Denver's City Health and Safety meeting on July 30, 2025, highlighted significant discussions surrounding bail reform and pretrial supervision, aiming to enhance community safety while respecting individual rights.

A key focus was the current bail system, which mandates that individuals arrested—except for first-degree murder—must have bail set within 48 hours and be released within six hours of posting bond. This process is designed to uphold the U.S. Constitution's stipulation that bail cannot serve as punishment. However, concerns were raised about the effectiveness of financial conditions in determining who poses a risk to the community, as they often favor those who can afford to pay.

The meeting underscored Colorado's constitutional limitations on judicial discretion regarding pretrial detention. Judges are required to set bail, leaving little room for detaining individuals deemed a risk. This has led to a reliance on monetary bonds, which may not accurately reflect the risk posed by the accused.

The pretrial services team reported that they engage with individuals shortly after arrest, prioritizing those charged with felonies, certain misdemeanors, and domestic violence cases. In 2024, the average daily population under pretrial supervision rose to approximately 2,300 individuals, with about 20% required to wear electronic monitoring devices.

The discussions also revealed that the majority of those supervised are male, with a significant portion of offenses related to domestic violence. The pretrial system aims to ensure that individuals attend their court dates and refrain from committing new offenses while on release.

As Denver continues to navigate these complex issues, the focus remains on balancing community safety with the rights of individuals awaiting trial, highlighting the ongoing need for reform in the bail system.