A new Colorado law, drafted by KWIP attorneys, modernizes Colorado's post-conviction DNA testing statute, making it easier for the wrongfully convicted to get the DNA testing they need to prove their innocence.
Colorado's old statute imposed too high a bar to obtain DNA testing and has kept innocent people behind bars. By improving the statute, KWIP hopes to create more avenues for relief in order to bring our innocent clients home.
The bill won bipartisan support in both the Colorado House of Representatives and the Colorado Senate. Indeed, it was approved unanimously in both chambers and was signed into law by Governor Polis on March 10, 2023.
This legislative success was the result of a lot of hard work. KWIP engaged with stakeholders throughout the process and received the support of the Colorado District Attorneys Council and the Attorney General’s Office.
At hearings before the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, KWIP made sure to prioritize the voices of directly-impacted people. Robert “Rider” Dewey, one of just three people exonerated by DNA testing in Colorado, explained to legislators that he initially petitioned for testing under the 2003 statute and was denied. Mr. Dewey’s story epitomized the need for our proposed changes to the statute, and he brought to life the human toll of wrongful convictions. Ray Krone also testified about how DNA testing saved his life after he was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death in Arizona.
Anne-Marie Moyes, Executive Director at KWIP, Jeanne Segil, Policy Director at KWIP, and Jemil Kassahun, KWIP student volunteer and 2L at Colorado Law, also testified before the Judiciary Committee. A number of legislators approached us afterwards and thanked us for our impactful presentation.
All of us at KWIP are excited to change the legal landscape and reduce barriers for our clients to access DNA testing. In addition, we have developed lasting partnerships and built trust with important stakeholders. We know that this is just the beginning for KWIP’s policy efforts.