SB 18-015

Senate Bill 18-015, also known as "Protecting Homeowners And Deployed Military," allows homeowners or their authorized representatives to ask law enforcement to remove people from a property if the homeowner believes those individuals don't have the right to be there. The bill ensures that the person being removed gets a chance to prove they are allowed on the property before any action is taken by the police. It also holds the homeowner responsible for providing accurate information and protects the police from legal consequences if they act based on this declaration. This law has been signed into effect, meaning it is now active and enforceable in Colorado.

Official Summary

The bill directs a peace officer to remove a person from a residential premises and to order the person to remain off the premises if the owner or owner's authorized agent (declarant) swears to a declaration making specified statements concerning ownership of the premises and the lack of authority for the person or persons who are on the premises to be there. The peace officer must allow the person a reasonable opportunity to obtain evidence of his or her authority to be on the premises. A declarant: Agrees to indemnify a peace officer and his or her agency for acts and omissions made in reliance upon the declaration; and Is liable for actual damages, attorney fees, and costs for any false statements made in the declaration. If the declaration includes a statement that the property has been altered or damaged, or if the peace officer sees evidence of alteration or damage, the peace officer shall collect the personal information of the persons removed and provide it to the declarant. A person removed from the property pursuant to the bill who alters or damages the property is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More

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