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Candidates wouldn’t be allowed to run for a Colorado school board if they have a recent conviction for certain violent crimes or felony drug offenses under a proposed state law.
State Sen. Adrienne Benavidez, an Adams County Democrat, said a constituent in her district brought the idea to her. Current law only prohibits a person who has been convicted of a sexual offense against a child from running for school board. Benavidez said the law should be more restrictive.
Benavidez said during a Senate Education Committee hearing on Wednesday that school board members are responsible for the education, health, safety, and welfare of children. But their job is to also protect children and set good examples for them, she said.
The disqualifying convictions listed by Senate Bill 166 include murder, kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and harm against an at-risk adult or juvenile. The bill also says convictions for felony drug offenses such as selling, manufacturing, or dispensing a controlled substance would also bar an individual from running. The bill does say these exclusions would only apply if a person was convicted as an adult.
The bill originally included a lifelong prohibition from running for office for those offenses, but Benavidez and other sponsors amended the bill to allow candidates to run 10 years after they’ve completed their sentence.
“That is basically a recognition that people, even though they did something at some point, if they’ve made amends through this process, they still should be able to participate civically in our communities,” Benavidez said.
The bill passed the committee with a 4-3 party-line vote. Assistant Minority Leader Sen. Lisa Frizell, a Castle Rock Republican, said she would have voted yes on the bill until lawmakers adopted the amendment from Benavidez and others.
Other bill sponsors include Democrats Sen. Cathy Kipp of Fort Collins and Rep. Lori Goldstein of Westminster. The bill now will be heard by the full Senate and, if passed, will head to the House for consideration.
Jason Gonzales is a reporter covering higher education and the Colorado legislature. Chalkbeat Colorado partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage. Contact Jason at jgonzales@chalkbeat.org.
