What is the Mandatory Lethality Assessment Act?

HB26-1009 is championed by CO House Representative Monica Duran and Representative Ryan Gonzalez.

House Representative Monica Duran, one of the bills’ sponsors, shares her story about why she is so passionate about this bill, and how it will save lives.

“There was a time in my life when fear sat beside me at the kitchen table.

Not metaphorically. Literally. Fear drank coffee with me.

It listened while I pretended everything was fine.

I learned to recognize footsteps before a door opened. I learned that silence could feel safer than honesty.

Many of you know my story. I am a survivor of domestic violence and a once homeless single mom. I know what it means to measure time by survival. That is why HB26-1009 matters.

Rooted in the 2025 Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board report, this bill gives law enforcement the tools to identify lethal risk factors early, intervene sooner, and prevent tragedy before it happens. I am deeply grateful to my co-prime sponsor, Representative Gonzalez for sharing his personal story, and standing shoulder to shoulder with me on this work.

This is what partnership looks like. This is common sense. This is prevention. This is leadership.”

At Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence (SPAN), we believe safety and support should always be within reach.

Pictured L-R: Heather Marcy, Rep Monica Duran, Boulder Chamber’s Jonathan Singer

SPAN Executive Director Heather Marcy worked alongside community partners to advocate for the advancement of this legislation because it’s important for the people we serve.

She explains its significance:

“I worked in the victim services field for 20 years and currently serve as the Executive Director of Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence (SPAN) in Boulder County.

SPAN has served victims and survivors across the state for decades, providing shelter and advocacy for children, parents, and their pets who are fleeing interpersonal violence.

I have seen the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) work in Boulder County. Boulder County has achieved 100% participation in the LAP, and we have had no domestic violence fatalities in 2025.

HB26-1009, the Colorado Mandatory Lethality Assessment Act, gives law enforcement a critical tool to identify high risk situations, connect survivors to resources, and help prevent violence before it turns deadly. LAP is an evidence-based tool that helps slow down time and space after a domestic violence incident.

There are times in abusive relationships that are more dangerous than others. Two of those times are when law enforcement becomes involved and when a survivor is leaving the relationship. By having law enforcement screen for lethality using a validated assessment tool and immediately connecting high-risk individuals with trained advocates during those critical moments, we can change outcomes for victims and survivors.

How does the Lethality Assessment Program work?

Officers responding on scene will ask the victim if they consent to completing the screening; if so, they will answer 11 questions to determine if they are at high risk. When someone is identified as high risk, officers will tell them, and this is an important part of the intervention. When victims hear an officer say that their life is in danger, that lands differently than a family, friend, or advocate saying that.

The officer will then ask if the person would like to talk to a community-based advocate for safety planning, resources, and shelter. If they are open to that, the officer calls SPAN and gives the victim the phone — right there — on the scene.

Another big driver for efficacy is that our local District Attorneys have been proponents of this and have become the bridge of connection for law enforcement and non-profit partners. And together we have built an ecosystem of intervention and support that is delivered in the moment. And this is one of the ways that we are helping to create better outcomes for victims/survivors.

This bill ensures that every county in the state is providing this screening.