BOULDER, COLO. — Weds., April 22, 2026 — Today, District Attorney and candidate for Colorado Attorney General Michael Dougherty announced a sweeping plan to eliminate Colorado’s backlog of untested sexual assault kits and strengthen the prosecution of sex crimes statewide—calling the current system “unacceptable for survivors and a failure of justice.”

In 2013, Dougherty helped lead an effort to deal with Colorado’s backlog of untested sexual assault kits. As a result of that work, more than 3,500 backlogged sexual assault evidence kits were tested and results returned to Colorado law enforcement as specified in Colorado House Bill 13-1020.

Despite years of attention, Colorado again faces a serious backlog of sexual assault kits, with hundreds of cases still waiting for testing and turnaround times that have stretched well beyond what is just. Some survivors have waited more than a year just to receive results from their own cases.

“Let’s be clear: this backlog is unacceptable,” said Dougherty. “Every untested kit represents a survivor waiting for answers, an offender who may still be on the streets, and a justice system that is falling short.”

As Attorney General, Dougherty pledged to:

• Eliminate Colorado’s sexual assault kit backlog once and for all

• Ensure timely testing moving forward so this never happens again

• Create a statewide Sex Assault Response Team (SART) within the Attorney General’s Office to assist local district attorneys—upon request—with complex sexual assault investigations and prosecutions

• Bring accountability and urgency to how these cases are handled across Colorado

Dougherty emphasized that delays in testing are not just administrative failures—they have real consequences for public safety. Experts estimate that clearing Colorado’s backlog could lead to hundreds of prosecutions and prevent over 1,000 future sexual assaults and other crimes.

“This is about preventing future victims as much as it is about delivering justice for survivors,” Dougherty said. “When kits are untested, cases stall, leads go cold, and dangerous individuals remain free.”

Dougherty brings extensive experience prosecuting sex crimes, including cases involving sexual assault, crimes against children, and domestic violence. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with survivors and law enforcement to build strong cases and hold offenders accountable.

Most recently, in December of 2025, Dougherty led the trial team and prosecution of a Fire Department Captain who sexually assaulted five women, including two 17-year-olds, through his role in the command of the Hygiene Fire Department. Dougherty handled the case at trial. After being found guilty on all charges, the defendant was sentenced to 55 years-to-life in state prison. 

“Prosecuting sex crimes requires urgency, experience, and a survivor-centered approach,” Dougherty said. “I’ve done this work, and as Attorney General, I will make sure every community in Colorado has access to the resources needed to do it right.”

Kelsey Harbert, President and Founder of Tracing The Steps, an online resource for sexual assault survivors that also works to eliminate the sexual assault kit backlog, praised Dougherty’s plan:

“Michael Dougherty understands that every delayed test is a delay in justice. His commitment to eliminating the backlog and strengthening how these cases are investigated and prosecuted is exactly the kind of leadership survivors need,” said Kelsey Harbert. 

“We should never accept a system where survivors are left waiting months — or even years — for answers,” he said. “As Attorney General, I won’t.”