Colorado 2025 Bills

Name Change to Conform with Gender Identity

House Bill 24-1071, which has been signed into law and is now effective, allows people with felony convictions in Colorado to change their names to better reflect their gender identity. The bill requires these individuals to provide public notice of their name change request if it's related to aligning their name with their gender identity. This new law affects anyone who needs to change their name due to a felony conviction and wants the change to match their gender identity, making the process more inclusive and accessible for them.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Additional PERA Service Retirees for Schools

House Bill 24-1044, which has been approved by the governor and will take effect on July 1, 2024, allows Colorado schools and universities to hire more retired educators as part-time or full-time staff without reducing their retirement benefits. Schools with over 10,000 students can hire additional retired teachers based on student enrollment numbers, while smaller schools are limited to hiring up to ten retired educators. This bill aims to address staffing shortages by allowing these retirees to work for up to six consecutive years after retiring.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Streamline Filing Sales & Use Tax Returns

House Bill 24-1041, which has been approved by the Governor and will take effect on August 7, 2024, simplifies tax filing for small businesses in Colorado. It allows businesses that collect less than $600 in sales and use taxes per month to file their returns quarterly instead of monthly, reducing their administrative burden. Additionally, it restricts local governments from collecting state-level sales and use taxes from out-of-state retailers unless those retailers choose to do so voluntarily or through a special agreement. The bill also allocates funding for the Department of Revenue to implement these changes.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Authorize Conservancy District Water Management

Senate Bill 24-038, which has been signed into law, allows conservancy districts in Colorado to manage water not just for agricultural, municipal, and industrial uses but also for commercial purposes. This means that these districts can now plan and contract with both local and out-of-area businesses for water services, create government-run water enterprises, and sell or lease water rights to various entities. The bill also enables conservancy district boards to seek financial support from federal, state, and local governments and to establish self-funded business ventures without being restricted by certain constitutional limits on taxation. This law affects anyone involved in water management and commercial activities that rely on water resources in Colorado.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · Senate

Prohibit Algorithmic Devices Used for Rent Setting

House Bill 24-1057, which has been signed into law, bans landlords from using algorithms to set rent prices for their properties. This means that landlords can no longer rely on automated systems or data from other landlords to determine how much rent to charge tenants. Violating this rule is considered an unfair practice and could lead to penalties under Colorado’s consumer protection laws. This affects both landlords who use such technology and the tenants they lease to, ensuring more transparency in rental pricing.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Exemption for Children's Products

House Bill 24-1027, which has been signed into law, exempts certain baby and toddler products from sales tax starting January 1, 2025. This includes items like cribs, strollers, safety gates, clothing, and more. Additionally, the bill creates two annual sales tax holidays for back-to-school items: one in early January and another in late July, where specific school supplies and clothes are exempt from taxes up to certain price limits. Since it has been signed, this law will go into effect as planned, benefiting families with young children and those preparing for the new school year.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Criminal and Juvenile Justice System Process Study

Senate Bill 24-027 requires the Colorado Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Justice to study how people move through the criminal and juvenile justice systems, including looking at sentences and alternative sentencing programs. The division will hire an outside entity to help with this study and must submit a report on their findings by June 30, 2025, to specific legislative committees. This bill has been signed into law but is still in the early stages of implementation since it was recently introduced in the Senate.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · Senate

Implement Fertility Coverage for Health Plans

House Bill 24-1025, which has been signed into law, requires health plans in Colorado to cover fertility services starting January 1, 2025. This means that insurance companies must provide coverage for diagnosing and treating infertility as well as preserving fertility options without placing any restrictions based on a person's use of these services for others. The bill also updates the definition of "infertility" to include it as a status similar to a disease or condition, ensuring broader eligibility for coverage. This law will affect individuals seeking fertility treatments and their insurance providers.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Licensed Professional Counselors in Communities

Senate Bill 24-015 aims to increase the number of licensed professional counselors in Colorado communities by offering financial support. It provides reimbursement for school counselors who are working towards becoming licensed professional counselors, covering both their supervision costs and exam fees. The bill requires a nonprofit organization with relevant experience to manage this program and track its progress, ensuring that data on participation is reported annually to the state legislature. Since it has been signed into law, the program can now be implemented to help more school counselors obtain dual licensure as professional counselors.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · Senate

