(1) There is hereby created in the Colorado bureau of investigation in the department of public safety a unit for the investigation and prosecution of identity theft and financial fraud, referred to in this part 17 as the "unit". The unit shall be known in the department as the "Colorado fraud investigators unit".
The purpose of the unit shall be to assist the attorney general, sheriffs, police, anddistrict attorneys in investigating identity theft and financial fraud crimes and in prosecuting persons who commit those crimes. The unit shall also serve as an educational resource for law enforcement agencies, members of the financial industry, and the public regarding identity theft and financial fraud crimes and strategies for protection from and deterrence of these crimes. The unit shall operate pursuant to the comprehensive plan prepared by the unit and approved by the board pursuant to section 24-33.5-1706. The board shall have the oversight and direction of the unit in all of its operations.
The unit shall:
Gather information concerning identity theft and financial fraud and to analyze theinformation and identify relevant criminal activities, patterns, and trends throughout the state or regions thereof, whether multijurisdictional or not;
Target specific forms of identity theft and financial fraud, as such forms change, onwhich to concentrate unit resources and effort;
Disseminate information to the public, local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors,depository institutions, and other businesses concerning current and anticipated identity theft and financial fraud crimes, recommended steps to prevent such crimes, and patterns and trends in such crimes;
Prepare and present classes, briefings, and materials, in printed or electronic format,to assist local law enforcement agencies, district attorneys, and the attorney general in their investigations and prosecutions; and
Provide consultation on an individual case, but only upon the request of a local lawenforcement agency, a local district attorney, or the attorney general.
All unit resources shall be used to supplement and not replace existing law enforcement and prosecution efforts against identity theft and financial fraud crimes.
The unit shall be responsive to shifting aspects of identity theft and financial fraudcrimes and priorities among such crimes.
The unit shall provide such clerical and technical assistance as the board may require.
(a) Beginning in 2014, and every year thereafter through 2024, the department of public safety shall report on the activities of the unit as part of its "State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act" hearing required by section 2-7-203.
(b) This subsection (7) is repealed, effective July 1, 2025.
Source: L. 2006: Entire part added, p. 1293, § 1, effective May 30. L. 2014: (7) added, (HB 14-1057), ch. 121, p. 430, § 2, effective July 1. L. 2017: (7) amended, (HB 17-1043), ch. 391, p. 2018, § 1, effective June 6. L. 2020: (7) amended, (SB 20-210), ch. 199, p. 978, § 1, effective June 30.