CEO Celebrates Milestone Win in CO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Claire Gross, Sr. Manager of Public Relations
cgross@ceoworks.org | (646) 370-8292
Denver, CO–June 3, 2026–Today, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed the Reentry Readiness Act (HB26-1256) into law. The following includes a quote fromGovernor Jared Polis and a statement from Simone Price, Director of Organizing at the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO):
“Today marks a new beginning for reentry in Colorado. Starting January 1, 2027, every person leaving incarceration will start their reentry journey with $100 in their pocket and their vital documents in hand. The Reentry Readiness Act also requires additional reporting of these services, increasing transparency within the Colorado’s Department of Corrections' as it relates to reentry procedures, and ensuring support for every returning Coloradan.
CEO applauds Governor Jared Polis for signing the Reentry Readiness Act into law and for understanding the urgency of need for support. CEO is also grateful to our legislative champions, Representative Jackson, Representative Marbrey, and Senator Cutter for their dedication and support at every step of this bill’s journey.
From its inception to its passage, the Reentry Readiness Act, and its success, is a product of advocacy from the people who have experienced firsthand the challenges of reentry. Justice-impacted voices, testimonies, and interviews brought this bill across the finish line, all the while knowing they wouldn’t be the ones reaping the benefits. Their work in support of this bill was a true act of selflessness and altruism, a characteristic of so many people in the justice-impacted community that is often overlooked, but a trait I see constantly in my work.
As CEO celebrates this win, we are also looking to the future and setting sights on passing legislation that provides more significant financial support upon reentry. We look forward to crafting and implementing policy that breaks down barriers for justice-impacted people in Colorado.”
A quote from Colorado Governor Jared Polis
“Ensuring those who have served time have the resources to successfully reenter society is important to protecting public safety and preventing recidivism. This bill will ensure that when reentering society, Coloradans have access to the basic identification and initial support needed to safely restart life."
Background
An ID or social security card can mean the difference between a fresh start or falling between the cracks. Before the Reentry Readiness Act, leaving incarceration with vital documents in hand was a game of chance–either setting someone up for success or expecting someone to rebuild their lives with one hand tied behind their back. Now, each person leaving prison will have the necessary identification to secure employment, rent an apartment, sign up for benefits, or open a bank account.
As with vital documents, $100 in hand during first moments of release offers a chance to breathe for people when they reenter their communities. Too often though, people leaving prison have their $100 dollars withheld or decreased. The Reentry Readiness Act protects these funds allowing people to buy themselves a hot meal or new clothes, or pay for transportation to receive essential services such as job training or housing support.
The Reentry Readiness Act also increases oversight of and data sharing from the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC). This aspect of the bill ensures that CDOC follows the letter of law and reports any deficiencies or obstacles to implementation so that they can be addressed immediately.
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About the Center for Employment Opportunities
The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provides immediate, effective, and comprehensive employment services exclusively to people recently released from incarceration. CEO currently operates in 30 cities in 12 states and is dedicated to ensuring justice-impacted people have opportunities to achieve socioeconomic mobility. For more information, visit ceoworks.org.