Deoxyribonucleic Acid & Sexual Assault Kit Backlog Testing & Data
Summary
SB25-170 addresses Colorado’s backlog in DNA and sexual assault kit testing by extending the availability of a $3 million appropriation to the Department of Public Safety through June 30, 2026. The bill authorizes the Bureau of Investigation to contract with outside laboratories or agencies that meet specified accreditation and quality standards to help perform DNA retesting in criminal cases tied to laboratory misconduct discovered in 2023, as well as testing of evidence in the broader forensic medical evidence backlog, including sexual assault kits.
The bill also requires the Department of Public Safety to report regularly on progress. It must provide a progress report to the Joint Budget Committee by April 15, 2025, create a public dashboard within 90 days of the act’s effective date, and send email updates every 30 days from March 10, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Those updates must include backlog counts, turnaround times, testing completed by internal and external labs, staffing levels, and any contracting problems affecting capacity or timelines. The bill defines “forensic medical evidence” broadly to include DNA.
Impact
The bill does not create a new criminal offense or change evidentiary standards; instead, it modifies state spending authority and administrative reporting requirements related to forensic testing. It keeps the existing $3 million appropriation available longer, expands the Bureau’s ability to use external accredited laboratories, and imposes transparency obligations on the Department of Public Safety. The practical effect is to accelerate processing of sexual assault kits and other forensic medical evidence, while increasing legislative and public oversight of backlog reduction efforts.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial in the legislative process. It passed the Senate Appropriations Committee 6-0, the Senate 33-0, House Appropriations 11-0, and the House 60-0, indicating strong bipartisan agreement. The overall sentiment reflected in the votes is that addressing the backlog is a public safety and accountability priority.
Contention
No major opposition is reflected in the available votes or transcripts. The main policy issues embedded in the bill are operational rather than ideological: whether the Bureau can secure enough qualified outside labs, whether internal staffing is sufficient, and whether the projected turnaround timelines can be met. The reporting requirements suggest legislative concern about transparency, performance, and the effects of the 2023 laboratory misconduct on case processing.