Deceptive Trade Practice Significant Impact Standard

House Bill 24-1014, which has been signed into law, changes how unfair or deceptive business practices are treated. Under this new law, if a person is found to have engaged in such practices, it's considered to have a significant impact on the public. This means that actions like misleading advertising or fraudulent sales tactics will be taken more seriously and could lead to stricter consequences. The bill affects businesses and consumers across Colorado by enhancing enforcement against deceptive trade practices. Since the bill has been signed, it is now law and its provisions are enforceable.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Limitation on Actions against Appraisers

House Bill 24-1085, which has been signed into law, sets a clear deadline for when someone can sue a real estate appraiser if they think the appraisal was faulty. Under this new law, people have up to three years from receiving an appraisal report to file a lawsuit against the appraiser. If any issues are discovered after those three years but within five years of getting the report, they then have two more years to take legal action. However, if someone suspects fraud, there's no time limit for when they can sue. This affects anyone who gets an appraisal and might need to challenge it later on. Since the bill has been signed, it is now law in Colorado.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Independent Ethics Commission Jurisdiction

House Bill 24-1073 expands the authority of Colorado's Independent Ethics Commission. Currently, the commission doesn't have power over special district and school district officials or employees when it comes to ethics issues. The bill changes this by allowing the commission to investigate complaints against these individuals, issue penalties if necessary, and provide guidance on ethical behavior based on state constitutional standards. Since the bill has been signed into law, the Independent Ethics Commission now has full jurisdiction over all public officials and employees in Colorado regarding ethics matters.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Prohibit Residential Occupancy Limits

House Bill 24-1007, which has been approved by the governor and will take effect on July 1, 2024, stops local governments in Colorado from setting limits on how many people can live together in a home based solely on their family relationships. However, these local governments are still allowed to set occupancy limits if they are necessary for health and safety reasons or to follow guidelines related to affordable housing programs. This bill affects residents who might have been restricted by previous local regulations about the number of family members living together in one house.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Adjusting Certain Tax Expenditures

House Bill 24-1036, which has been approved by the governor and will take effect on August 7, 2024, removes several tax breaks that are not widely used in Colorado. These include deductions for catastrophic health insurance, disaster relief workers, medical savings accounts, and others. The bill also makes some changes to existing tax credits and exemptions, such as increasing the amount of certain healthcare-related tax credits and extending deadlines for claiming some credits. This affects individuals and businesses who previously benefited from these tax breaks or credits. Once effective, those provisions will no longer apply unless otherwise specified in the bill.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Emergency Management Plan Individuals with Animals

HB 24-1033, which has been approved and is now in effect, aims to improve emergency management plans by ensuring they include provisions for people with animals during emergencies. This means local governments will need to consider how to evacuate, shelter, and transport individuals along with their pets when disasters strike. The bill also encourages cities and counties to provide information on animal emergency preparedness and training for emergency responders to better assist those with disabilities and service animals. Essentially, it helps ensure that people who rely on having their animals during emergencies are well-supported by local plans and resources.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Youth Sports Personnel Requirements

HB 24-1080, also known as the Youth Sports Personnel Requirements bill in Colorado, mandates that youth sports organizations and local governments providing youth athletic activities must have at least one adult with current first aid and CPR/AED certification present during all events. Additionally, coaches and chaperones who accompany teams on overnight trips must undergo criminal background checks before they can work with young athletes; this requirement is waived for occasional volunteers not in coaching roles. The bill also stipulates that youth sports organizations cannot hire or approve individuals with certain felony convictions related to child abuse, sexual offenses, or violent crimes. If vetoed by the governor but signed into law anyway, it means the bill's provisions are now enforceable despite the governor’s objections. However, this bill was actually vetoed by Governor Polis on May 17, 2024, so its current status is that it did not become law.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

County Veterans Service Offices Administration

Senate Bill 24-004 changes how the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs oversees local veterans offices by shifting from supervision to monitoring. It also updates how state funds are distributed to counties for veteran services and requires county commissioners to work with the department to develop a new funding method. The bill mandates that appointed county veterans service officers must meet specific military qualifications, be state-certified, and accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to represent veterans in benefit claims. This bill was signed into law on March 22, 2024, and will take effect on August 7, 2024.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · Senate

