Miranda Gordon Justice For Survivors Act of 2025 Becomes Law to Address CBI Backlog
DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law to address the backlog in DNA tests collected in sexual assault investigations by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
"CBI’s backlog exceeding 550 days is unacceptable,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “There are over 1,300 survivors waiting for their results, and each number is a real person who is seeking the answers they need to pursue accountability and justice. Survivors deserve better, and this law shows them that Colorado stands with them in their fight.”
"Colorado has struggled for years to quickly test evidence related to sexual assault offenses, leaving survivors of these crimes without justice and the broader community without safety," said Senator Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. "This session, bipartisan majorities in the legislature supported additional funding to catch up on the backlog of evidence requiring testing and heightened transparency requirements so the public can be more fully aware of how this work is progressing. SB304 builds on this work by requiring better communication about evidence test status to survivors of sexual assault offenses, increased reporting, and investment in a new board to improve communication and coordination across state and local forensic labs. This law is part of our ongoing commitment to do better for survivors of these horrible offenses."
"The CBI backlog has had devastating consequences on survivors and victims, and this new law helps to create a system that puts them at the forefront,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “I have proudly sponsored numerous laws to bolster how Colorado handles and processes sexual assault kits, including allowing victims to track the status of their case. This law will improve accountability and address the backlog so survivors can seek the justice they deserve."
SB25-304, titled the “Miranda Gordon Justice For Survivors Act of 2025”, creates the Colorado Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Evidence Review Board, whose mission mirrors that of the existing Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board. Under the law, the board will review and evaluate the effectiveness of current protocols, standards, and training practices in the criminal legal system's response to sexual assault. The law also requires making victim-centered recommendations for improvement in accordance with the federal Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to the General Assembly by November 1, 2026.
Additionally, the law will:
Create a notification requirement under the Victim Rights Act that a law enforcement agency must notify victims at least once every 90 days if they have not received DNA test results for their case;
Directs crime labs to analyze test kits and upload the information within 60 days, when appropriate, and subject to available resources;
Instruct CBI to create a public-facing dashboard that provides reports on the forensic medical evidence and DNA evidence backlog at least every thirty days; and
Expand existing reporting rules to require that CBI send each member of the General Assembly the dashboard data and updates on lab contracting issues affecting CBI’s testing capacity or timeline projections, at least every thirty days.
Earlier this year, a former CBI forensic scientist - Missy Woods - was charged with manipulating and mishandling data in the DNA testing process of more than1,000 criminal casesdating back as far back as 2014. This has contributed to the554-day waitto receive results for a sexual assault kit. SB25-304 andHB25-1275are a direct response to CBI crime laboratory misconduct and will help uphold the integrity of Colorado’s forensic system.