Colorado Lawmakers Push for Bill Restricting Sex Offenders Near Schools

Northglenn residents voice concerns over transitional living home near elementary school

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:49am

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A serene, cinematic painting of a school building with a transitional living home in the background, bathed in warm sunlight and deep shadows, conveying the complex tensions surrounding the placement of such facilities near schools.A community grapples with the delicate balance between rehabilitation and public safety as a transitional living facility opens near an elementary school.Northglenn Today

Northglenn residents and state lawmakers are calling for a legislative fix after a mental health transitional living home opened less than 1,000 feet from an elementary school, allowing registered sex offenders to reside there. The situation prompted Democratic Rep. Lori Goldstein and Democratic State Sen. Kyle Mullica to sponsor a bill that would prohibit registered sex offenders from residing in transitional living facilities within 1,000 feet of a school.

Why it matters

The Northglenn case highlights the ongoing tension between providing treatment options for offenders and ensuring the safety of surrounding communities, especially when it comes to the proximity of such facilities to schools. The proposed legislation aims to codify local restrictions into state law, offering more permanent protection for residents.

The details

In 2022, a mental health transitional living home opened near Stukey Elementary School in Northglenn without notifying the city. The city has an ordinance prohibiting registered sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school, but the state-run facility sidestepped this rule. Northglenn Mayor Meredith Leighty said the city 'accidentally found out' about the facility and the community 'came out in force to protest' the location due to the potential for registered sex offenders to live there. The situation has also been marked by public safety concerns, with 72 calls for service to the facility over two years and a violent incident in January.

  • The mental health transitional living home opened in 2022.
  • In January 2026, a violent incident occurred at the facility.

The players

Meredith Leighty

The mayor of Northglenn who says the city was not notified about the opening of the transitional living home near an elementary school.

Lori Goldstein

A Democratic state representative who is sponsoring a bill to prohibit registered sex offenders from residing in transitional living facilities within 1,000 feet of a school.

Kyle Mullica

A Democratic state senator who is co-sponsoring the bill with Rep. Goldstein.

Colorado Department of Human Services

The state agency that oversees the mental health transitional living facilities and has extended an internal policy to bar registered sex offenders from residing in such homes for at least the next five years.

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What they’re saying

“What we were trying to do with this bill is try to codify the work that already happened to make sure it's in statute, it's not just a policy.”

— Kyle Mullica, Democratic State Senator

“Seventy-two calls over a two-year period is excessive, and it frightens the community.”

— Meredith Leighty, Northglenn Mayor

“One of my concerns with this bill is what is the alternative, because by enacting this, we are removing a treatment option for individuals who need treatment options. Treatment reduces recidivism.”

— Northglenn Resident

What’s next

The proposed bill is expected to face an uphill battle, with Northglenn's mayor warning that it is likely to die in committee.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing the need for treatment options for offenders with the safety concerns of surrounding communities, especially when it comes to the proximity of such facilities to schools. The proposed legislation aims to provide more permanent legal protections, but its passage remains uncertain.