HB 1138 Colorado House · 2026 Regular Session

Retail Theft Prevention Program

Summary

The act creates the retail theft prevention advisory board (advisory board) in the division of criminal justice in the department of public safety (division). The advisory board shall develop procedures related to applying for a grant for the retail theft prevention grant program created in the act; review grant applications and award grants; collect and analyze data related to organized felony-level retail theft and gift card fraud trends, losses, prosecutions, and outcomes in Colorado; and develop policy recommendations in coordination with state and federal partners on how to combat felony-level retail theft and gift card fraud. The act creates the retail theft prevention grant program in the division. A state or local law enforcement agency, district attorney's office, multijurisdictional or regional task force, or tribal law enforcement agency may apply for a grant, which may be used to investigate and prosecute organized felony-level retail theft or gift card fraud; develop or invest in technology, data-sharing systems, and analytics tools to analyze felony-level retail theft and gift card fraud metrics; provide training and technical assistance to retailers or law enforcement agencies; and develop prevention and deterrence initiatives specific to felony-level retail theft and gift card fraud. Beginning January 2028, the act requires the division to annually report during its 'SMART Act' hearing certain information about the retail theft prevention grant program and felony-level retail theft in Colorado. The act extends the crime prevention through safer streets grant program (safer streets grant program) to November 1, 2029, and makes the retail theft prevention grant program an allowable use of the money appropriated for the safer streets grant program. On July 1, 2027, $200,000 of the unexpended and unencumbered money remaining at the end of the 2026-27 state fiscal year from the money appropriated for the safer streets grant program reverts to the general fund.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

House Passage

Jun 2026

Senate Passage

Jun 2026

Signed into Law

Jun 2026

Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Signed Jun 3, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 5 comparisons

What changed between versions

Rerevised → Final Act · 5 edits · Jun 2, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was updated from a 'Rerevised' draft to a 'Final Act' version, incorporating specific amendments to establish a Retail Theft Prevention Advisory Board and a grant program within the Division of Criminal Justice. The changes formalize the board's composition by adding specific voting members representing local law enforcement, the public defender, and local government, alongside non-voting industry representatives. The final text also clarifies the board's duties, including setting grant deadlines and awarding funds to investigate organized retail theft and gift card fraud.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include a broader range of stakeholders in the advisory board, specifically adding voting seats for local law enforcement, the public defender, and local government, while retaining non-voting seats for retailer representatives.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific voting members to the advisory board, including representatives for local law enforcement, the public defender, and local government.

Added non-voting advisory members representing large retailers, small retailers, and nonprofit retailers.

TIMELINE

Set a specific deadline for board appointments by September 1, 2026, and the first meeting by November 1, 2026.

DEFINITION

Formally defined key terms such as 'Eligible Entity' and 'Felony-Level Retail Theft' to clarify who can apply for grants and what crimes are covered.

FISCAL

Established the grant program's funding sources and allowed funds to be used for investigation, technology, training, and prevention initiatives.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 3, 2026

Signed into law

Governor Signed

executive

Jun 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by the President of the Senate

upper

Jun 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by the Speaker of the House

lower

May 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

upper

May 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole

upper

May 11, 2026

Introduced

Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary

upper

May 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

lower

May 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole

lower

Mar 24, 2026

Committee

House Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to Appropriations

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Introduced

Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary

lower

4 primary · 30 co-sponsors