While the Colorado Legislature now adjourned, during the summer I am chairing an Interim Committee of Sentencing Reform. Our focus will be on mandatory minimum and enhanced prison sentences as well as how to address our state's prison system which is at capacity. We heard from a dozen witnesses this week explaining who is in prison and providing analyses of the parole, probation, community corrections. The public is invited to attend and participate. Stay tuned.

Inspiration & celebration at Dept. of Corrections- Along with Lieut. Governor Donna Lynne, we honored over 30 graduates of the "7 Habits on the Inside" program at Fremont today. Program Founder, and former DOC Director of Prisons Jerry Gasko, was recognized by the Colorado House of Representatives for 40 years service to his country and state.. I honored the graduates for their commitment to change and they spoke about the impact 7 Habits has on their lives.

Aspiring Entrepreneurs demo plans at CC-Students from the Quad Innovation Partnership presented their plans this morning to resolve food deserts, hunger, homelessness and energy issues. Students from Pikes Peak CC, Air Force Academy, Colorado College and UCCS collaborate in a unique collaborative under local innovation expert Jake Eichengreen's leadership. I was invited to meet with the class last Friday to discuss my experiences promoting change through legislation. Listening to the Quad teams describe their business plans inspires optimism that our challenges are not intractable.

Game Changer for SE Colorado Springs Community- An overflow crowd of more than 75 people met at Silver Key on S. Murray to hear about implementing HB17-1326, my bipartisan bill for Justice Reinvestment Crime Prevention Initiatives. Savings in Parole will be used for citizen directed community development programs to reduce crime. $2 million will be available to public and private groups for community based services to enhance employment and education opportunities, strengthen families, improve health, and promote community engagement. The Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition and DOLA will be cooperating on details.

Restorative Justice Revival in Pueblo- A committed gathering of education leaders met at Pueblo's CSU campus to discuss implementing restorative justice as an intervention for marijuana cases in schools. An initiative of the Institute for Cannabis Research, Colo. State University-Pueblo and local Restorative Justice advocates Ron Wiley, Jenny Piazza, Pam Richmond and Margie Massey convened the community meeting which included attendees from the Pueblo PD, Sheriff and local schools. It is an honor to work with such a dedicated team.

Restorative Justice on the Rise- Lynn and I just spent four days in Oakland, CA with1300+ practitioners and advocates gathered for the 6th annual National Restorative Justice (NACRJ) Conference. With double the attendance from the Fort Lauderdale event two years ago, the momentum of the movement is growing. The call to end the school to prison pipeline and to promote accountability, healing and reconciliation in the criminal justice system are driving the growth. In 2019 the conference will be In Denver!