Remuneration-Exempt Identifying Placards

Senate Bill 24-019 in Colorado updates the rules for individuals with remuneration-exempt identifying placards, allowing them to park for free at various types of parking devices and lots. The bill increases the limit on these placards from one to two per person and clarifies that having these placards doesn’t affect the number of disability plates or placards someone can get. This new law will take effect on November 1, 2024, after being signed by the governor.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · Senate

Exempt Small Communities from HOA Requirements

Senate Bill 24-021 in Colorado exempts small cooperatives and planned communities from most homeowners' association (HOA) requirements if they have no more than 20 units or are restricted to nonresidential use. The bill also allows these smaller communities to opt out of the exemption if they choose to follow all HOA rules. This change affects small community associations that existed after July 1, 1992. The bill has been signed into law and will take effect on August 7, 2024, meaning these communities will soon have new options regarding their compliance with HOA regulations.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · Senate

Health Insurers Contract with Qualified Providers

HB 24-1005, a Colorado bill that has been signed into law, requires health insurance companies to include primary care providers who meet certain qualifications in their networks starting January 1, 2027. These providers must be licensed in Colorado, certified or accredited by national organizations, enrolled in specific payment models, and eligible for Medicaid reimbursement. The bill also sets minimum reimbursement rates for these providers based on the cost of living and includes protections against unfair competition clauses that could prevent doctors from moving to new practices. This will affect both insurance companies and healthcare providers in Colorado, ensuring better access to primary care services for patients.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Dentist & Dental Hygienist Compact

Senate Bill 24-010, known as the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, allows licensed dentists and dental hygienists in participating states to practice temporarily in other compact states without needing a separate license from each state. This makes it easier for dental professionals to provide care across state lines while still being regulated by their home state’s licensing authority. The bill was signed into law and will take effect on August 7, 2024, meaning that once seven states join the compact, dentists and hygienists can start practicing in other member states under this new arrangement.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · Senate

Local Lodging Tax Reporting on Sales Return

Senate Bill 24-024 in Colorado requires local taxing jurisdictions to apply the same reporting requirements for intermediaries (like booking platforms) as they do for marketplace facilitators when it comes to collecting and remitting local lodging taxes. This means that these intermediaries must report tax information in a similar way, but local jurisdictions can't ask for extra information beyond what's needed for tax collection. The bill also restricts when local taxing authorities can audit these platforms, limiting audits to times when they are filing tax returns. It will take effect on January 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor. This impacts booking and accommodation intermediaries as well as local governments responsible for collecting lodging taxes.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · Senate

Reduction of State Income Tax Rate

HB 24-1065, which has been signed into law, reduces the state income tax rate in Colorado. Starting from January 1, 2025, both individuals and corporations will pay a lower tax rate of 4.0% instead of the current 4.40%. This change means that taxpayers and businesses will see their taxes decrease by 0.4 percentage points starting next year. The bill also removes the requirement for a performance statement when making these changes to the tax code, which simplifies the process for future adjustments.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Study Green Infrastructure for Water Quality Management

Senate Bill 24-037, which has been signed into law, requires the University of Colorado and Colorado State University to work with the Department of Public Health and Environment on a study about using green spaces instead of traditional water treatment facilities to improve water quality. The universities will also set up pilot projects around the state to test these methods and explore new ways to fund them. By November 1, 2026, they must submit a report with their findings and recommendations for how Colorado can better use green infrastructure and financing options. This bill is now law and took effect on August 7, 2024.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · Senate

Towing Carrier Regulation

HB 24-1051, also known as the Towing Carrier Regulation bill, aims to strengthen oversight of towing companies in Colorado. It allows the Public Utilities Commission to revoke or suspend permits for towing companies that have committed serious offenses or repeatedly violated towing laws. The bill also requires towing companies to provide detailed financial and operational information and prohibits them from patrolling private property without explicit permission from the owner. Additionally, it clarifies rules around nonconsensual towing and ensures that vehicle owners can retrieve their cars without unnecessary delays or fees. This bill was signed into law by the governor on May 30, 2024, and will take effect on August 7, 2024, meaning its provisions will start to be enforced from that date onwards.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Local Government Disaster-Related Programs

Senate Bill 24-009, titled "Local Government Disaster-Related Programs," helps local governments manage disaster-related programs by creating a pilot program for removing wildfire hazards like fallen trees and branches without burning them. This is managed by the forest service which will choose participating counties based on specific criteria. Additionally, it requires the state’s homeland security division to provide guidance to local governments on how to handle debris removal after disasters, including negotiating terms with federal agencies, creating standard forms for property access, and ensuring safety during cleanup efforts. The bill has been signed into law, meaning these measures are now in effect to support communities dealing with disaster recovery.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · Senate

