[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6627123,"mediaKeyId","2730235-b9f1aada4e27d9420a2fd9c90e8d5d5d","parentId",2730235,"title","Aurora committee backs Space National Guard bill, adopts positions on state failure-to-appear and transit-safety measures","audioSeconds",86,"startMs",35850,"endMs",122550,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730235-b9f1aada4e27d9420a2fd9c90e8d5d5d&start=35&end=122","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730235-b9f1aada4e27d9420a2fd9c90e8d5d5d/thumbnail_35850.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6627123/Aurora-City/Douglas-County/Colorado/Aurora-committee-backs-Space-National-Guard-bill-adopts-positions-on-state-failure-to-appear-and-transit-safety-measures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627123-b4267045ce1e270a54357989f495d58e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187352&Signature=QQnIjE9iUzNaknW5Aow9BP6AqsufSkgU54CLQ6xzG796h6mb9hhSuwJgBsMBzXHxqdLR6sqXNcJu8huP9fk0l7uSV4BwknrBkIlzTUa~ofNjktI8H4~lf-qS6vwckHdHTdMupZdLCpevfNt69-RkRHO-cKRxbyEDoeB~KkbtOGBaAgm4U~cUvNZ4rzFsYs-8toqMcj8RbeZWIDN-5R-~hPIP9q7A6orcRjcBNXDZNGHW6RvhlrIAadQySaHFl5kHyexZM6-zLCveCgom31n--fPENd-vR-8uzuwB1w9YxqqDuJheT9f617Pi-PYCmohCqrUqIUX9OW~rZsyYeThfKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Aurora City, CO","date","2025-03-21T19:30:04.277Z","article","Aurora — The Aurora City Council Federal & State Legislative Committee voted to back federal legislation to create a Space National Guard and took positions on several state bills, including support for a transit-worker assault measure and a court tool to address repeated failure-to-appear cases, while opposing Senate Bill 62.

City staffer Liz, presenting the federal item, said the pair of measures — “Senate bill 963, House resolution 2,042” — would “establish the Space National Guard.” Liz said the committee’s recommended position is to support the legislation, which staff argued would help members of the National Guard remain in Colorado rather than being reassigned elsewhere.

The vote to move the Space National Guard position forward was recorded as approved by committee members who spoke on the item.

Why it matters: committee members said the package of state and federal positions aligns with Aurora’s priorities for supporting service members and public safety while the legislature finishes its work this spring.

Most important votes and debate

- Transit-worker assault: The committee voted to support House Bill 25-1290, a bill sought by the Regional Transportation District (RTD) that would create a specific criminal offense for assaulting transit workers and change the offense to third-degree assault in some cases. Liz told the committee RTD requested Aurora’s support and staff recommended concurring with that request.

- Failure-to-appear: The committee voted to support House Bill 25-1276 (often referenced in committee materials as HB 251276), a measure sponsored through Colorado Municipal League (CML) that would give courts discretion to require security (cash or surety) after repeated failure-to-appear or when a case is set for trial. Liz and Judge Dade explained the bill addresses what Judge Dade described as a “revolving door” when defendants repeatedly miss court dates and are released on PR bonds after brief custody.

Judge Dade said, “62 takes away a tool that we currently have on our books with the substantive charge of pay to appear. 12‑76 is a bill that we should support because it gives us additional tools ... what the court can do in the way of requiring some form of monetary bond.”

- Opposition to Senate Bill 62: Committee members recorded opposition to Senate Bill 62 (the “failure-to-appear” bill the committee said would restrict some municipal enforcement tools). Mayor Kaufman described the draft legislation as “real pro-criminal, anti-victim” and several committee members said SB 62 would limit tools currently available to municipal courts. Judge Dade and staff clarified the two measures are distinct: SB 62 restricts a substantive charge tied to failure-to-appear, while HB 25-1276 would provide post-warrant tools for courts.

