A bill sponsored by Grand Junction State Representative Josh Penry closing loopholes in Colorado's sexual predator statutes is signed into law by Governor Bill Owens.
Penry's bill expands the registration and notification requirements of sexual predators moving to Colorado from other states. The new law also requires that communities be notified when a violent predator moves in and mandates tough prison sentences for those who fail to register as required. Grand Junction police chief Bill Gardner says the bill is needed, but says it will increase the work load for law enforcement. Penry says the bill includes extra funding for law enforcement to carry out the new law's requirements.
Penry says he plans next year to introduce strengthened sentencing requirements for sexual predators. He co–sponsored a similar bill this year, but it failed to pass a house committee vote.
