Committee unanimously advances bill extending Colorado cold‑case task force

Representative Clifford, sponsor of House Bill 11‑85, said the measure extends the cold‑case task force and its sunset in line with DORA recommendations and would add a requirement that executive director appointees have relevant experience in emergent technologies. "We are aligned with those recommendations," Clifford said in opening remarks.

Audrey Simpkins, an investigative analyst with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, testified the task force has tracked a cold case database since 2007 and that technology advances—especially genetic genealogy and CODIS matches—have allowed agencies to solve previously intractable cases. "Things are changing fast right now for us," Simpkins said, arguing that the task force's flexibility to add members for technical expertise is valuable.

Monica Snowbird of the MMIR task force and other witnesses urged extension of the task force, noting the continuity it provides families of unsolved homicides and missing persons. Committee members asked for clarifications about sunset length and whether reducing sunset years had been considered; sponsors answered that the task force has been effective and their preferred alignment followed prior recommendations.

During amendments, Representative Clifford moved L1 to require that persons appointed by the executive director have specific knowledge and experience relevant to their appointments. The committee adopted L1 without objection and then voted to advance the bill as amended. The clerk recorded an 11 to 0 vote to send the bill to the committee of the whole with a favorable recommendation.

What happens next: House Bill 11‑85 as amended was reported to the committee of the whole for further consideration.