Votes at a glance

- Support: Federal — SB 963 / HR 2042 (Space National Guard): outcome: approved to move forward; mover/second: not specified; vote: committee members who spoke recorded “I approve.”
- Support: HB 25-1290 (transit worker assault / RTD request): outcome: approved; mover/second: not specified; vote: committee members in favor spoken on record.
- Support: HB 25-1276 (court actions related to failure to appear / CML): outcome: approved; mover/second: not specified; vote: committee members in favor spoken on record.
- Oppose: SB 62 (failure to appear — municipal tool restrictions): outcome: committee stated opposition in discussion and recording; mover/second: not specified.

Discussion and context

Committee members and legal staff spent most time clarifying differences between SB 62 and HB 25-1276. Judge Dade and staff repeatedly noted the bills address different moments in the process — one restricts a substantive charge for failure-to-appear, the other would allow courts to require bond or security after a bench warrant and arrest to better ensure future appearance.

Council members pressed on practical outcomes, for example whether arresting someone on a bench warrant would require release on a PR bond within 48 hours under the SB 62 scenario. Judge Dade explained that under the framework discussed, an arrested defendant must be brought before a judge within 48 hours and could be released on PR bond absent additional statutory authority.

The committee did not take positions on all bills in the legislative update; staff said many measures remain parked in appropriations while the legislature resolves a projected budget shortfall.

Ending

Council members asked staff to continue tracking the bills through the remainder of the session and to share analyses if the measures change. The committee confirmed its record of votes and said staff will carry the adopted positions to the city’s legislative outreach.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Federal, State & Intergovernmental Relations Policy Committee - March 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Aurora — The Aurora City Council Federal & State Legislative Committee voted to back federal legislation to create a Space National Guard and took positions on several state bills, including support for a transit-worker assault measure and a court tool to address repeated failure-to-appear cases, while opposing Senate Bill 62.","taxTitle","Aurora City, Douglas County, Colorado","taxId",5767,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6627116,"Aurora committee opposes proposed state reclassification of ‘extreme indifference’ offenses",587,1774835,2362585,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730235-b9f1aada4e27d9420a2fd9c90e8d5d5d&start=1774&end=2362","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730235-b9f1aada4e27d9420a2fd9c90e8d5d5d/thumbnail_1774835.jpg","/articles/6627116/Aurora-City/Douglas-County/Colorado/Aurora-committee-opposes-proposed-state-reclassification-of-extreme-indifference-offenses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627116-0cfa3be5ed9b316091c19b71ccadacf3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187352&Signature=DwsVDBTtpXE1LhrhkktTcTEUrnwCoyotltTPvMhF86I8XoGOy9p6mVA7dhHaJEJYYU7d3XBzISpRlAN8nW3x7MaYRUoSlF8k9e86Jvv~-oV81nB7Xiyp6k2wiU79lPoJbDk3UsxO402AjHJyxpjPjc1hHhkIfQ9k0UeVhp3a56Fju6PPNI~W7ou~0JcRvRR87LaxkEmXyvQCYsDI5kg7l3mDYZ8T0REjz~C9whhiOggxxQNsMWdYhKQLpdBrSAEyEWgLbDYU~Ob2m5Ed4Dt04d1vsIHl-8p5XzbS~3BsbklSTaDS06dIzA~Nmn8g7NDc5ft9aULAw4NUWflC48WeSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aurora — The Aurora City Council Federal & State Legislative Committee voted to record formal opposition to a state bill staff described as reclassifying “extreme indifference” offenses that do not cause death, a measure committee members said could lower penalties for attempted first-degree murder in some circumstances.

Liz and council members summarized the draft bill during the meeting under the label “House Bill 25-1206” (staff materials and committee discussion used a range of shorthand references). Liz said staff is monitoring the bill and that there is “a significant amount of opposition” in the state; several council members said that because the proposal would repeal or reclassify existing offenses it warranted an oppose position and further law-enforcement review.

Council Member Lawson said the proposal appeared to reclassify attempted first-degree murder from a higher felony class to lower classes depending on injury, and urged police leadership and the city attorney to analyze operational impacts. Lawson said, “If it looks like this is going to grow legs, I would really like for us to be in a position to go down there with law enforcement.”

Deputy Chief Jewell said he would research how filings and outcomes could be affected and provide follow-up information to staff. City legal staff indicated they had reviewed the bill in part and were not, at the time, recommending immediate concern for municipal code, but several council members pressed for a fuller analysis and asked staff to keep the committee informed.

