A bipartisan group of lawmakers is hoping to reduce to Colorado’s rising domestic violence fatalities through a bill that would require law enforcement agencies around the state to conduct “lethality assessments” on domestic violence victims.
In early December of last year, police found the body of 37-year-old Annette Valdez in a trash can near a park in Westminster. Her ex-partner, Thomas Perales, was ultimately charged in connection with her murder. He had a history of domestic violence and repeatedly violated Valdez’s protection order against him, according to authorities.
Rep. Ryan Gonzalez, R-Greeley, said Valdez might still be alive today had law enforcement been required to conduct a “lethality assessment” when responding to her previous calls…