Former Edgewater police officer McKinzie Rees hopes to serve and protect again, but first she must get her name removed from a so-called “bad cops list” maintained by the Colorado Attorney General’s Office.

A last-minute Colorado bill would add protections for law enforcement officers who accuse a fellow officer of misconduct. House Bill 24-1460 requires that law enforcement agencies investigate allegations of misconduct made against their officers and prohibits retaliation against an officer who files a complaint.

A bill aimed at protecting law enforcement officers who report misconduct by peers barely passes committee, amidst criticism of lack of stakeholder input.

Colorado lawmakers heard arguments for and against a bill that seeks to add additional protections for officers reporting internal misconduct.