Bill to punish drug dealers for user deaths fails

DENVER — Prosecutors in Colorado can charge someone with a felony for giving out fentanyl that kills someone. With Senate Bill 23-109 lawmakers tried to expand that penalty to other drugs, but this week the bill failed.

SB23-109 would have made it a felony if a person sold or distributed any quantity for a controlled substance and that act resulted in the death of person who took the drug. 

Lawmakers agree too many people are dying of drug overdoses, but ideas to save lives were met with division.