Press Releases

EVERGREEN, CO — Today, at a press conference, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) with State Representative Tammy Story, Jefferson County Sheriff Reggie Marinelli, and members of the Evergreen community, outlined a coordinated legislative response following the tragedy at Evergreen High School last September.

In briefings after the September 10 shooting, Jefferson County elected officials learned from law enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that the shooter had posted disturbing and credible warning signs on Tik Tok months earlier. Those posts were reported to federal authorities months in advance, but delays by social media platforms in responding to subpoenas prevented investigators from identifying the individual until after the shooting occurred.

Rep. Pettersen’s federal legislation — the Evergreen Community Safety Act — directly addresses this failure by requiring social media and telecommunications companies to respond to FBI subpoenas and warrants related to credible threats within 72 hours, instead of the 35 days currently allowed. Faster responses would give law enforcement the time they need to intervene and potentially save lives before violence occurs. Colorado state leaders announced companion legislation to complement the federal bill. 

“Our schools are supposed to be a safe place — one where we should be able to drop our kids off without worrying if we will see them again. Unfortunately, that is far from our reality in the US, and what happened at Evergreen High School is every parent’s worst nightmare,” said Pettersen. “In the weeks before the shooting, there were warning signs online, yet law enforcement didn’t get the information they needed in time. This legislation closes a dangerous gap by requiring social media companies to respond to credible threats quicker and prevent tragedies like this one from happening again. I’m grateful to Senator Lisa Cutter, Representative Tammy Story, and Sheriff Reggie Marinelli for working with me at the state and federal levels to make sure our kids are safe in their classrooms.”

Pettersen continued, “While we know this is a complicated issue, we also know that the radicalization of kids online and easy access to firearms can be a lethal combination. That’s why I’m also proud to introduce two other bills to strengthen Extreme Risk Protection Orders and encourage the safe storage of firearms, making sure deadly weapons can’t fall into the hands of people who could be a danger to themselves or others. As a mom, I refuse to accept this as our reality — our kids deserve to grow up in a world free from gun violence.”

“Our students, teachers and administrators deserve to feel safe in our schools, and the tragic shooting at Evergreen High School last year served as a grave reminder that we must do more,” said State Representative Tammy Story, D-Conifer. “I am working alongside Congresswoman Pettersen to make Colorado safer for all. When someone posts troubling or threatening content on social media, law enforcement sometimes runs into substantial roadblocks in receiving timely responses from social media companies when they issue a search warrant. In an emergency, every second counts, and new legislation I am sponsoring at the state level would streamline coordination between social media companies and law enforcement to help prevent crime before it happens.”

Representative Pettersen announced her latest three pieces of legislation today at an event at the Wulf Recreation Center in Evergreen, Colorado, where students sheltered during the Evergreen High School shooting last fall. Companion legislation was introduced at the state level by State Senator Lisa Cutter and State Representative Tammy Story. 

Specifically, the Evergreen Community Safety Act would:

• Require social media companies to respond to warrants and subpoena requests regarding potential threats of violence within 72 hours.

• Bill text is available HERE.

The Community Firearm Safety Act would:

• Create a permissible use under the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to allow grants for localities to procure and distribute safe firearm storage boxes to community members.

• Bill text is available HERE.

The Community Risk Training and Response Act would: 

• Create a grant program through the Office of the Attorney General for up to $500,000 for localities to provide technical assistance and training to law enforcement, prosecutors, judges and court staff, healthcare providers, educators, and agencies designated to coordinate Extreme Risk Order Implementation and to develop standardized extreme risk protection order training and curriculum nationwide. 

• Bill text is available HERE.

Since coming to Congress, Pettersen has fought for commonsense legislation to keep children safe from gun violence. After the September 10 shooting at Evergreen High School, Pettersen mourned with the Evergreen community, meeting with families and local leaders, and she pressed law enforcement for answers about how the tragedy occurred. In the days that followed, she introduced a House resolution condemning the attack and led the Colorado delegation in demanding accountability and action. 

Pettersen also spoke on the House floor, calling on leaders to stop accepting gun violence as inevitable. She is now building on that record by introducing legislation designed to close gaps exposed by the shooting and give communities the tools they need to prevent future acts of violence.