Summary#

House Resolution 26-1006, titled “Supporting Law Enforcement,” is a House resolution, not a bill that amends a statute or creates a new program. The supplied record lists it as enacted; its stated goal is to recognize Colorado law enforcement officers and encourage public engagement with them.

• The House expresses gratitude to law enforcement officers for their service and role in public safety and building public trust.
• The House encourages all Coloradans to engage with law enforcement to build trust and support officers.
• The resolution directs that copies be sent to the Governor and named law enforcement, local-government and county officials and organizations.
• The text does not require Coloradans to take part or require agencies to provide a service.

What it means for you#

• Colorado residents: The House encourages you to engage with law enforcement, but the resolution does not set out specific actions or make engagement mandatory.
• Law enforcement officers: The House formally recognizes and thanks officers. The resolution does not change their powers, duties, pay or working conditions.
• Government agencies and officials: The resolution directs that copies be sent to named recipients. It does not create a new office or require changes to agency operations.
• Everyone else: The resolution does not change taxes, benefits, rights, penalties or access to public services.

Money#

No cost information is in the available material.

• The resolution does not state an appropriation, spending amount, fee or fine.

What is unclear#

• The resolution does not define what “engage with law enforcement” means or set out any activities.
• It does not describe how the House’s encouragement would be carried out or measured.
• It does not say whether any additional work or cost is expected to send the copies.

Case for#

• The resolution appears intended to publicly recognize officers’ service and express appreciation.
• A possible argument for encouraging engagement is that it supports the resolution’s stated goal of building trust between residents and law enforcement.
• The resolution acknowledges challenges described in its background, including staffing shortages in some agencies and complex calls involving mental health crises and substance abuse.

Case against#

• The resolution does not provide a specific response to the challenges it describes; it expresses support and encourages engagement.
• It does not explain what engagement should involve or how the public could take part.
• A possible trade-off is that the broad message of support does not address differences among agencies or specific concerns about law enforcement.