CFCU

The 13th Sandy Hook Anniversary and National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence in December call upon us to honor the victims of gun violence with faith fueled action. Here are two action steps you can take to reduce gun violence.

Help CFCU Inform Educators about New ERPO (Extreme Risk Protection Order)  Training--you can assist by forwarding a single email.

We need your help informing teachers you know (K-12 and college level) about the new ERPO Training curriculum developed by the AG’s office.  Training more educators to spot warning signs and use the ERPO tool when appropriate is a critical step to preventing school tragedies.  And reaching out to just one teacher can plant a seed leading to more teachers at that school  learning about this lifesaving tool.

Please take the time to identify at least one teacher you know personally or indirectly and encourage them to take this one hour training for which they can earn Continuing Education Credits  Here’s a sample message you can use or modify for outreach.  CFCU is trying to monitor our outreach so please let us know which school(s)/District were contacted at  publichealthstrategies@cfcu-co.org

Sample Message to Educators in Your Congregation or Friendship Circle

Our/my congregation helped pass Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) legislation in 2019 as a member of Colorado Faith Communities United to end Gun Violence.  ERPO is a lifesaving tool that allows for the removal of firearms from the home when an individual poses a serious risk to themselves or others as determined through a judicial process.  To increase its effectiveness,  ERPO was expanded in 2023 to enable educators and health/behavioral professionals to also file these petitions. 

Colorado has a long and painful history of school gun violence, some of which can be prevented using Colorado’s Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law. Training more educators to spot warning signs and use the ERPO tool when appropriate is a critical step to preventing school tragedies. 

I'm writing to provide you with information about this new curriculum for educators developed by the Colorado AG’s Office and encourage you to take this one hour training which also qualifies for Continuing Education Credits.  Please let me know if you decide to take this training and any feedback for improving its usefulness.

ERPO Training Information for Educators

The Colorado Department of Law has officially launched its free, interactive training on Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) for gun violence prevention.  This training is designed specifically for educators, administrators, threat assessment team members, and any school staff who are concerned about preventing gun violence in schools.  

The training includes two 30-minute modules with versions for K-12 (link opens in new tab) and higher education (link opens in new tab):

• Module 1: An overview of what to do when concerned about a student’s risk of harm to self or others, including how to work with threat assessment teams and when ERPOs may be a relevant tool 

• Module 2: A practical, step-by-step guide to filing for an ERPO, with best practices.

This training was piloted with over 100 educators.  After the training, 96% of educators claimed they understood the circumstances warranting an ERPO and 100% claimed they understood the process.  Participants stated the training was valuable for school professionals, that it was engaging, and that it struck a politically balanced approach.

Each module includes scenarios, downloadable tools, and guidance tailored to K-12 or higher ed settings.  The training is available on COTRAIN at no cost and can be used for continuing education credit.  

Action Alert: Contact Your Elected Leaders

Please contact Colorado’s U.S. Senators and your Congressional Representative to ask that they vote against  HB 38 (“Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act”) which has the potential to wipe out many of the gun safety measures Colorado has enacted.

Bill Summary and Background

“This bill establishes a federal statutory framework to regulate the carry or possession of concealed firearms across state lines.  Specifically, an individual who is eligible to carry a concealed firearm in one state may carry or possess a concealed handgun (other than a machine gun or destructive device) in another state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms.  The bill preempts most state and local laws related to concealed carry and establishes a private right of action for a person adversely affected by interference with a concealed-carry right established by this bill.”

Sponsored by House Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC-9) with 189 co-sponsors, including Representatives Crank, Hurd, and Evans of Colorado.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/38

Currently, 29 states now allow residents to carry loaded concealed firearms without a permit or safety training.  Under H.R.38, individuals from 27 of those states would be allowed to carry weapons anywhere in the country without even a background check. (Two of the 29 states require a background check to purchase some or all firearms.)

https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/policy-areas/guns-in-public/concealed-carry/

Current Status of H.R. 38

The bill passed the House Judiciary Committee with a vote of 18-9 along party lines.  It is a high priority bill for the gun lobby and is expected to move relatively quickly through Congress.

