Colorado § 24-33.5-109 - Cold case task force - creation - rules - repeal.

§ 24-33.5-109. Cold case task force - creation - rules - repeal.

(1) (a) There is hereby created in the department of public safety the cold case task force, referred to in this section as the "task force", to review general cold case homicide investigation tactics and practices.

(b) The task force is a type 2 entity, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercises its powers and perform its duties and functions under the department of public safety.

(2) The task force consists of the following members:

(a) The executive director of the department of public safety, or his or her designee, who shall chair the task force;

(b) The attorney general, or his or her designee;

(c) Three district attorneys, or their designees, who shall be appointed by the executive director of the Colorado district attorneys council, one of whom shall be from an urban judicial district, one of whom shall be from a suburban judicial district, and one of whom shall be from a rural judicial district;

(d) Two members who represent a statewide victims advocacy organization and who shall be appointed by the governor;

(e) One sheriff and one police chief who shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(f) One sheriff and one police chief who shall be appointed by the president of the senate;

(g) Two representatives from victims' families who shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(h) Two representatives from victims' families who are appointed by the president of the senate;

(i) A forensic pathologist who is appointed by the governor; and

(j) Any other individual who is appointed by the executive director and has specific knowledge and experience in relevant emerging technologies.

(3) (a) The members of the task force appointed pursuant to subsections (2)(c) to (2)(j) of this section serve terms of three years; except that the terms shall be staggered so that no more than a minimum majority of the appointed members' terms expire in the same year.

(b) An appointed member shall not serve more than two consecutive full terms, in addition to any partial term. In the event of a vacancy in an appointed position by death, resignation, removal for misconduct, incompetence, or neglect of duty, or otherwise, the appointing authority shall appoint a member within sixty days to fill the position for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(4) The members of the task force shall serve without compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to this section.

(5) The task force shall meet at least four times a year.

(6) The task force shall review cold case homicide investigation strategies and practices and make recommendations on best practices.

(7) Members of the task force, employees, and consultants shall be immune from suit in any civil action based upon any official act performed in good faith pursuant to this section.

(8) On or before October 1 each year, the task force shall report to the judiciary committees of the senate and the house of representatives, or any successor committees, on the implementation of this section.

(9) (a) This section is repealed, effective September 1, 2039.

(b) Before its repeal, the department of regulatory agencies shall review the task force in accordance with section 2-3-1203.

Source: L. 2007: Entire section added, p. 1895, § 2, effective June 1. L. 2012: IP(2), (2)(g), (2)(h), (3), and (9)(a) amended and (2)(i) added, (HB 12-1206), ch. 90, p. 293, § 1, effective April 12. L. 2019: (9) amended, (SB 19-163), ch. 213, p. 2221, § 1, effective August 2. L. 2022: (3), (5), and (8) amended, (SB 22-013), ch. 2, p. 49, § 61, effective February 25; (1)(b) amended, (SB 22-162), ch. 469, p. 3427, § 210, effective August 10. L. 2026: IP(2), (2)(h), (2)(i), (3)(a), and (9) amended and (2)(j) added, (HB 26-1185), ch. 46, p. 209, § 1, effective August 12.

Cross references: For the short title (the "Debbie Haskins 'Administrative Organization Act of 1968' Modernization Act") in SB 22-162, see section 1 of chapter 469, Session Laws of Colorado 2022.