Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed the Miranda Gordon Justice For Survivors Act of 2025 into law, in a decisive move to tackle the state's backlog of DNA tests linked to sexual assault cases. The legislation is set to streamline the way sexual assault investigations are handled by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), aiming to significantly shorten the waiting time for DNA test results, which currently extends beyond 550 days.
Representative Jenny Willford was clear about the critical nature of the situation, asserting, "There are over 1,300 survivors waiting for their results, and each number is a real person who is seeking the answers they need to pursue accountability and justice. Survivors deserve better, and this law shows them that Colorado stands with them in their fight," according to Colorado Senate Democrats. With the law's passage, the focus has shifted away from bureaucratic delays and towards the survivors' quest for justice.
The new law outlines several mandates, including law enforcement agencies being required to notify victims of their DNA test status every 90 days, as well as tasking crime labs with analyzing test kits and uploading the information within 60 days when feasible. The CBI is also directed to maintain a public dashboard that updates the backlog status every 30 days. Expanding upon existing rules, the CBI must now send this dashboard data and updates concerning lab contracting issues affecting testing capacity or timeline projections to every member of the General Assembly at similar intervals.
One significant aspect of SB25-304 is the establishment of the Colorado Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Evidence Review Board. This organization is designed to reflect the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board, focusing on evaluating and recommending improvements to protocols and training in the criminal legal system's response to cases of sexual assault. In a statement given by Senator Mike Weissman, he spoke to the bipartisan support for the new law and emphasized the move towards heightened transparency to keep the public informed regarding the progress of these critical measures.
Underpinning these policy shifts is the recent charge against a former CBI forensic scientist, Missy Woods, for misconduct involving the manipulation of DNA test data, an incident that contributed heavily to the existing backlog. SB25-304, together with HB25-1275, aims to rectify these past oversights and ensure the integrity of Colorado’s forensic system going forward, offering a beacon of hope for survivors who have long awaited the wheels of justice to turn in their favor.
