Bill > SB067

This bill modifies the Prosecution Fellowship Program in Colorado by redefining and expanding its scope. The bill creates a definition for "Rural District Attorney's Office" as those located in specific judicial districts, and changes the fellowship program from directly funding individual law school graduates to providing funding to rural district attorneys' offices to recruit, hire, and retain new deputy district attorneys. The prosecution fellowship committee, now reduced from seven to five members, will select recipient offices and determine appropriate funding amounts. The program is no longer limited to graduates of specific law schools (University of Colorado and University of Denver), and the committee will have more flexibility in awarding and reallocating funds. Recipients must return any unexpended funds to the Colorado District Attorneys' Council, which will provide an annual report on the program's outcomes, including details about fellowship awards, funding amounts, and the employment status of fellows. The changes aim to support staffing and retention in rural prosecutorial offices by providing financial resources to help attract and keep new attorneys. The bill is set to take effect after the standard legislative review period, with potential voter approval required if a referendum petition is filed.