LITA 23: How Colorado is Failing Survivors of Sexual Assault with Kelsey Harbert
When Graham Platner dropped out of the Maine Senate race and Eric Swalwell exited California’s Governor’s race over sexual assault allegations, the coverage focused on the campaigns. Ana and Deep sit down with Tracing the Steps founder Kelsey Harbert to ask what the political conversation keeps missing: what about the survivor? Kelsey walks through what actually happens when a survivor comes forward in Colorado. She breaks down Colorado's evidence kit backlog, the Missy Woods scandal where a 29-year senior CBI analyst admitted to deleting DNA, and what has to change under incoming Governor Weiser and AG Griswold. We end with a call to action to support her GoFundMe that’s already raised over $100,000 to process backlog kits. This is what accountability looks like from outside the system.
We're hiring: Left in the Attic is looking for two part-time contract social media roles. Details and application form: https://forms.gle/okrxKoBXzwCvHLv4A
Kelsey's GoFundMe: Tell Jared Polis to Fund Colorado's Rape Kit Backlog: https://www.gofundme.com/f/wy53b7
Resources for survivors: National SA Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). Blue Bench Denver: 303-322-7273. Colorado Coalition Against SA (CCASA): ccasa.org
Watch out for Advance Colorado and West Group signature collectors: read before you sign!
00:00 But What About The Survivor?
00:48 Rentell Sponsor Read
01:37 Meet Kelsey Harbert
02:41 From Wiley To Manhattan
04:36 Building Tracing The Steps
07:25 Fired For Testifying
10:29 Platner, Swalwell, And The Vetting Problem
12:43 Two And A Half Hours To A SANE Nurse
14:58 Why CODIS Matters
17:59 The Survivor Gets The Bill
19:27 Colorado's Kit Backlog Exposed
23:54 When Delayed Evidence Goes Stale
26:28 Polis Is The Only Boss
27:58 1,400 Kits Waiting
29:37 Meet Missy Woods
30:58 29 Years Of Deleted Evidence
32:34 The State Won't Retest Her Work
35:54 What Weiser And Griswold Have To Do
40:13 The Report Sitting On A Shelf
44:43 How Campaigns Should Vet Candidates
49:53 $100,000 From Strangers On The Internet
53:10 Wrap And Subscribe
Meet Your Hosts
Ana Mitchell, Ph.D., is a former CDC scientist who was swept up in federal cuts and is now reinventing herself as a civic coach and creator. After a decade reducing disparities in health and education, she’s building Civically Fit (see civicallyfit.org) to make civic engagement accessible, authentic, and sustainable. A proud Latina and Colorado native, Ana is focused on helping people build community and power through everyday civic action.
Deep Singh Badhesha is an attorney, political strategist, and government affairs professional with over a decade of experience shaping political campaigns and policy in Colorado. A former public school math teacher, Colorado Supreme Court clerk, and senior policy analyst, he now works across campaigns, ballot initiatives, and legislative fights. He’s South Asian, a new dad, and a longtime organizer who believes community—not saviors—will rebuild the Left. He also has way too many hot takes on everything stemming from food and sports to politics.
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