ACLU Applauds Governor Hickenlooper for Signing Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform

Affiliate: ACLU of Colorado
June 9, 2017 11:00 am

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ACLU of Colorado
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This afternoon, Governor John Hickenlooper signed HB 17-1313, a bill passed by more than three-fourths of the Colorado legislature to rein in civil asset forfeiture and ensure that property seizures in Colorado abide by due process protections in Colorado law. The ACLU of Colorado sent a letter on Tuesday urging the Governor to sign the bill and “not stand in the way of bipartisan reform.”

ACLU of Colorado Public Policy Director Denise Maes issued the following statement:

“The ACLU of Colorado applauds Governor Hickenlooper for listening to the thousands of constituents who weighed in over the last few weeks and signing HB 17-1313, Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform, into law. We also welcome the Governor’s decision to create a task force to identify further reforms and improvements to civil asset forfeiture in Colorado.

ACLU members and activists sent thousands of emails and made hundreds of calls to the Governor’s office in support of HB 17-1313. Clearly, this issue resonated deeply with many Coloradans who want more transparency and stronger due process protections when police take property.

“We also thank lead sponsors Representatives Leslie Herod and Stephen Humphrey and Senators Tim Neville and Daniel Kagan for their leadership and commitment to advancing this legislation through bipartisan cooperation. Coloradans benefit when their legislators prioritize good policy over partisan politics, and HB 17-1313 is a great example of the progress that can be made when differing viewpoints come together in support of civil liberties.”

Resources:

ACLU Urges Governor Hickenlooper to Sign Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform

ACLU Letter to Governor Hickenlooper:
http://static.aclu-co.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/ACLULetterCivilAsset6517.pdf

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