House Joint Resolution 25-1025

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 25-1025

BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Duran and Pugliese, Armagost, Bacon, Barron, Bird, Boesenecker, Bradfield, Bradley, Brown, Caldwell, Camacho, Carter, English, Espenoza, Feret, Froelich, Garcia, Garcia Sander, Gilchrist, Gonzalez R., Hamrick, Hartsook, Jackson, Johnson, Joseph, Keltie, Lieder, Lindsay, Lindstedt, Lukens, Mabrey, Marshall, Martinez, McCormick, Paschal, Phillips, Richardson, Ricks, Rutinel, Rydin, Sirota, Smith, Stewart K., Stewart R., Suckla, Taggart, Titone, Velasco, Winter T., Woodrow, Woog, McCluskie;

also SENATOR(S) Frizell and Roberts, Amabile, Baisley, Ball, Bridges, Bright, Carson, Catlin, Cutter, Danielson, Exum, Gonzales J., Jodeh, Kipp, Kirkmeyer, Kolker, Liston, Lundeen, Marchman, Michaelson Jenet, Mullica, Pelton B., Pelton R., Rich, Rodriguez, Simpson, Snyder, Sullivan, Wallace, Weissman, Winter F., Coleman.

CONCERNING THE RECOGNITION OF THE WEEK OF APRIL 6-12, 2025, AS NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK.

WHEREAS, Crime and the threat of violence affect individuals, families, and communities in profound and varied ways, often leaving lasting physical, emotional, financial, and social challenges; and

WHEREAS, According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics' "Criminal Victimization, 2023" report, U.S. residents aged 12 and older experienced approximately 6.4 million violent victimizations and households experienced approximately 13.6 million property victimizations in 2023; and

WHEREAS, Colorado's Victims' Rights Amendment ensures crime victims are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect and have the right to be kept informed of and involved in the criminal justice process; and

WHEREAS, America's crime victims' rights advocates have had a powerful impact on educating the nation about the devastating effects of crime and victimization and the need to provide support and services to individuals and communities hurt by crime; and

WHEREAS, With the unwavering support of their communities, and victim service providers behind them, survivors are empowered to face their grief, loss, fear, anger, and hope without fear of judgment and feel understood, heard, and respected; and

WHEREAS, This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the enactment of the Victims' Rights Amendment in the Colorado Constitution, which passed on November 3, 1992, with the approval of 82% of Colorado voters; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Seventy-fifth General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the Senate concurring herein:

(1)  That we, the Colorado General Assembly, recognize the week of April 6-12, 2025, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week in Colorado, and, during this week and throughout the year, we honor crime victims and those who serve them; and

(2)  That we encourage the citizens of Colorado, as individuals, communities, and part of the nation, to seek justice and have compassion for crime victims.

Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this Joint Resolution be sent to Governor Jared Polis, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, and Stan Hilkey, executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Safety.