HB26-1138: Your Support is Respectfully Requested

WHAT DOES THE BILL DO?

HB26-1138, Retail Theft Prevention Program, establishes a Retail Theft Prevention Advisory Board and a corresponding grant program to combat organized felony-level retail theft and gift card fraud. The advisory board will administer the grant program, collect and analyze statewide data on organized retail theft, and develop policy recommendations to combat these crimes. The grant program will provide funding for investigation and prosecution, technology and data-sharing systems, training, and coordinated prevention strategies.

WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE YES

Organized felony-level retail theft is increasingly coordinated, multi-jurisdictional, and technology-driven. Local governments, prosecutors, and businesses are often forced to respond without dedicated funding or statewide coordination. HB26-1138 addresses these gaps by:

• Strengthening coordination between state and local law enforcement, recognizing that organized retail theft operations frequently cross jurisdictional borders.
  
• Providing potential grant funding to support investigations, prosecutions, technology, and training — reducing the financial burden on local governments.
  
• Supporting data-driven policymaking by directing the advisory board to analyze statewide trends, losses, and outcomes, rather than anecdotes, to inform effective prevention strategies.

Rather than imposing unfunded mandates, HB26-1138 equips local governments and prosecutors with resources to address a growing economic and public safety threat. 

 

YOUR YES VOTE IS RESPECTFULLY REQUESTED

CML respectfully requests your YES vote on HB26-1138. The bill provides a coordinated, accountable way to combat organized felony-level retail theft that supports local law enforcement and protects Colorado businesses and communities.

CONTACT

Owen Brigner | CML legislative & policy advocate | 419-786-9703 | obrigner@cml.org