SB 23-249

Senate Bill 23-249, which was recently signed into law in Colorado, makes it a criminal offense to falsely report an emergency like a mass shooting or active shooter situation. If such false reports cause evacuations, shelter-in-place orders, disruptions to regular activities, or the initiation of standard response protocols, they can be punished as either a class 6 felony or a class 1 misdemeanor depending on the severity and impact. The law also considers bias-motivated false reporting as part of the state’s Victim Rights Act. This bill is now in effect, meaning that anyone who makes such false reports could face serious legal consequences starting from June 7, 2023.

Official Summary

The act adds that the false reporting of a mass shooting or active shooter in a public or private place or vehicle that transports people or property that causes the occupants of a building, place of assembly, or facility of public transportation to be evacuated or to be issued a shelter-in-place order; causing any disruptions or impacts to regular activities; or resulting in the initiation of a standard response protocol is a class 6 felony. The act specifies that false reporting of an emergency is a class 1 misdemeanor if the threat causes the occupants of a building, place of assembly, or facility to be issued a shelter-in-place order, the threat causes any disruptions or impacts to regular activities, or the threat results in the initiation of a standard response protocol in response to the false report. The act adds to the "Victim Rights Act" that a crime includes the false reporting of an emergency that is bias motivated. APPROVED by Governor June 7, 2023 EFFECTIVE June 7, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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