Actions We All Can Take to Oppose H.R. 38

Please contact Colorado’s U.S. Senators and your Congressional Representative to ask that they vote against this dangerous bill.  There is no need to contact members of Congress who represent districts other than the one you live in.  Below is their contact information, and below that are some talking points.  As the bill moves through Congress, we will send updates and other actions to take.

U.S. Senators

Michael Bennet: 303-455-7600, https://www.bennet.senate.gov

John Hickenlooper: 303-244-1628, https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/email-john/

U.S. House Representatives

Dianna DeGette (CO-1): 303-844-4988, https://degette.house.gov/contact/e-mail-diana

Joe Neguse (CO-2): 303-335-1045, https://neguse.house.gov/contact

Jeff Hurd (CO-3): 970)-208-0455, https://hurd.house.gov/address_authentication?form=/contact/email-me

Lauren Boebert (CO-4): 970-702-2136, https://boebertforms.house.gov/contact/

Jeff Crank (CO-5): 719-520-0055, https://crank.house.gov/contact/email-me

Jason Crow (CO-6): 720- 748-7514, https://crow.house.gov/contact/email-me

Brittany Pettersen (CO-7): 303-274-7944, https://pettersen.house.gov/contact/

Gabe Evans (CO-8): 303-723-6560, https://gabeevans.house.gov/address_authentication?form=/contact/email-me

Talking Points

1. H.R. 38 would override state laws. 

This bill would substitute the laws of a person’s residence for the laws of the state in which they are physically present, overriding state laws governing who can carry a loaded concealed handgun, where they can carry it, and who can possess such a weapon in the first place. 

2. H.R. 38 would undermine state sovereignty.

State laws typically govern what is and is not legal within state boundaries, regardless of whether an individual is a resident or visitor.  Federally mandated concealed carry reciprocity would upend this basic principle by allowing people who are legally permitted to carry concealed loaded handguns in their home states to carry them everywhere in the United States, even if the individual is prohibited from possessing firearms in the travel state.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/10/opinion/concealed-carry-weapons-states-reciprocity/

3. H.R. 38 would enable people with convictions for violent crimes in their home states to conceal carry in states whose laws would not allow them to. Even if an individual has a history of violent convictions, they would be able to carry concealed weapons in a state that wouldn’t otherwise let them so long as they are allowed to under their own state laws. 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/10/opinion/concealed-carry-weapons-states-reciprocity/

4. H.R. 38 would allow individuals from nearly all permit less carry states to carry concealed weapons nationwide without background checks.
In addition to background checks, many states require training in the handling of firearms, including live fire training and a course on state laws associated with firearm ownership and carrying.  Those and other standards for being granted a concealed carry permit in Colorado were established by HB24-1174. The passage of H.R. 38 would negate those requirements for visitors to Colorado from states lacking those requirements.

Guns in Public Spaces | Brady United

5. There is no widely endorsed research that expanding public concealed carry has any public safety benefits.  
In fact, guns have the potential to turn a contentious situation into a deadly one. When a firearm is present, a situation that could have been diffused may instead end in injury or death. In states that have adopted permitless concealed carry laws, such laws have been associated with a 13% increase in firearm homicides and a 29% increase in violent gun crime.

https://www.bradyunited.org/resources/issues/concealed-carry

6. H.R. 38 would undermine sensitive spaces laws in CO and other states.

Many states, including Colorado, have laws that prohibit guns in places like schools, airports, courthouses, parks, and large public gatherings.  Among other sensitive spaces, Colorado bans guns in licensed day care centers and K-12 schools (SB24-131).  Should this bill pass, it would become markedly easier for out-of-staters to carry loaded, hidden guns into those settings.

7. H.R. 38 would penalize law enforcement officers personally for enforcing state gun safety laws. 

The bill allows individuals to sue any law enforcement officer who arrests or detains someone from another state on suspicion of unlawfully carrying a firearm if the individual is ultimately found to be carrying legally under their home state's laws. Officers would be personally liable for monetary penalties.