Substance Use Disorders Harm Reduction

House Bill 24-1037, which has been approved and signed into law in Colorado, aims to support individuals struggling with substance use disorders by making several changes. It removes the requirement for doctors to report injuries related to drug possession or paraphernalia, and it allows people to possess drug-related items like syringes if they are part of a harm reduction program. The bill also provides legal protections for those who distribute opioid antagonists (like Narcan) to help prevent overdoses and clarifies that having these medications alone doesn’t give police reason to search someone without a warrant. Additionally, it allows organizations running clean needle exchange programs to provide other health-related supplies and drug testing services. This law took effect on June 6, 2024, meaning its provisions are now in place and being implemented.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Motor Vehicle Minor Driver Education Standards

House Bill 24-1021, which has been signed into law in Colorado, requires young drivers aged 15 to 18 to complete a 30-hour driver education course before they can get an instruction permit starting January 1, 2027. Those aged 18 and older have the option of taking this course or completing a shorter awareness program. Additionally, anyone under 21 must take a motorcycle safety course before getting a motorcycle permit. The law also sets rules for who can supervise young drivers while they are learning to drive and bans certain convicted individuals from teaching driving lessons to minors. This bill will go into effect on April 1, 2026.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Accessibility for Persons in Child Welfare Matters

HB 24-1031, known as the "Accessibility for Persons in Child Welfare Matters," ensures that children and their families receive services in a language they understand when dealing with Colorado's child welfare system. This includes providing translation and interpretation services during court proceedings if needed. The bill also requires courts to consider language access programs when making decisions about what’s best for the child. It was signed into law by the governor and will take effect on August 7, 2024, meaning that starting from this date, these provisions must be followed by county departments, cities, and private contractors involved in providing services related to child welfare.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Simplify Processes Regarding Certain Local Government Taxes

House Bill 24-1050 simplifies the process for local governments in Colorado by requiring them to integrate certain taxes, like lodging and construction material sales taxes, into building permits and report detailed information about these taxes to the state. This makes it easier for both local governments and businesses to understand and comply with tax requirements. The bill also establishes a task force to explore creating an electronic system for collecting and remitting local lodging taxes, aiming to streamline this process further. Signed by the governor on June 4, 2024, the law is now in effect, meaning local taxing jurisdictions must start following these new reporting rules immediately.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Lodging Property Tax Treatment

Senate Bill 24-033, also known as the Lodging Property Tax Treatment bill, changes how short-term rental properties are taxed in Colorado. Starting from January 1, 2026, if a short-term rental property (like an Airbnb) is used for rentals of less than 30 days and was rented out for more than 90 days last year, it will be classified as lodging property rather than residential property, which could affect its tax rate. The bill also requires owners to confirm the number of days their properties were rented out and sets up a pilot program to track short-term rental units across the state. Since the status is "signed," this means that the governor has approved the bill, making it law.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · Senate

Modernize Health Benefit Exchange Governance

House Bill 24-1035 updates how the Colorado health benefit exchange is managed. It changes the reporting requirements for the exchange's board, making them submit annual reports instead of a single yearly report by January 15th. The bill also requires the exchange to provide financial and operational plans directly to an oversight committee rather than through the board, and mandates that updates on open enrollment be given to specific legislative committees during each session. This bill was signed into law by the governor and will take effect on August 7, 2024. It affects how the health benefit exchange operates and is overseen by state officials and legislators.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Privacy Protections for Children's Online Data

Senate Bill 24-041, also known as "Privacy Protections for Children's Online Data," enhances the Colorado Privacy Act by adding specific protections for minors' data. Starting October 1, 2025, companies that do business in Colorado or target their products and services at Colorado residents must take extra care to avoid risks that could harm children when handling their personal information. These companies are also prohibited from using minors’ data for targeted advertising, selling it, or profiling them without consent, and they cannot collect precise geolocation data unless necessary. The bill was signed into law by the governor on May 31, 2024, meaning these protections will go into effect as scheduled in October 2025.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · Senate

