SB 25-211

Senate Bill 25-211, which has been signed into law, requires the Department of Corrections in Colorado to provide monthly reports on inmate numbers, available beds, and vacancy rates. Additionally, it mandates that the department report any changes in facilities or significant inmate relocations to specific committees and must also submit detailed staffing information annually starting from August 2025. The bill ensures future budget requests include precise cost breakdowns for staff and operations, and it allows the joint budget committee to cut salaries of certain employees if these reporting requirements are not met. This law aims to improve transparency and accountability in how the Department of Corrections manages its resources and budgets.

Official Summary

The act requires the executive director (director) of the department of corrections (department) to report specified information on inmate population, bed capacity, and vacancy rates on a monthly basis. The act also requires the director to report to the joint budget committee and the office of state planning and budgeting: When opening or closing a facility or relocating more than 20 inmates; and By August 1, 2025, and by each August 1 thereafter, information on FTEs by facility, location, and subprogram. The act requires future budget requests to include worksheets identifying calculations for FTE and operating expenses and requires the department to include a report describing supplemental budget requests and budget amendments as part of its "SMART Act" presentation. If the director or department fails to provide the information required, the act authorizes the joint budget committee to reduce appropriations for salaries of unclassified department employees. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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