House passes whistleblower protections for law‑enforcement employees after testimony from officers

The Colorado House on March 31 approved House Bill 10‑31, a measure aimed at protecting law‑enforcement employees who report misconduct. Sponsors and several current and former officers told lawmakers that retaliation within agencies had cost careers and harmed public trust.

Assistant Majority Leader Bacon, a co‑sponsor, said the bill responds to testimony from line officers who reported retaliation and alleged a “thin blue wall” protecting misconduct. Multiple officers submitted written statements for the record and for floor reading. In a statement read to the House, officer Mackenzie Riese described alleged officer‑on‑officer sexual assault and lengthy delays in accountability: “The weight of the badge was the weight that it had over me. I wanted so desperately to protect and serve at any cost, but instead, ultimate sentence of no protection,” Riese's victim impact statement said.

Other speakers included officers who said they organized a grass‑roots group to press for transparency and protections. Representative Clifford, a co‑sponsor, said the measure arose from broad stakeholder work that included law enforcement leaders, district attorneys and whistleblowers.

Supporters argued the bill establishes clear remedies, preserves careers for those who report wrongdoing, and will save officers' lives by reducing retaliation. Opponents did not prevail on the floor; the House adopted the bill on a recorded vote of 63 yes, 0 no and 2 excused.

Ending: With the House vote, HB10‑31 advances to the Senate; sponsors said they will continue stakeholder work on caps and municipal parity.