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Senate panel advances retail‑theft prevention program to aid local law enforcement
Summary
The committee voted 5‑1 to advance HB26‑11‑38, which would use existing resources to create a grant program and advisory board to help law enforcement and prosecutors investigate and prosecute organized retail theft and gift‑card fraud; supporters cited large losses and a hard sunset in 2029.
A sponsor presented House Bill 26‑11‑38 on May 11 as a targeted response to organized, large‑scale retail theft. The sponsor said Colorado lost more than $1,000,000,000 in retail goods and roughly $78,000,000 in sales tax revenue in the past year.
The bill would create an advisory board and a grant program (administered by the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Public Safety) to fund local law enforcement, district attorneys, multi‑jurisdiction task forces and tribal law enforcement for investigations, prosecutions, data sharing, technology, analytics, training and prevention strategies. The sponsor emphasized there is no new tax or general fund request and that the program contains a hard sunset of Nov. 1, 2029.
Supporters: Katie Wolfe of the Colorado Retail Council said the bill strengthens coordination with law enforcement and targeted resources to disrupt organized criminal networks; she cited a 22% increase in reported retail theft from 2023 to 2024 (noting underreporting) and urged an aye vote. Matthew Lunn, director of the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice, said the bill builds on ongoing work with the Governor’s Office and complements an AGO task force. Owen Brigner of the Colorado Municipal League gave examples of local organized theft operations and said municipalities face both financial and public safety impacts.
"Small businesses and nonprofit retailers will have a permanent seat at the table," the sponsor said, describing grant governance and local input into awards.
Outcome: Senator Wallace moved HB26‑11‑38 to the Committee of the Whole; the committee recorded a vote that advanced the bill by 5‑1. The Judiciary Committee then adjourned.
Next steps: HB26‑11‑38 will go to the Committee of the Whole; the bill’s supporters noted the hard sunset will force legislative review by Nov. 1, 2029.
