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DAY FOR PEDALS Law was unconstitutional, and legislators were warned
BY JESSE PAUL AND ELLIOTT WENZLER THE COLORADO SUN
When a group of Colorado lawmakers in 2020 sought to end the state’s statute of limitations for lawsuits in child sex assault cases, some victims and victims’ advocates wanted them to try to go even further.
eir request was that Colorado give victims of abuse for whom the statute of limitations had expired a window to sue not only their abusers, but also organizations that shielded the perpetrators or negligently allowed the abuse to continue.
e nonpartisan O ce of Legislative Legal Services, which o ers state lawmakers legal advice, said such a window would violate the state’s constitution, which prohibits the General Assembly from reviving a claim for which the statute of limitations has run out. It turns out that opinion held merit.
e Colorado Supreme Court last week struck down the part of Senate Bill 88, a law passed by the legislature in 2021, giving victims of child sex abuse dating back to the 1960s a three-year window starting on Jan. 1, 2022, to le lawsuits against their abusers and the institutions or organizations that failed to stop the abuse. e high court’s decision was ere were many concerns about the constitutionality of Senate Bill 88 as it was debated in the legislature, but the measure’s sponsors took the rare step of proceeding anyway, saying the severity of the crime demanded it. Dozens of pending or soon-to-be- led cases were unraveled by the Supreme Court’s ruling.
SEE WARNED, P9
Lawnmower manufacturer Toro o ers greenspace grants e Toro Company is pleased to announce this year’s Greenspace Enhancement Grant Program, open to qualifying nonpro ts in Longmont and surrounding communities within 40 miles of the city.
As part of e Toro Company’s Land. Water. rive. initiative, the Greenspace Enhancement Grant Program provides funding opportunities for qualifying nonpro ts to revitalize and preserve the outdoor spaces in their communities.
Grant support in previous years has gone towards building neighborhood gardens focused on sustainable agriculture, transforming neglected park spaces and playgrounds, and educating communities on the importance of water conservation – among other projects. Public greenspaces provide a signi cant environmental and social value to the community, which is why e Toro Company is dedicated to helping organizations cultivate beautiful and functional outdoor environments to enjoy.
Qualifying organizations for this program must be located within 40 miles of e Toro Company location. Applications must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. (CDT) on July 31 for the Greenspace Enhancement Grant Program. For more details and to apply, visit https://www.thetorocompany.com/toro-community.
