House approves bill creating jury‑selection working group to study voir dire and bias

The House passed House Bill 12 88 on April 14, creating a jury‑selection working group within the Judicial Department to study best practices for voir dire, juror questionnaires and approaches to reduce bias.

Representative Joseph, sponsor of the judiciary committee report, described the bill as a strike‑below that removed an earlier, broader statutory change and instead establishes a working group of prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, jury commissioners and legal experts. Joseph told members the group will produce a public report and that the Colorado Supreme Court must respond to any proposed rule changes.

Representative Carter, speaking in support, said the bill promotes uniformity across rural and urban jurisdictions and will ground recommendations in data and experience. Sponsors framed the measure as a cautious, deliberative approach rather than a rushed statutory overhaul. The floor voted to pass the bill; the committee report and floor passage were recorded on the minutes and the bill moved forward for subsequent readings.

The bill does not immediately change jury‑selection statute; rather, it directs a stakeholder working group to study issues such as the length of voir dire, the use of questionnaires, rehabilitating jurors and the development of model materials for courts. Supporters argued the approach balances expertise and accountability. No fiscal or implementation schedule details were finalized on the floor.