Sounds like it was standard politician stupidfu*kery:

West Side Story “kind of released this sense that switchblades were what was bringing in Sharks and Jets, and that we would prevent gang activity if we outlawed these,” said bill co-sponsor state Sen. Owen Hill, a Republican who argues that Colorado’s law is outdated and widely ignored.
http://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/27...ade-knife-ban/