House Approves Bipartisan Bill to Address CBI Employee Misconduct

DENVER, CO - The House today passed bipartisan legislation that would establish clear procedures for reporting misconduct in Colorado crime laboratories. HB25-1275, sponsored by Representative Yara Zokaie, passed unanimously by a vote of 65-0.

“The CBI scandal has had devastating consequences for survivors of sexual violence, and it is crucial that we do everything we can to prevent this situation from ever happening again,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins. “This bipartisan solution will inform defendants if evidence in their case was implicated in the scandal, and gives them the opportunity to fight for the truth through post-conviction relief. With this bill passing today, we’re one step closer to a criminal justice system that is transparent and just.”

HB25-1275, also sponsored by Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, would establish a clear process within the CBI and the court system to address intentional and wrongful misconduct by crime laboratory workers. The bill would require crime laboratory employees who witness or discover misconduct or a wrongful action to notify their supervisor or the crime laboratory director within 14 days. It would also require both defendants and victims to be notified if there was lab misconduct in their case. Under the bill, defendants would have the right to return to court to challenge their conviction if the CBI misconduct interfered with substantial evidence in obtaining their conviction. 

Lastly, this bill mandates all crime laboratory directors to review all records to identify wrongful actions committed by current or former employees before July 1, 2025.

Earlier this year, a former Colorado Bureau of Investigation forensic scientist was charged with manipulating and mishandling data in the DNA testing process of more than 800 criminal cases dating back as far back as 2014. This has contributed to the 558-day wait to receive results for a sexual assault kit. HB25-1275 is a direct response to misconduct by CBI crime laboratory workers and will help uphold the integrity of Colorado’s forensic system.