1974, March, Pg. 135. LEGISLATIVE ACTION REPORT.

• Author: by Gordon G. Gauss

3 Colo.Law. 135

Colorado Lawyer

1974.

1974, March, Pg. 135.

LEGISLATIVE ACTION REPORT

135Vol. 3, No. 5, Pg. 135LEGISLATIVE ACTION REPORTby Gordon G. Gauss, Legislative and Public Relations Counsel, Colorado Bar AssociationThree measures supported by the Colorado Bar Association won their initial tests during the early weeks of the 1974 state legislative session, but none achieved final passage during that period.

The measures were H.B. 1059, to add a second judge in the rapidly growing 14th Judicial District of northwest Colorado; H.B. 1060, to expand the Court of Appeals from six judges to 10 and to grant the tribunal jurisdiction over appeals from criminal convictions; and H.C.R. 1004, a constitutional amendment to eliminate part-time county judges and to merge Denver's juvenile and probate courts into the district court system.

The House Judiciary Committee, headed by Rep. Ronald H. Strahle, approved all three proposals after hearings which included input by CBA spokesmen.

The 14th district judgeship bill subsequently was approved by the House Appropriations Committee passed the House without even a separate roll call and was sent to the Senate. It was reported favorably by the Senate Judiciary Committee headed by Sen. Ralph Cole, then was sent to the Appropriations Committee where it remained in mid-February.

The bill to expand the Court of Appeals also was sent to the House Appropriations Committee

The constitutional amendment on courts went to the House Rules Committee which has been holding it while supporters sounded out sentiment. Rural lawmakers have expressed apprehension over elimination of resident county judges in less-populated areas, to be replaced by circuit-riding judges, and also have voiced concern over a provision allowing the legislature to alter judicial districts by simple majority vote.

CBA's Board of Governors approved all parts of the amendment except they took no position on incorporation of the Denver probate court into the district court.

The CBA has been watching measures at the general assembly other than those endorsed by the governors.

A provision in the campaign contributions and expenditures bill, S.B. 28, proposed by an interim committee would have set ceilings which might have precluded bar polls on judges and would...