Colorado Lawmakers Pass Life-Saving Gun Violence Prevention Measures, Colorado Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Respond 

DENVER – The Colorado chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement applauding Colorado lawmakers for advancing critical and foundational gun violence prevention bills. Today, the Colorado Senate voted to pass, Senate Bill 23-170, a bill to strengthen Colorado’s extreme risk protection law, Senate Bill 23-169, legislation to raise the age requirement for firearm purchase to 21 years old, and Senate Bill 23-168, legislation to help hold bad actors in the gun industry accountable for their role in the gun violence crisis. Over the weekend, the Colorado House also voted to pass House Bill 23-1219, legislation to create a mandatory firearm purchase waiting period. Volunteers from Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action spent nearly 12 hours in the hearings, showing their support for the legislation and ensuring their voices were heard. 

“In November, Colorado voters made our voices heard loud and clear, electing more gun safety champions, and strengthening Colorado’s gun sense trifecta that has the power and momentum to act on gun safety,” said Abbey Winter, a volunteer with the Colorado chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We thank Colorado lawmakers for moving with urgency to pass these life-saving gun safety bills, and look forward to swift progress on other legislation awaiting a vote. We look forward to continue working with Colorado legislators to  fight the gun violence epidemic and save lives.” 

“My generation has learned to live in fear of gun violence. We’ve feared for our lives in the places we should feel the safest, and we’ve had enough,” said Clara Taub, a volunteer with Students Demand Action. “Last November, we elected lawmakers who promised us that they would protect us by prioritizing life saving gun safety legislation — and I’m grateful they’re keeping their promise. For young people across Colorado, we are now one step closer to a future free from gun violence.” 

Two weeks ago Moms Demand Action volunteers stood by Colorado lawmakers as they introduced a gun violence prevention legislative package. The package introduction comes following the 2022 year that saw at least 26 mass shootings across the country, including two in Colorado – one in Aurora in October, and another in Colorado Springs in November. 

In an average year, 930 people die and 466 are wounded by guns in Colorado. Guns are the leading cause of death among children and teens in Colorado, and an average of 79 children and teens die by guns every year, of which 51% are suicides and 45% are homicides. 

Gun violence in Colorado costs $2,039 per resident each year. Gun deaths and injuries cost Colorado $11.7 billion each year, of which $156.1 million is paid by taxpayers

More information about gun violence in Colorado is available here.