SB 23-282 Summary

• Establishes September 5th annually as "Jury Appreciation Day" in Colorado, commemorating the 1670 jury trial of William Penn who was acquitted despite facing the death penalty.

• Directs the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing Jury Appreciation Day and authorizes public observance by citizens, jury commissioners, and public schools to highlight the importance of jury service.

• Requires state agencies to maintain minimum staffing levels on Jury Appreciation Day to conduct usual operations.

• Makes the Jury Appreciation Day holiday a substitute for one existing legal holiday under Colorado law, keeping the total number of state employee holidays unchanged.

• Takes effect 90 days after final adjournment of the general assembly, subject to voter approval if a referendum petition is filed by November 2024.