Rep. Sheila Lieder

Maddy summarySB 13 removes cohabitation (living together as a couple) from the legal definition of bigamy in Colorado. It changes the law so that merely living with someone else without a formal marriage or civil union no longer constitutes bigamy. The bill specifically amends Colorado's bigamy statute to delete "cohabits" as a potential element and repeals the definition of "cohabitation" in the law. This change directly affects individuals living together without marriage, ensuring they cannot be charged with bigamy solely based on their living arrangement.

Under current law, a person may be arrested and detained for level 1 drug misdemeanor possession.     The act requires that when a colorimetric field drug test was used to test for the presence of a controlled substance and a person is solely suspected of a level 1 drug misdemeanor for possession or solely suspected of a municipal drug possession charge, a peace officer shall not arrest the person and instead shall issue a summons.     The act also requires that when a colorimetric field drug test was used, before accepting a plea from a person charged with a drug possession for level 4 drug felony possession and lower, the trial court is required to issue an advisement with specified language, including language stating that colorimetric field drug tests have known error rates and that the defendant has the right to enter a not guilty plea and to request drug testing from an accredited forensic laboratory.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Maddy summaryThis House Memorial honors the life and service of former Colorado Representative Carl Miller, who passed away in August 2025. The document formally recognizes his contributions to Colorado through his work in local government, the mining industry, and public service, including his role in establishing the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum. It extends condolences to Miller's family and pays tribute to his dedication to his community and state during his career as a state representative and public utility commissioner.

Previously, money in the diseased livestock indemnity fund could be used only to pay indemnity to a livestock owner whose herd had been sold for slaughter or destroyed because the herd was exposed to or diagnosed with an infectious or contagious disease. The act expands the permissible uses of the money in the diseased livestock indemnity fund by allowing the commissioner of agriculture to authorize using the money to prepare for and respond to certain emerging threats to livestock health.     The act renames the fund the 'livestock health preparedness, response, and diseased livestock indemnity fund' to reflect the expanded scope of the permissible uses of money in the fund.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

The act modifies the Colorado agricultural future loan program (program) to permit certain eligible entities to receive funding from the program. An eligible entity is defined as an entity that is certified by the division of conservation (division) or an entity that:Is a district that has authority to conduct water activities, an irrigation district, or a ditch and reservoir company; andHas a letter of support from an entity certified by the division.     The act directs the commissioner of agriculture to adopt rules that prioritize awarding loans to eligible entities that seek to acquire and conserve agriculturally productive land and to transfer ownership of that land to an eligible farmer or rancher who qualifies for a loan from the program.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Maddy summaryThis bill reappoints Kerri L. Hunter as Colorado's State Auditor for a five-year term from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2031. The reappointment follows a unanimous recommendation from the Legislative Audit Committee, which reviews candidates for the position based on qualifications and experience. Under Colorado law, the General Assembly appoints the State Auditor, and this resolution formally approves Hunter's continued service after her initial term ended in 2026. The measure directly affects the State Auditor's office by extending its leadership while maintaining the existing appointment process.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 8, 2026, as International Women's Day in Colorado and acknowledges the historical and ongoing contributions of women to society. It recognizes women's achievements across various fields, including politics, business, and social movements, while highlighting Colorado's early history of women's suffrage and female leadership in state government. The resolution encourages continued celebration of this day and commits the legislature to supporting policies that promote gender equality and women's empowerment.

The bill prohibits local and state law enforcement officers from concealing their identity while interacting with the public, with certain exceptions.The bill clarifies state criminal jurisdiction to cover criminal conduct committed by a federal law enforcement officer in the state, even if the officer was acting under color of federal authority. Federal criminal immunity or defense from prosecution does not prohibit state criminal prosecution of a federal law enforcement officer.The bill requires the peace officer standards and training board (P.O.S.T. board) to deny certification to an individual who has previously been employed or who is currently employed by the United States immigration and customs enforcement agency or the United States customs and border protection agency.The bill requires the P.O.S.T. board to prescribe a training for all current and future peace officers regarding immigration law, a peace officer's duty to intervene, excessive force policies, and a peace officer's jurisdictional limit.A peace officer is required to intervene to prevent a federal law enforcement officer from using excessive force.The bill expands the conduct that can constitute the crime of impersonating a peace officer to include a person performing a law enforcement act while concealing the person's identity.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Maddy summaryThis bill approves specific updates to eligibility lists for two Colorado water funding programs. It adds new drinking water projects (like Delta County's distribution system) and modifies existing entries (such as adding "green infrastructure" to Loveland's project), while deleting completed projects (like Kiowa's). These changes determine which local water districts, municipalities, and property associations can access financial assistance from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund and Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund. The bill does not create new funding rules but formally adopts the Commission's proposed list adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution expresses Colorado's legislative support for maintaining national public lands under federal stewardship and opposes efforts that would reduce public access or weaken environmental review laws. The resolution specifically targets potential erosion of bedrock federal laws like NEPA and FLPMA, which require public input and balanced resource management. It calls on state and federal officials to defend statutory safeguards that ensure public lands serve broad public benefits rather than narrow special interests. This non-binding resolution does not change any laws but serves as a formal statement of legislative intent and values regarding public land management.