District Attorneys' Salaries

Senate Bill 24-013, which has been signed into law and will take effect on August 7, 2024, increases the minimum salaries for district attorneys and assistant district attorneys in Colorado. Starting July 1, 2026, district attorneys' salaries will be equal to those of full-time district court judges, while assistant district attorneys' salaries will match those of full-time county court judges, with half of that cost covered by the state. This bill affects all district and assistant district attorneys in Colorado, ensuring they receive competitive compensation.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · Senate

Ex-Offenders Practice in Regulated Occupations

HB 24-1004 is a Colorado law that makes it easier for people with criminal records to get licensed for certain jobs. It says that after three years from when someone finishes their sentence or gets convicted, the state can consider whether their past crime affects their ability to do the job safely. However, if the crime isn’t related to the job they want, they won’t be disqualified just because of it. The law also requires licensing agencies to prove why a person’s criminal history would make them unsafe for the job before denying them a license. This bill was signed into law and will start on August 7, 2024.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Social Work Licensure Compact

HB 24-1002, known as the Social Work Licensure Compact, allows social workers licensed in one state that is part of the compact to practice in other member states without needing additional licenses. This bill also enables these professionals to use telehealth services across different states and ensures that disciplinary actions taken by any state are recognized by all others. The bill was signed into law on June 3, 2024, and will take effect on August 7, 2024, making it easier for social workers to provide care across state lines while maintaining professional standards.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Alcohol Beverage Delivery & Takeout

Senate Bill 24-020, which has been approved and will take effect on August 7, 2024, allows businesses that sell alcohol by the drink to continue delivering or allowing customers to take their drinks from the premises after July 1, 2025. However, hotels, restaurants, and taverns must ensure that an employee assists with any takeout or delivery if the alcohol is in a sealed container, unless the business is a lodging establishment. This bill impacts businesses licensed to sell alcoholic beverages and ensures they can continue offering these services beyond the initial deadline.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · Senate

Warrants for Metro Sewage Disposal Districts

House Bill 24-1062, which has been approved by the governor and will take effect on August 7, 2024, allows sewage disposal districts in Colorado to obtain court warrants for inspections when property owners refuse entry. This bill ensures that district inspectors can investigate businesses to make sure they are treating their wastewater properly, protecting public health and the environment. It affects local businesses within these districts and gives more power to inspectors to enforce environmental regulations even if business owners deny them access.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Enactment of CRS 2023

House Bill 24-1020 updates Colorado's laws by officially adopting the Colorado Revised Statutes for 2023, including changes approved by voters in November 2023 and additional updates from a special session. This bill affects everyone in Colorado as it ensures that all current laws are compiled and recognized statewide. The governor signed the bill on February 20, 2024, making it effective immediately on the same day.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Sickle Cell Disease Community Outreach & Services

Senate Bill 24-042, titled "Sickle Cell Disease Community Outreach & Services," establishes a program in Colorado aimed at providing support and resources for individuals with sickle cell disease and their families. The bill requires the Department of Public Health and Environment to work with community-based nonprofit organizations to offer services like counseling, health guidance, and peer support. It allocates $200,000 from the general fund to start this program by January 1, 2025, and it will be in place until July 1, 2030. The bill has been signed into law and is now effective as of June 3, 2024.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · Senate

Providing Veterinary Services Through Telehealth

House Bill 24-1048, which has been signed into law and will take effect on August 7, 2024, allows Colorado veterinarians to provide services through telehealth with their clients' consent. This means that after an initial in-person examination, a veterinarian can use video calls or other digital tools to diagnose and treat animals. The bill also permits licensed vets to refer patients to specialists who can then consult via telemedicine under the original vet’s relationship with the client. It ensures that only veterinarians with established relationships can prescribe medication remotely and sets rules for record-keeping and patient privacy. This change affects pet owners, veterinarians, and veterinary technicians in Colorado by expanding access to remote veterinary care while maintaining professional standards.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Veterinary Technician Scope of Practice

House Bill 24-1047, which has been signed into law and will take effect on August 7, 2024, aims to define the tasks that licensed veterinarians can delegate to veterinary technicians and specialists. It requires the board of veterinary medicine to create rules by September 1, 2025, detailing these tasks and the level of supervision needed. Starting in January 2026, it also allows veterinary technicians to apply for a specialist designation from the board, providing them with title protection and preventing unauthorized practice as specialists. This bill affects veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and animal owners who seek specialized care.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Bill of Rights for Foster Youth

