SB 17-096

Senate Bill 17-096, titled "Reserve Peace Officer Academy Grant Program," establishes a grant program funded by $800,000 from marijuana tax money to support the creation of reserve peace officer academies across Colorado. These academies will train and certify auxiliary police officers who can assist regular law enforcement during emergencies or when extra help is needed. The Department of Public Safety will manage this program and distribute grants based on factors like financial readiness, statewide service capacity, and ability to aid in times of crisis. Since the bill has been signed into law, it means that funding for these academies is now available and being administered by the state.

Official Summary

The bill creates the reserve academy grant program to provide a one-time grant to a political subdivision of the state that is comprised of multiple participating jurisdictions and that is formed for the purpose of funding a reserve peace officer academy that will train and certify a shared reserve peace officer auxiliary group. The division of homeland security and emergency management (division) will administer the grant program. The division may accept gifts, grants, and donations to use towards the grant program. The division shall consider the following criteria in awarding the grant: Existing access to start-up capital; The capacity to serve communities statewide; and The ability to assist law enforcement agencies in times of need. The bill appropriates $814,834 to the department of public safety from the marijuana tax cash fund to implement the bill. $800,000 is for the grant award and $14,834 is for personal services to administer the grant program. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

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