Law enforcement in Colorado could get wiretaps extended more easily under a bill that won House approval Wednesday over objections from some lawmakers that it might tread on civil liberties
Under current law, judges can grant orders allowing state and local police to conduct a wiretap for 30 days and then grant one 30-day extension.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Stella Garza Hicks, R-Colorado Springs, would allow a judge to grant unlimited extensions.
Rep. Wes McKinley said the bill went too far.
“Let’s not become a police state,” the Democrat from Walsh said. “There’s going to be a lot of innocent people wiretapped.”
But Rep. Steve King, a Grand Junction Republican and former sheriff’s investigator, said the bill would give police the necessary tools to investigate crime. They would still need a court order for a wiretap, he said.
“Drug dealers don’t care about your rights,” King said. “Fortunately, we have a judiciary that does care.”
Rep. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, said the measure would take the state in a dangerous direction.
“Once this horse is out of the barn, we may not get it back in,” she said.
Rep. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, said the bill would remove bureaucratic barriers when police need to monitor drug dealers and criminals using codes.
“This bill is about very sophisticated international crime syndicates operating in the state of Colorado,” Gardner said. “I believe it is a reasonable way to combat crime and protect our children.”
Lawmakers passed the bill on a 43-20 vote, with all opposing votes coming from Democrats.
The measure now moves to the Senate.
Tim Hoover: 303-954-1626 or thoover@denverpost.com
