By Colette Bordelon | Denver7
Senate Bill 26-072 passed unanimously out of its first committee hearing, but only after a sweeping amendment removed a portion that would have made vehicular homicide or assault a crime of violence.
DENVER — Over the years, Denver7 has listened to countless families who have lost loved ones on Colorado roads and believe the penalties for vehicular homicide and other related charges are too lenient.
On Monday, state lawmakers voted unanimously to advance a bill that would give district attorneys the option to charge negligent drivers who kill someone with a Class 5 felony — a step above the misdemeanor charge of careless driving resulting in death, and a step below vehicular homicide.
Supporters argued Senate Bill 26-072 will fill a gap in Colorado law, where district attorneys must choose between a Class 1 misdemeanor or Class 4 felony in certain cases. The bipartisan bill also removes language from state statute that automatically classifies a crime where a driver hits and kills another person, while at the same time using a cell phone, as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
According to the bill language, such an offense committed while a driver is using their cell phone would be considered criminally negligent homicide, meaning it could be punished as a Class 5 felony.
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