Rep. Michael Carter

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.

Maddy summarySJR 11 is a commemorative resolution designating a specific segment of U.S. Highway 34 (between Wilson Ave. and North County Rd. 23H) as the "Sgt. John 'Jack' Thurman Memorial Highway" in honor of a World War II Marine Corps veteran. The bill, which has no policy or funding provisions, simply names the highway section to recognize Sergeant Thurman's service at Iwo Jima, his military awards, and his post-war contributions as an architect and community leader in Colorado. It authorizes the Colorado Department of Transportation to accept donations for signage and explore maintenance agreements with local governments. This is a ceremonial designation with no direct impact on residents or new laws.

The bill makes the following changes to the "Colorado Open Records Act" (CORA):Excludes from the definition of a "public record" a written document or electronic record that is produced by a device or application that is used to assist an individual with a disability or individuals with language barriers to facilitate communication if the written document or electronic record has been produced to facilitate communication in lieu of verbal communication;Requires a public entity to post any rules or policies adopted pursuant to CORA, including any records retention policy, and to post information for members of the public regarding how to make a public records request; Changes the reasonable time to respond to a CORA request from 3 to 5 working days and changes the extension of time for the response period if extenuating circumstances exist from not exceeding 7 additional days to not exceeding 10 additional days;Adds an extenuating circumstance that allows extension of the response period when the custodian is not scheduled to work within the response period;If public records are in the sole and exclusive custody and control of a person who is not scheduled to work within the response period, requires a custodian to provide all other available responsive public records within the response period and to notify the requester of the earliest date on which the person is expected to be available or that the person is not expected to return. The requester may make a subsequent request for additional responsive records, if any, on or after the date the custodian provides.Allows a custodian to determine that a request, other than a request for a contract or other information delivered using computer data extraction methods that require minimal human intervention for retrieval, is made for the direct solicitation of business for pecuniary gain and provides a 30-day response period for such request; requires the custodian to provide written notice of the custodian's determination to the requester and permits the requester to appeal the determination to the district court; and allows a custodian to charge the requester for the reasonable cost of directly responding to the request notwithstanding the allowance for the first hour of research and retrieval to be free of charge and notwithstanding the statutory cap on fees which otherwise would apply;In addition to the prohibition on disclosing public elementary or secondary school students' addresses and telephone numbers, prohibits disclosure of any other student information that could be used to directly contact, address, or send a message to a student through any means or method;Allows a requester to ask a custodian for a reasonable breakdown of costs that comprise the fee charged for the research and retrieval of requested public records and requires a custodian to provide such a breakdown upon request;Clarifies that the custodian of records for a public entity must allow a requester to pay any fee or deposit associated with a request for public records with a credit card or electronic payment if the public entity allows members of the public to pay in this manner for any other service or product provided by the public entity;Allows a custodian to treat a CORA request received within 14 calendar days of another CORA request for information pertaining to facially similar content and made by the same person as one request for purposes of calculating the fee that the custodian may charge the requester for research and retrieval of responsive public records;Requires a custodian who fails to respond to a request for inspection within the applicable time period to provide the requester with one additional hour of research and retrieval time without charge for each calendar day that the response is late; andClarifies that if a custodian imposes any requirements concerning the prepayment or payment of a fee in connection with a request for inspection of public records, the requirements must be in accordance with the custodian's adopted rules or written policies and must not be inconsistent with the provisions of CORA.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Maddy summaryThis House Memorial (HM 1001) is a formal tribute passed by the Colorado General Assembly honoring former State Representative Dan Williams, who died in October 2025. It recognizes his 1984-1992 service in the Colorado House, his leadership as chair of key committees (including Agriculture and Transportation), and his lifelong advocacy for Colorado ranching and farming communities. The resolution expresses the legislature's condolences to his family and sends copies of the memorial to his partner and children. It has no policy impact, as it is purely a commemorative gesture with no new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryHJR 1018 designates the 61-mile stretch of State Highway 86 through Elbert County, Colorado, as the "Plains-to-Pines Scenic Corridor." The resolution authorizes the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to accept donations for signage, markers, and landscaping to promote this scenic route connecting the eastern plains to the Rocky Mountain foothills. It specifically enables CDOT to collaborate with Elbert County and the towns of Kiowa and Elizabeth for maintenance of these promotional elements. This is a commemorative designation without new regulatory requirements, focusing on tourism and regional identity.

Maddy summarySJR 14 is a symbolic resolution declaring February 28, 2026, as "Rare Disease Day" in Colorado. It recognizes over 500,000 Coloradans living with rare diseases - conditions affecting fewer than 200,000 people - and highlights challenges like limited treatments and high costs. The resolution encourages public awareness through events (like lighting Denver's City and County Building) and acknowledges the resilience of affected individuals. It does not create new laws, funding, or services, but formally supports the rare disease community through recognition.

Maddy summarySJR 13 is a symbolic resolution recognizing February 26, 2026, as "Youth Mental Health Action Day" in Colorado. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but formally honors pediatric health-care providers working to support youth mental health. The resolution cites Colorado's high rates of youth mental health challenges (including suicide being a leading cause of death for children under 18) and emphasizes collaboration with providers, agencies, and communities. It commits the General Assembly to "promoting child and youth well-being" through existing mental health system efforts. This is a non-binding recognition, not a policy change.

Maddy summarySJR 10 is a symbolic resolution celebrating Lunar New Year 2026 in Colorado, not a new law. It formally recognizes the cultural significance of Lunar New Year and honors Asian American contributions to the state, building on Colorado’s existing 2024 observed holiday (established by HB 23-1271). The resolution urges Coloradans to attend community events and acknowledges the holiday’s historical roots and global celebration by over two billion people. It has no direct policy impact or legal effect, as it serves purely ceremonial and commemorative purposes.