Colorado Set To Become 22nd State To Abolish Death Penalty

DENVER — Colorado's House of Representatives approved a bill Wednesday to repeal the death penalty in the state. The bill, approved 38-27, was sent to Gov. Jared Polis, who is expected to sign it into law. This is the sixth attempt to repeal the death penalty in the state since 2009.

The bill had passed its second reading Tuesday after many hours of debate, which included five hours of testimony.

Rep. Tom Sullivan, a Democrat whose son was killed in the 2012 Aurora theater shooting, opposed the bill. He and two other Democrats, Reps. Kyle Mullica and Brianna Titone, voted against the measure. No Republicans voted for the measure.

Other Democrats have called the death penalty system unjust and not cost-effective.

The measure passed its third reading Wednesday. If Polis signs the bill into law as expected, Colorado will become the 22nd U.S. state to abolish the death penalty.

The bill would not apply to three men who face the death penalty in Colorado; however, Polis said he might consider their clemency upon request.

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