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October 16, 2024

Majority Leader Duran Delivers Keynote Presentation for Annual Domestic Violence Conference

KEYSTONE, CO – Majority Leader Monica Duran today delivered the keynote presentation at the 36th Annual Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance (COVA) Conference. Majority Leader Duran’s presentation, “My Journey to Hell and Back”, highlighted parts of her personal, professional and political life. 


“I’d like to thank COVA for inviting me to deliver the keynote presentation at their annual conference – it’s truly an honor,” said Majority Leader Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Domestic abuse is difficult to talk about, let alone escape with a young son, and I wouldn’t be here today without the fearless advocates and resources that helped me get back on my feet. I’m beyond proud of our recent legislative efforts to support survivors and curb gun violence in Colorado. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which serves as both a reminder for how far we’ve come and how much further we must go to create a safer state for us all.” 


Majority Leader Duran has been a longtime advocate for survivors of domestic violence and violent crime.  During the 2024 legislative session, Majority Leader Duran sponsored a law to strengthen protection orders for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual violence. She also sponsored important gun safety legislation, including laws to improve conceal carry permitting and expand extreme risk protection orders


In recent years, she passed laws that improved standards for domestic violence cases tried in municipalities, invested $48 million with a funding boost of $3 million toward survivor programs and strengthened requirements for certain domestic violence abusers to relinquish their firearms.


In addition to passing vital survivor-forward laws, Majority Leader Duran has also been awarded the 2023 Domestic Abuse Survivor Heroes (DASH) Award from non-profit Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abuse, 2023 Violence Free Aquamarine Award and the 2024/2023 Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA) Legislator of the Year Award. 


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