianne Primavera, Lieutenant Governor ofofColorado; Colorado;

and the members ofofColorado's Colorado's Congressional delegation.

____________________________ ____________________________ James Rashad Coleman Sr.