A Denver District Court judge has ruled that the Colorado Department of Corrections and Governor Jared Polis violated the state constitution by forcing prisoners to work. This ruling stems from a class action lawsuit arguing that such practices contravene Colorado’s constitutional amendment, which prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude with no exceptions. The court ordered CDOC to cease threatening and using segregation as punishment for not working and to end policies that “double charge” non-working inmates.
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A class-action lawsuit against Colorado Governor Jared Polis and the Department of Corrections addresses forced labor within prisons, focusing on the 13th Amendment’s exception clause. Despite Colorado’s 2018 amendment abolishing slavery and forced labor without exception, the lawsuit alleges that prison labor practices haven’t changed, with inmates facing penalties for refusing to work. The plaintiffs argue this violates the state’s revised constitution, while state officials, citing pending litigation, declined to comment, but previously argued the labor program is for rehabilitation and doesn’t deny basic human rights. The trial is set to begin Tuesday.
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Breaking news from Evergreen High School, located approximately 28 miles southwest of Denver, reports an active shooter situation this afternoon. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office confirms that at least two students have been shot and are currently in critical condition at CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, alongside a third teenager. Authorities have not released further details regarding the shooter’s status. Parents are instructed to proceed to Bergen Meadow Elementary School for student reunification, while Governor Jared Polis has expressed his support and concern.
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John Q. Hosedrinker