It’s Now Illegal to Threaten a Health Worker Online in Colorado

Is anyone else just a little disappointed that we have to have laws against making threats online? Call me crazy, but it just seems like we can do a better job of being kind. The pandemic has made people do abnormal things and some of those actions include targeting health officials due to guidelines or restrictions and Governor Polis in Colorado is now taking action for that to stop. According to The Washington Post, Polis signed a bill this week making it illegal for someone to post personal information about health workers, officials, and their families that could threaten their safety.

One of the big stories behind this bill becoming law was out of Rio Grande County when their head of the public health department was removed from her post after seeing a post online about “bodies swinging from trees”. No one should have to deal with threats like this.

Governor Polis Says He is Proud of our Health Workers in Colorado

Jared Polis described the work done by health care workers as “extraordinary”. He mentioned that they are all doing a great job and he wanted to sign this bill to let them know that they should not have to deal with these threats anywhere.

What is the Punishment for Threating a Health Worker in Colorado Now That It’s Illegal?

The first offense would be a misdemeanor and those caught could face up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine. Punishments would continue to increase if another threat was made.