HB 24-1017, also known as the Bill of Rights for Foster Youth in Colorado, establishes a set of rights for children and young people in foster care. These rights will be communicated to each youth who is at least five years old through written notices provided by their county's human or social services department when they first enter foster care, after any changes in placement, and annually thereafter. The bill was signed into law on April 24, 2024, and it will take effect on August 7, 2024, meaning that starting from this date, all eligible youth in Colorado's foster care system will receive these rights notices as required by the new law.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Child Welfare System Tools

House Bill 24-1046, titled "Child Welfare System Tools," aims to improve Colorado's child welfare system by requiring mandatory reporters to include information about domestic and intimate partner violence when reporting suspected abuse or neglect. The bill also mandates the state department of human services to develop a consistent screening process that includes questions about domestic violence and ensures accurate demographic data collection. Additionally, it calls for an audit of risk assessment tools used in child welfare cases by January 15, 2025, focusing on consistency, cultural competency, and impacts on over-represented communities. The bill has been signed into law and is now effective as of May 28, 2024. This means that the requirements outlined in the bill are now legally binding for those involved in reporting and managing child welfare cases in Colorado.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

State Funding for Senior Services

Senate Bill 24-040, titled "State Funding for Senior Services," requires the Department of Human Services and other relevant agencies to review the funding provided for senior services every three years. This review aims to ensure that the money allocated is sufficient to meet the needs of older Coloradans who use these services. The bill was signed into law on May 24, 2024, and it is now effective, meaning that the first review will start no later than August 2024. This legislation impacts senior citizens in Colorado by potentially improving access to necessary services as funding needs are assessed regularly.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · Senate

Persons Detained in Jail on Emergency Commitment

House Bill 24-1079 in Colorado stops police and emergency patrol officers from putting juveniles in jail when they take them into protective custody. Starting July 1, 2024, law enforcement agencies and treatment facilities must report information about people taken into protective custody to the behavioral health administration. This bill also provides funding for the Behavioral Health Administration to handle these new reporting requirements. The governor signed this bill on May 17, 2024, making it official law from that date onwards.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Ballot Access for Candidates with Disabilities

HB 24-1067, titled "Ballot Access for Candidates with Disabilities," ensures that candidates with disabilities can participate in the caucus process or any future ballot access methods. The bill mandates that political parties provide video conferencing options for these events if there's no broadband internet service available at the location. If a location lacks internet, alternative means like telephone conferences must be used to accommodate participants. This law applies to all political parties and ensures they make reasonable efforts to comply with accessibility requirements or face legal consequences for discrimination based on disability. Since it has been signed into law, these provisions are now enforceable in Colorado.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Jail Standards Commission Recommendations

House Bill 24-1054 in Colorado extends the work of a committee that sets standards for county jails until September 1, 2033. Starting July 1, 2026, all county jails must follow these standards, which will be posted online by the committee. The bill also creates an advisory committee to help assess and improve jail conditions, with roles including recommending changes to jail standards and suggesting ways for jails to meet those standards. This new advisory group will start meeting in July 2024 and work closely with the attorney general to ensure compliance. The bill has been signed into law by the governor and is now effective as of June 3, 2024.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House

Pretrial Diversion Programs

Senate Bill 24-006, which has been signed into law and is now effective, aims to help juveniles with intellectual disabilities or mental health issues by offering them pretrial diversion programs instead of formal court proceedings. This means that if a juvenile shows signs of needing support due to behavioral health issues or developmental disabilities, they can be directed towards appropriate services like therapy or counseling rather than facing legal consequences. The bill also allows adults who are found incompetent to stand trial to enter into similar diversion agreements with the approval of both the district attorney and the court, provided they have the ability to participate in these programs. This new law is intended to provide more support for individuals struggling with mental health or developmental challenges rather than punishing them through the traditional justice system.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · Senate

Victim Programs in New Twenty-Third Judicial District

House Bill 24-1013 establishes a new judicial district in Colorado starting January 7, 2025. It also allows two boards—the Crime Victim Compensation Board and the Victims and Witnesses Assistance and Law Enforcement Board—to provide support and services to victims in this new district once it is formed. The bill has been signed into law by the governor and took effect on April 4, 2024, meaning that these victim support programs can start operating as soon as the new judicial district is ready.

Last action: 2024-01-10 · House