News & Commentary

On today's episode, Judge Powell of the Alamosa Municipal Court violated civil rights and punished defendants for their poverty. He used jail, and the threat of jail, to collect money from defendants who could not pay, in violation of state law. We shined a light on his unjust practices in the investigative report, Justice Derailed. John sits down with an author of this report, Becca Curry, Research and Policy Associate at the ACLU of Colorado. Alejandra speaks with Alex Raines, a former public defender, about his first-hand experiences at the Alamosa Municipal Court. Also, John talks about a case involving a woman who was held in the El Paso Jail, and separated from her children for 27 days, because she couldn’t pay a $55 fine. Call To Action: Alejandra calls attention to voting rights. Visit peoplepower.org to learn more.

DENVER - The ACLU of Colorado filed a lawsuit in federal court this morning against El Paso County on behalf of Jasmine Still, a Colorado Springs resident who was held in jail for 27 days after a court granted her release, without payment of money, through a personal recognizance bond (PR bond). Despite the court’s order, El Paso County continued to hold Ms. Still, because she was unable to pay a $55 fee for El Paso County Pretrial Services.

On this bonus podcast, we highlight a local Colorado election that could have huge implications for the future of our public schools and the integrity of our state constitution. Out of state interests are pouring piles of money into Douglas County to revive a private school voucher scheme that was declared unconstitutional by the Colorado Supreme Court because it illegally funnels taxpayer money to private, religious schools. We talk to Cindy Barnard, President of Taxpayers for Public Education, who was there at the start of the program and organized concerned parents and residents to fight it. We also interview two representatives from Disability Law Colorado, who explain how vouchers are used to discriminate against and harm children with physical and developmental disabilities. To learn more about vouchers and the Douglas County election, go to: https://migrate-des-awp-colorado

DENVER – The Denver District Court affirmed a lower court ruling finding Denver’s park exclusion directive unconstitutional because it denies fundamental due process rights.

By Ria Tabacco Mar OCTOBER 24, 2017 | 1:00 PM

On today’s episode, John sits down with David Cole, ACLU national Legal Director. Mr. Cole oversees the ACLU’s U.S. Supreme Court docket. He discusses the cases that will be decided during what he calls “A huge session at the Supreme Court” and the wide implications of their outcomes. Also, John has a news update on an investigation into abusive practices at a court in Alamosa. Call To Action: Alejandra highlights the importance of participating in local elections. For more information on how to participate and help ACLU of Colorado turn out voters, email Alejandra at