Colorado Neighborhoods Receive Decisive Answer on Injection Sites
Conservatives in Colorado are relieved after Governor Jared Polis bows to pressure and vowed to veto a controversial bill that would have allowed government-run “injection sites” to open in Denver.
The proposal, which was rejected by a legislative interim committee on Monday, would have allowed open drug use and provided workers trained in reversing overdoses to monitor and assist individuals inject illegal drugs at taxpayer run facilities.
According to Polis’ spokesman, Conor Cahill, “there is great uncertainty nationally about the role of the federal government and how they would enforce these sites that are already operating in other states.”
This echoes the concerns of many conservatives who fear that these sites would further enable drug use and potentially attract even more illegal activities to the area.
The governor, a Democrat, had previously been ambiguous about his stance on the proposal, but his recent public announcement of opposition effectively shuts down any possibility of the sites opening in Colorado before his term ends in 2027. Polis stated that he supports efforts to reduce homelessness and make Colorado safer, but allowing government-run drug injection sites is not the way to achieve these goals.
The announcement of Polis’ veto promise was made during an Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee meeting, where the draft measure was ultimately voted down from advancing to the full legislature for consideration.
This is a win for Republicans and two Democrats, Sen. Kyle Mullica and Rep. Mary Young, who joined forces to oppose the proposal.
In a previous vote earlier this year, Mullica was a deciding vote against a similar measure in the General Assembly, HB23-1202. He stated that he “appreciates the conversations” about the issue, but ultimately could not support the bill. Young, who represents a swing district, expressed that her decision was based on the concerns of her constituents.
Overall, the vote to reject advancing this bill was six against and only four in support. State Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, a Democrat and chair of the interim committee, expressed disappointment that the bill did not move forward. He also acknowledged the serious conversations that have been had surrounding the issue.
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While proponents of the measure still have the option to introduce it during the next legislative session, they face an uphill battle. Not only would the bill have to pass both the House and Senate, but it would also have to overcome Polis’ promised veto. This would require a supermajority of support, which the proposal almost certainly does not have.
Considering Polis’ strong stance against these harmful drug injection sites, conservatives in Colorado can breathe a sigh of relief that Colorado communities will not be subjected to these dangerous and ineffective policies.