Wes McKinley

By Tim Hoover

Created 03/13/2008 - 1:16pm

It would be a felony to threaten a judge in Colorado under a bill that passed the House today and which one lawmaker said treaded on free speech.

House Bill 1115, sponsored by Rep. Larry Liston, R-Colorado Springs, would make it a class 3 felony to make a threat "to cause fear of harm to the health or safety" of a judge or his or her family.

Liston said the bill was needed to deter people who have been aggrieved by a judge's decision from trying to retaliate against the judge.

But Rep. Wes McKinley, D-Walsh, said the bill was an attempt to police speech. McKinley asked whether teachers, police officers and even highway workers who get threats should be covered, too.

"What's next? The thought police?" McKinley asked.

Defenders of the bill said speech that harasses or intimidates isn't protected by the First Amendment.

The measure passed on a 59-6 vote and now goes to the Senate.

Also today, the House, on a 41-24 vote, passed a bill that would make it easier for new taxicab companies to start up in Denver. Proponents have argued the bill would break up a monopoly on taxi service held by three companies, while opponents said it would hurt service. The bill now goes to the Senate.

The House also gave initial approval to a bill that would pump up to $500 million into schools for construction needs in coming years. The money would come from a fund financed by land-use revenues that has grown dramatically in recent years. The House approved the measure on a voice vote and must OK it once more before it can go to the Senate.