Rep. Elizabeth Velasco

The bill prohibits a government entity from accessing a database that reveals an individual's or a vehicle's historical location information, subject to certain exceptions. The bill prohibits a government entity from sharing historical location information with third parties or government agencies outside their jurisdiction, subject to certain exceptions, and makes historical location information not a public record for the purposes of the "Colorado Open Records Act".The bill requires a government entity that collects historical location information to adopt a policy to maintain compliance with the provisions of the regulatory scheme.An enforcement action is created for the attorney general to enforce the provisions of the bill. Historical location information obtained in violation of the prohibitions of the bill are inadmissible in trial.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

The act clarifies that municipal court defendants have a right to counsel and that municipal defense counsel have the same notice requirements, case information, and opportunity to meet with their clients as do state-level defense counsel. Current law prohibits paying indigent municipal defense counsel on a fixed or flat-fee payment structure if the municipality prosecutes domestic violence cases. The act applies the prohibition to all municipalities and allows a flat fee arrangement if the flat fee is the same or higher than a resulting fee based on hourly compensation.     Current law requires municipal court proceedings to be open to public observation. The act requires virtual observation for all in-custody proceedings and prompt resolution of municipal cases.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Under current law, a political party must ensure that any person, upon request, is able to participate in a precinct caucus or a party assembly with the use of a video conferencing platform or alternative means of participation. The failure of any political party to make a reasonable effort to comply with these accessibility requirements constitutes discrimination on the basis of disability in a place of public accommodation.     The act clarifies that only a person who is otherwise eligible pursuant to statute to participate in a precinct caucus or a party assembly may request video conferencing or another alternative means of participation. The act also clarifies that a person who is subjected to a violation of a political party's duties regarding these accessibility requirements may file suit only against the central committee of the political party holding the caucus or assembly. An individual, including a member of the central committee of the political party or a volunteer for a political party, may not be held liable for a violation of these accessibility requirements. Upon a finding of a violation of these accessibility requirements, a court may require compliance with the applicable accessibility requirement and either actual monetary damages or a statutory fine of $3,500 for each violation.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Currently, in a county with a population of 70,000 or more (covered county) , the board of county commissioners (board) may consist of 3 or 5 commissioners. If the board consists of 3 commissioners, the county is divided into 3 districts, with one commissioner elected from each district by voters in the district or voters of the whole county. Alternatively, the board may consist of 5 commissioners, in which case the county may be divided into 3 or 5 districts, and the commissioners may be elected pursuant to numerous methods, including by district, at large, or by some combination of both methods.     The bill eliminates modifies this discretionary system and instead requires any county with a population of 70,000 or more ( so that if a covered county ) to elect has 3 commissioners, the commissioners must be elected by district only by voters resident in those districts. If a covered county has 5 commissioners , the commissioners must be elected by one of the following 2 alternative methods of election :5 commissioners resident in 5 districts elected only by voters resident in those districts (by-district method) ; or 5 3 commissioners elected by district only by voters in those districts and 2 commissioners elected at large using a ranked voting method by voters of the whole county (combination method) .      The board of a covered county that has 3 commissioners must refer a resolution to the electors of the county at the general election during each decennial census year to ask the electors whether they would like to increase the board to 5 commissioners and, if so, which of the two alternative methods of election they prefer for electing those 5 commissioners.      The board of a covered county that has 5 commissioners is required to adopt a resolution designating the 2 alternative methods of electing the 5 county commissioners no later than its first regularly scheduled meeting in the calendar year 2027 . or its first regularly scheduled meeting in the month following becoming a covered county. The board is required to refer the resolution to the electors of the county at the first general election following its adoption for those electors to select their preferred method of electing the 5 commissioners. A covered county that has a board consisting of 5 commissioners and that already elects its commissioners according to one of the 2 alternative methods using either the by-district method or the combination method of election is not required to pass a resolution. With a petition signed by at least 5% of the qualified electors of the county, the electors of a covered county that has a board consisting of 5 commissioners may also place on the ballot at a general election the question of whether to change the method of electing members of the board from one of the 2 alternative methods of election to the other.     A home rule county that elects more than half of its county commissioners by district or using a ranked voting method is exempt from the requirements of the bill.     The bill also makes conforming amendments.(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Maddy summarySJM 1 is a joint memorial resolution honoring Senator Faith Winter, who died in November 2025. It recognizes her career as a Colorado legislator representing Adams, Broomfield, and Weld Counties, her work on environmental justice, women's leadership initiatives, and legislative achievements like the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act. The resolution expresses the legislature's condolences to her family and commemorates her legacy of advocacy for climate action, healthcare access, and community-centered policies. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or affect any policies.

The act requires that an applicant for a teacher license disclose misdemeanor convictions that occurred in the last 7 years, except traffic misdemeanors, unless:The misdemeanor was committed against an at-risk person or a child; or The department of education has specified that the misdemeanor is grounds for denial, annulment, suspension, or revocation of a license, certificate, endorsement, or authorization.     The act requires that an applicant for a teacher license disclose any misdemeanor conviction in the 2 above categories, regardless of the date of conviction.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Beginning July 1, 2026, if a petitioner is under 18 years old at the time of filing a petition seeking to change the petitioner's name, the act requires the court to suppress the record unless the petitioner was previously convicted of a felony. The act authorizes the court to use the suppressed court record for administrative purposes, but the court is prohibited from publishing the petitioner's name or the petitioner's new name online. A petitioner who is under 18 years old is not required to give public notice of the name change. The act authorizes an individual to access a suppressed court record without a court order if the individual obtains verbal consent from a party to the case and submits an affidavit to the court, upon penalty of perjury, that the individual has obtained the verbal consent.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Existing law allows voters to circulate a petition for a ballot question requiring a local government to engage in collective bargaining with the fire department for the local government and extend coverage of the 'Colorado Firefighter Safety Act' to firefighters employed by the local government (question). The question may be added to the ballot for any general election, as defined in the 'Colorado Firefighter Safety Act'. The act changes the definition of a general election for the purpose of determining when a question may be added to the ballot to include a coordinated election as defined in the 'Uniform Election Code of 1992'. The act also changes the definition of a general election to refer to a regular municipal election rather than a general municipal election to align the language with other municipal elections law.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

The bill prohibits a person from selling, distributing, applying, or using certain types of rodenticide and rodent glue traps in the state except as authorized for restricted and limited use in a public health emergency and in accordance with certain use requirements and time periods.     A person conducting professional rodent control services in the state is required to prioritize integrated pest management strategies, which involve implementing a combination of nonchemical rodent control measures. designates second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, which are pesticides containing brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, or difethialone as an active ingredient, as restricted-use pesticides and authorizes the commissioner of agriculture to restrict their distribution and use.(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution recognizes Nowruz, the traditional Iranian New Year, as a celebration of renewal and hope for Middle Eastern communities in Colorado and around the world. The bill extends solidarity with the Iranian people and specifically honors the Women, Life, Freedom movement advocating for gender equality and civil rights in Iran. It also mourns civilians lost to violence and expresses hope for a future where all people in Iran can live with freedom, justice, and full protection of their human rights. This resolution does not change laws or policies but serves as a formal statement of recognition and support from the Colorado General Assembly.