Vote and next steps

The committee conducted a roll call on this item and recorded an opposed position: Council Member Jurinski — oppose; Council Member Hancock — oppose; Council Member Lawson — oppose. Staff will send a more detailed analysis to the committee and coordinate with police and the city attorney if the bill advances.

Ending

Committee members asked staff and police leadership to prepare a more detailed memo describing filing and prosecution impacts, and to notify the committee if the bill is calendared or gains traction in the legislature.","The committee recorded an official opposition to a state bill described in staff materials as changing penalties for “attempted first-degree murder (extreme indifference not causing death),” citing bipartisan concern from district attorneys and requests from council members to monitor and prepare police and legal staff.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6627119,"Aurora committee backs federal tax parity for water rebates and PFAS liability protection for utilities",111,1577250,1688930,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730235-b9f1aada4e27d9420a2fd9c90e8d5d5d&start=1577&end=1688","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730235-b9f1aada4e27d9420a2fd9c90e8d5d5d/thumbnail_1577250.jpg","/articles/6627119/Aurora-City/Douglas-County/Colorado/Aurora-committee-backs-federal-tax-parity-for-water-rebates-and-PFAS-liability-protection-for-utilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627119-0aef79318adc67645f484f88b4abc19a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187352&Signature=JAi4w8ZDuP6tNdBfRAAAx9dDFdhD~CK2HEcuZm9Kwzy4fDkStu-cj1XCXLYaycKU1lJ3LFs8gOElcLCN6ARnFwUYFf9aiaL-DvBkFJSu02TECFfNdTc417vX358RW9QK-satwzvcYFiK0bOmW120zfJbwvIwQTx1Pw5HA1SAA7pFMfANd8nZPq7jAuUDCs7AeJvADGvPdEHHf000tisEmrdgYW9JUvIemaHdnNBtU2mOeMjFKHLRBzs3D26o0MuVw6Aq~NZ4lch1gX9qE81sjC7N75bjj21Xpkd4GlNvAwuVuePmrTSHydT7lzYzNrPkLnC0pZlGeiGiX3gAz1HqIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aurora — The Aurora City Council Federal & State Legislative Committee voted to support two federal measures aimed at reducing barriers to water conservation incentives and protecting water providers from certain liabilities tied to PFAS in treatment residuals.

Kathy, presenting the water briefing, asked the committee to support the Water Conservation Rebate Tax Parity Act (reintroduced in the 119th Congress as “Senate bill 857” and “House bill 1871” in staff remarks). Kathy told the committee the legislation would amend the Internal Revenue Code to expand tax exclusions to certain water-conservation rebates so that small payments (for example, replacements of toilets or turf removal rebates) would not be reportable as taxable income when aggregate payments exceed $600.

On PFAS, Kathy said a House bill (referred to in staff remarks as House Bill 1267) would propose to exempt water providers from liability under CERCLA (the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) for PFAS contained in water-treatment residuals when the utility is not the source of the contamination. The committee voted to support the staff-recommended positions on both items.

Kathy also alerted members that staff is monitoring proposed federal staffing and resource cuts that could affect wildfire response, post-fire restoration, and federal data infrastructure (stream gauges, snow telemetry and other forecasting data). She said there were no confirmed program-level details yet but that the city and national water associations were watching developments.

Why it matters: Supporters told the committee the tax parity bill would remove a tax barrier that can discourage utility customers from taking up conservation rebates; the PFAS liability protection bill would limit legal exposure for utilities that are not the source of PFAS contamination but that must manage contaminated treatment residuals.

Ending

Staff will notify legislative contacts and report back to the committee if either bill is amended or assigned a fiscal note that affects city programs.","The committee voted to support pending federal legislation to exclude small water-conservation rebates from taxable income and to seek liability protection for water utilities handling PFAS in treatment residuals; staff also flagged possible federal staffing cuts that could affect stream gauges and wildfire support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Aurora committee backs Space National Guard bill, adopts positions on state failure-to-appear and transit-safety measures

Aurora committee opposes proposed state reclassification of ‘extreme indifference’ offenses

Aurora committee backs federal tax parity for water rebates and PFAS liability protection for utilities