Senate Approves Bill to Address CBI Backlog

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senator Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, to address the backlog in DNA tests collected by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the aftermath of sexual assaults passed the Senate today. 

"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," Weissman said.  "This session, bipartisan majorities in the legislature have 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. Senate Bill 304 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 bill is part of our ongoing commitment to do better for survivors of these horrible offenses."

SB25-304 would create The Colorado Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Evidence Review Board, whose mission mirrors that of the existing Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board. The board would review and monitor the effectiveness of current protocols, standards, and training practices in the criminal legal system response to sexual assault. Under the bill, it would be required to make 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 bill would:

• 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,

• Require that crime labs endeavor to analyze test kits and upload results within 60 days, 

• Instruct CBI to create a public-facing dashboard that provides reports on the forensic medical evidence and DNA evidence backlog within 90 days, and

• Expand existing reporting rules to require that each member of the General Assembly receives updated information about turn around times and backlog progress twice each year. 

Earlier this year, a former Colorado Bureau of Investigation forensic scientist was charged with manipulating and mishandling data in the DNA testing process of more than 800 criminal cases dating back as far back as 2014. This has contributed to the 558-day wait to receive results for a sexual assault kit. SB25-304 and HB25-1275 are a direct response to CBI crime laboratory misconduct and will help uphold the integrity of Colorado’s forensic system.

SB25-304 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.