§ 24-33.5-1702 — Legislative declaration

Colorado § 24-33.5-1702

• Jurisdiction: Colorado
• Title 24: Government
• Art.: Public Safety

Text

(1) The general assembly recognizes
the significant consequences of identity theft and financial fraud crimes on
Colorado citizens and businesses. The consequences suffered by Colorado citizens
and businesses include the trauma of recovering stolen identities and repairing
related damage to personal finances; the direct and indirect financial costs to
various victims, consumers, and businesses; the time dedicated to guarding against
and resolving such crimes; and the overall economic impact of such crimes.

(2) The general assembly recognizes the limited resources of local law
enforcement agencies, district attorneys, and the attorney general. It is the intent
of the Colorado general assembly to protect Colorado citizens and businesses by
enhancing the investigation and prosecution of identity theft and financial fraud
crimes by establishing a statewide resource in the form of a unit comprised of
attorneys, investigators, and support staff to assist the attorney general, sheriffs,
police, and district attorneys in investigating and prosecuting criminals who commit
identity theft and financial fraud crimes.

(3) It is the intent of the general assembly to supplement the existing law
enforcement and prosecution system and provide greater flexibility to respond to
the shifting aspects of identity theft and financial fraud crimes and priorities among
such crimes. The unit will also provide to the public and relevant groups appropriate
information about financial fraud and the unit's activities and results. It is further
the intent of the general assembly that the unit will focus its attention on criminal
activity involving financial transactions, including but not limited to the types of
crime covered under article 5 of title 18, C.R.S.; modifications to these and other
relevant crimes; new crimes as they evolve from time to time; and suspicious
activity reports required by federal law to be filed by depository institutions.

Legislative History

Source: L. 2006: Entire part added, p. 1291, � 1, effective May 30.