Colorado Legislature Passes Death Penalty Repeal Bill

Colorado is poised to become the 22nd state to repeal the death penalty. The Colorado House of Representatives voted 38-27 in a bipartisan effort to repeal the death penalty. Several attempts were made in the House to add an amendment to let the people vote on the measure, but they ultimately failed. The Senate voted last month to repeal the death penalty and forwarded the measure to the House. The bill now goes to Democratic Governor Jared Polis who has said he will sign the legislation.

Colorado has executed only one person since the death penalty was reinstated in 1977. The measure does not apply to the three people currently on death row. If the Governor signs the measure, Colorado will be the 6th state to repeal the death penalty since 2009.