HB 23-1206

HB 23-1206, a Colorado bill that has been signed into law, requires county sheriffs in populous counties (with at least 25,000 residents) to have a bachelor's degree or higher in criminal justice or a related field. The bill also changes how candidates for sheriff and district attorney are nominated, removing them from the primary process and prohibiting employees of these offices from engaging in certain political activities while on duty. This includes not displaying political paraphernalia, soliciting money for campaigns, making endorsements, or using their position to influence others' views. Violators can face fines up to $1,000 and may be dismissed from their positions.

Official Summary

The bill requires a county sheriff in a county with a population of 25,000 or more to possess a bachelor's degree or higher in criminal justice or a related field. The bill requires candidates for the offices of county sheriff and district attorney to petition onto the ballot and prevents those candidates from being nominated as a candidate for a primary process election. Relatedly, the bill also prevents a ballot from listing the political affiliation of candidates for the offices of county sheriff and district attorney and excludes county sheriffs and district attorneys from party committees. Lastly, the The bill prohibits county sheriff's office employees from: participating in specified political activities. Soliciting money on behalf of a political campaign; Using their official position to make a public endorsement of a candidate for elected office, to reflect their personal political feelings as those of the county sheriff's department, or to exert pressure on anyone to influence that person's political views; Display political advertising or paraphernalia on the employee's body or automobile while on duty or in uniform; and Display political advertising on county land, buildings, or equipment. The bill includes a penalty for violating these provisions of up to one thousand dollars and potentially dismissal from the service of the county sheriff's office. (Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.) (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Votes