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Committee adopts definition of "mass shooting," directs agency to apply for federal grants for victims support
Summary
Senate Bill 59, sponsored by Representative Woodrow, passed the committee after witnesses urged setting a consistent definition and preparing to apply for federal and private grants to aid victims and research.
The House State, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee advanced Senate Bill 59 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation, adopting a working definition of "mass shooting" and directing the Division of Criminal Justice to pursue federal and other grants to support victims and response efforts.
Representative Leslie Woodrow, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure "does 2 things. It defines a mass shooting as four or more people who are injured or killed by an individual with a firearm, not including the shooter," and requires the Division of Criminal Justice within the Department of Public Safety to apply for federal funding and other grants to aid state response and victim services. Woodrow said varied definitions among databases and agencies make it difficult to track and plan responses and that aligning terminology would help the state communicate with local jurisdictions and federal partners.
Why it matters: supporters and victims’ advocates said clearly defined terminology and a designated state entity focused on grant-seeking will make funding available more quickly to support victims, pay for counseling and coordinate response. Robert Mauser, whose son died at Columbine, urged the committee to prepare in advance so grants can be accepted and administered following a tragedy. "If anyone asks how they can help, we should be prepared in advance to seek and accept help for victims," he said.
Testimony: supporters included victims' families, the Colorado Faith Community United to End Gun Violence and survivors who urged planning and funding for counseling and victim services. Some witnesses urged the state also target prevention funding and community programs rather than relying solely on federal grants. Kellen Lanier, testifying in a neutral/amend position, suggested prioritizing prevention and using local funding sources such as Proposition KK for proactive programs.
Committee action and outcome: the committee considered the bill, heard pro and con testimony and voted 8–3 to advance SB 59 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. Committee members who voted no said the bill was not the right approach or raised questions about federal grant strings; supporters said preparing applications would not obligate the state to accept funds but would allow Colorado to compete for assistance if and when it becomes available.
Limits and next steps: the bill does not by itself appropriate money or obligate the state to accept funds; it directs the Division of Criminal Justice to apply for and accept grants if available. Sponsors said this step is intended to ensure that if funds are offered after an incident, the state has an administrating office ready to act. The committee sent the bill forward to the Committee of the Whole for further consideration.
Ending: SB 59 moves forward to the Committee of the Whole on an 8–3 recorded committee vote; if it passes subsequent stages it would create a statutory definition used for state reporting and require the Division of Criminal Justice to seek grants and other funds for mass‑shooting response and victim services.
