News

2025 Stories of Innocence Gala

Erin Calkins — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 21:28:47 +0000

2025 Stories of Innocence Gala Erin Calkins Wed, 07/23/2025 - 15:28

Ticket sales are LIVE! Purchase tickets and sponsorships here

Sponsorship Levels

Exoneration Sponsor - $15,000

Acknowledgement on invitation and all marketing about event.
Acknowledgment of sponsorship by auctioneer during live auction at event.
Acknowledgement of sponsorship, with top billing, on video screen scrolling during event.
Acknowledgement of sponsorship on KWIP website.
Acknowledgement of sponsorship on KWIP’s Facebook and Instagram.
Full-page size logo in Event Program distributed to all attendees.
Presentation (for CLE credit, DEI or Ethics) with exoneree at your firm or office.
10 tickets to the event.
FMV: $1050

Innocence Sponsor - $10,000

Acknowledgment of sponsorship by auctioneer during live auction at event.
Acknowledgement of sponsorship on video screen scrolling during event.
Acknowledgement of sponsorship on KWIP website.
Acknowledgement of sponsorship on KWIP’s Facebook and Instagram.
Half-page sized logo in Event Program distributed to all attendees.
Presentation (for CLE credit, DEI or Ethics) at your firm or office.
8 tickets to the event.
FMV: $850

Justice Sponsor - $7,500

Acknowledgement of sponsorship on video screen scrolling during event.
Acknowledgement of sponsorship on KWIP website.
Acknowledgement of sponsorship on KWIP’s Facebook and Instagram.
Quarter-page sized logo in Event Program distributed to all attendees.
6 tickets to event.
FMV: $600

Freedom Sponsor - $5,000

Acknowledgement of sponsorship on video screen scrolling during event.
Acknowledgement of sponsorship on KWIP website.
Acknowledgement of sponsorship on KWIP’s Facebook and Instagram.
Quarter-page sized logo in Event Program distributed to all attendees.
4 tickets to event.
FMV: $400

Advocate Sponsor - $2,500

Acknowledgement of sponsorship on video screen scrolling during event.
Acknowledgement of sponsorship on KWIP website.
Acknowledgement of sponsorship on KWIP’s Facebook and Instagram.
Logo included in Event Program distributed to all attendees.
2 tickets to event.
FMV: $200

Artist Sponsor - $3,000

This is a unique sponsorship opportunity that involves paying our incarcerated artists directly for their work. Please inquire with us if you’re interested in participating in this unique sponsorship opportunity.
Acknowledgement of sponsorship on video screen scrolling during event.
Acknowledgement of sponsorship on KWIP website.
Acknowledgement of sponsorship on KWIP’s Facebook and Instagram.
Quarter-page sized logo in Event Program distributed to all attendees.
4 tickets to event.
FMV: $400

Please email erin.calkins@colorado.edu to reserve your sponsorship package today!

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Proposed House Bill 1275

Erin Calkins — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 20:52:53 +0000

Proposed House Bill 1275 Erin Calkins Thu, 02/27/2025 - 13:52

Colorado lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan proposal aimed at tackling the fallout from the misconduct of former Colorado Bureau of Investigation forensic scientist Yvonne “Missy” Woods. The CBI has found that Woods manipulated tests results in hundreds of cases.

The proposed House Bill 1275 seeks to bring transparency and accountability to the state’s DNA testing labs by not only preventing future misconduct, but also investigating past errors—specifically those stemming from Woods' actions—and ensuring that those wrongfully convicted are notified.

At KWIP we understand the deep harm caused when faulty forensic work leads to wrongful convictions. But this isn’t just about those who’ve been unjustly imprisoned—it’s also about the victims and their families. Missy Woods' misconduct undermines the trust in our legal system, which affects the victims seeking closure and those wrongfully convicted who still carry the weight of a crime they didn’t commit.

By supporting HB 1275, the “Colorado Forensic Science Integrity Act,” we’re fighting for a system that works for everyone—where the innocent are exonerated, and the voices of victims and their families are heard. As our staff attorney Jud Lohnes says, "When an innocent person is convicted, we all lose."

It’s time to rebuild trust, stand up for those who’ve been silenced and fight for a legal system that works for everyone.

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Thank you to our 2024 Gala Sponsors!

Erin Calkins — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 16:48:25 +0000

Thank you to our 2024 Gala Sponsors! Erin Calkins Wed, 01/22/2025 - 09:48

Thank you to our 2024 Faces of Innocence Gala sponsors!

Without you, we could not continue to do this work. Thank you for your dedicated support.

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Gala Tickets and Sponsorship Packages are now LIVE!

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 20:27:27 +0000

Gala Tickets and Sponsorship Packages are now LIVE! Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 07/12/2024 - 14:27

We have exciting news – tickets and sponsorship packages for KWIP’s Faces of Innocence Gala are officially LIVE!

Secure your sponsorship package or event ticket early! With limited availability, we strongly encourage you to plan ahead for this unforgettable evening. Join us at the Four Seasons Hotel on October 17 for what promises to be our most impactful gala yet.

Expect an evening filled with drinks, a plated dinner, inspirational speakers, captivating programming, and an exhibit featuring artwork from incarcerated artists. Plus, don’t miss out on our thrilling live auction!

We rely on supporters and donors like you to empower KWIP and drive our mission forward. Let’s unite to create an even greater impact together!

Purchase your tickets and sponshorship packages today!

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Save the Date for our annual Faces of Innocence Gala!

