CO HB1250

Requires criminal charges to be filed before any nuisance abatement or forfeiture proceeding can begin, and eliminates the existing exception allowing forfeiture based solely on clear and convincing evidence without a criminal conviction

Establishes a right to court-appointed forfeiture defense counsel for defendants facing forfeiture proceedings connected to criminal charges, with attorney compensation capped at $3,500 unless the court finds good cause for more

Creates the Forfeiture Defense Counsel Fund in the state treasury, initially funded with $1.1 million transferred from the Law Enforcement Community Services Grant Program Fund

Prohibits seizing agencies from receiving forfeiture proceeds after July 1, 2026, redirecting the distribution so 50% goes to local government, 25% to the forfeiture defense counsel fund, and 25% to the law enforcement community services grant program

Requires that if a forfeiture defendant prevails, the plaintiff must reimburse either the defense fund or private counsel for attorney fees incurred