Supporters of the bipartisan Senate Bill 136 seemed dismayed that law enforcement would so passionately oppose a bill that only aimed at accountability.

The Senate Judiciary Committee rejected the measure on a party-line vote, with Republicans opposing the effort, despite the bipartisan sponsorship.

The crux of the bill would have required agencies to disclose information on each criminal property forfeiture and how the agency used the proceeds.

“Forfeiture is a legitimate government function. No one convicted of a crime has a right to its proceeds,” said Sen. Tim Neville, R-Littleton, a sponsor of the bill. “Despite being legitimate, legislators have a responsibility to establish safeguards against possible abuse and monitor its use.

“It is our responsibility to ensure fairness and justice.”

A concern that is driving the process is that agencies – including prosecutors and police – have been outsourcing forfeiture legal work to the federal government, which does not have the same stringent standards as Colorado.

Colorado law enforcement agencies use forfeiture proceeds to supplement local budgets.

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