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 19:25:18 +0000

Save the Date for our annual Faces of Innocence Gala! Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 06/10/2024 - 13:25

Save the Date for KWIP's Faces of Innocence Gala!

October 17, 2024 from 6-10pm at the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel in Denver, CO.

Interested in sponsoring this event? Sponsorship opportunities are still available, please contact erin.calkins@colorado.edu for more information.

Tickets will be on sale soon, stay tuned!

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Thank You to our 2023 Gala Sponsors

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 21:14:55 +0000

Thank You to our 2023 Gala Sponsors Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 04/26/2024 - 15:14

Thank you to our 2023 Platinum, Gold, and Silver Gala Sponsors:

Stimson LaBranche Hubbard

Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti

Fisher & Byrialsen

Haddon Morgan and Foreman

Magellan Development Group

Thank you to our 2023 Platinum, Gold, and Silver Gala Sponsors

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KWIP's first bill signed into law

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 01:25:39 +0000

KWIP's first bill signed into law Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 01/27/2022 - 18:25

A new Colorado law, drafted by KWIP attorneys, modernizes Colorado's post-conviction DNA testing statute, making it easier for the wrongfully convicted to get the DNA testing they need to prove their innocence.

Colorado's old statute imposed too high a bar to obtain DNA testing and has kept innocent people behind bars. By improving the statute, KWIP hopes to create more avenues for relief in order to bring our innocent clients home.

The bill won bipartisan support in both the Colorado House of Representatives and the Colorado Senate. Indeed, it was approved unanimously in both chambers and was signed into law by Governor Polis on March 10, 2023.

This legislative success was the result of a lot of hard work. KWIP engaged with stakeholders throughout the process and received the support of the Colorado District Attorneys Council and the Attorney General’s Office.

At hearings before the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, KWIP made sure to prioritize the voices of directly-impacted people. Robert “Rider” Dewey, one of just three people exonerated by DNA testing in Colorado, explained to legislators that he initially petitioned for testing under the 2003 statute and was denied. Mr. Dewey’s story epitomized the need for our proposed changes to the statute, and he brought to life the human toll of wrongful convictions. Ray Krone also testified about how DNA testing saved his life after he was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death in Arizona.

Anne-Marie Moyes, Executive Director at KWIP, Jeanne Segil, Policy Director at KWIP, and Jemil Kassahun, KWIP student volunteer and 2L at Colorado Law, also testified before the Judiciary Committee. A number of legislators approached us afterwards and thanked us for our impactful presentation.

All of us at KWIP are excited to change the legal landscape and reduce barriers for our clients to access DNA testing. In addition, we have developed lasting partnerships and built trust with important stakeholders. We know that this is just the beginning for KWIP’s policy efforts.

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KWIP client Deborah Nicholls featured on Wrongful Convictions podcast

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 03:55:37 +0000

KWIP client Deborah Nicholls featured on Wrongful Convictions podcast Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 12/07/2021 - 20:55

In 2003, Deborah (Deb) and Tim Nicholls lost their three young children in a tragic house fire. Four years later, both Deb and Tim were wrongfully convicted of deliberately setting the fire. The prosecution's case rested on flawed fire science, a discredited expert, and a notorious jailhouse snitch. Today, nationally renowned experts in fire science all agree that there is absolutely no evidence of arson.

KWIP and co-counsel Janene McCabe are representing Deb in post-conviction proceedings. In October 2022, we filed a 93-page post-conviction motion that explains how fire science has evolved since the time of trial and why there is no longer any credible evidence of arson.

Deb's story was recently featured on the popular podcast Wrongful Convictions. The host Maggie Freleng interviewed Deb as well as KWIP staff. Here's the link to the episode released in February 2023: https://lavaforgood.com/podcast/331-maggie-freleng-with-deborah-nicholls/

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KWIP reviewing cases involving discredited forensic discipline of hair microscopy

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 03:52:27 +0000

KWIP reviewing cases involving discredited forensic discipline of hair microscopy Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 12/07/2021 - 20:52

In 2021, KWIP and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) announced a partnership to review Colorado cases involving the discredited forensic discipline of hair microscopy. Before the advent of DNA technology, analysts would use hair microscopy to visually compare hairs from a crime scene with sample hairs from a suspect. They would then reach a probabilistic conclusion about whether the hairs came from the same source.

Once DNA testing was developed as a forensic tool, it showed that hair microscopy was wholly unreliable. The FBI conducted a review of thousands of cases where FBI analysts performed hair microscopy. And, the FBI encouraged state crime laboratories to conduct similar audits of their own hair microscopy work.

Jud Lohnes joined KWIP in May 2022 to manage our review of hair microscopy cases. Fortunately for people convicted based on this faulty science, new DNA testing offers a potential path to exoneration. If the crime scene hairs are still available, they can now be subject to DNA testing.

For more information about KWIP's hair microscopy review, see this article from the Daily Camera.

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KWIP offers support for bill that prohibits police from lying to children during interrogations.

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 17:07:17 +0000

KWIP offers support for bill that prohibits police from lying to children during interrogations. Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 10/18/2021 - 11:07

In the 2023 legislative session, KWIP offered critical support for a bill that discourages police from lying to children during interrogations.

Children are three times more likely to falsely confess to crimes than adults. Children are particularly vulnerable and they should be protected. According to the National Registry of Exonerations, over the past quarter century, 38% of children who have been wrongfully convicted nationwide gave a false confession to police.

Governor Polis signed the bill into law in May 2023. See this op-ed from KWIP's Policy Director Jeanne Segil for more about this important new law that will prevent false confessions by children and the wrongful convictions that follow.

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