By Andrew Fish
Colorado State Representatives Leslie Herod and Mike Weissman and Senators Pete Lee and Julie Gonzales — joined by a coalition of criminal justice leaders — are calling on Governor Polis to immediately suspend the assessment and collection of criminal and juvenile fees, fines, and costs in light of the unprecedented COVID-19 health and economic crisis.
Over 20 organizations and individuals have joined the letter, including the Colorado Juvenile Defender Center, the Office of the State Public Defender, the Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel, the ACLU of Colorado, and the Colorado Coalition for Criminal Justice Reform.
“Colorado families are already struggling to put food on the table amidst the worst economic downturn since the Great Recession,” said Rep. Herod (D-Denver). “Suspending these punitive fees will give the most vulnerable Coloradans a better chance to stabilize and recover.”
Criminal and juvenile fees, fines, and costs are administrative charges that courts and agencies impose on system-involved youth, adults, and families. They can add up to thousands of dollars, forcing families to choose between paying for necessities – like food, rent, and utilities – and paying court debts.
“We applaud Representative Leslie Herod’s leadership and join her call for an immediate moratorium on criminal and juvenile fees, fines, and costs. During this public health and economic emergency, Colorado families should be able to use their resources to keep the lights on, feed their children, and get medical care, not worry about paying down court debt,” said Ann Roan, a CJDC board member.
As businesses shut down and workers are asked or ordered to stay home, unprecedented numbers of Coloradans are newly unemployed. Economic activity has ground to a halt and extended closures will likely trigger a recession. Even before COVID-19, low-income families and families of color across the state were struggling to pay these costs.
“These fees and fines are a regressive and racially discriminatory tax that disproportionately harms low-income families and families of color in Colorado – the same families that will be hit hardest by this pandemic,” said Stacie Colling, Juvenile Defense Coordinator for the Office of Alternate Defense Counsel.
Governor Polis has already demonstrated compassionate leadership by ensuring workers can get paid sick leave, calling on the federal government to provide cash assistance to Coloradans, applying for emergency federal loans for small businesses, and establishing a statewide relief fund.
“We commend Governor Polis for his leadership during the COVID-19 crisis. This is yet another immediate step he can take to protect the economic resiliency and well-being of Colorado’s families to weather this emergency,” said Denise Maes, Public Policy Director for the ACLU of Colorado.
Andrew Fish is Chief Of Staff for Colorado State Representative Leslie Herod.