Current law establishes the youthful offender system (system) in the department of corrections (department) as a sentencing option that provides a continuum of services. The act:Updates references to the juveniles and young adults who are eligible for or participating in the system;Revises certain legislative intent provisions to emphasize lasting behavioral changes in preparation for reentry, trauma-informed care, addressing criminogenic risk, accountability, healthy relationship building, and system participant and staff safety;Expresses the general assembly's intent that juveniles and young adults with physical, intellectual, mental, or behavioral health disabilities or conditions receive equitable treatment in sentencing to the system and reasonable accommodations once in the system;Adds certain data related to system completion rates to an existing annual reporting requirement for the department;Adds requirements for evidence-informed rehabilitative treatment and life skills programming and for individual therapy, family therapy, or substance use disorder treatment;Establishes requirements for system participant evaluations, plans for addressing participants' needs and skills, and case manager duties;Requires the department, in consultation with relevant experts, to make and publish on its website recommendations for integrating a trauma-informed standard of care with current system practices to promote the health and safety of system participants; andExpands certain procedural protections for system participants with mental or behavioral health conditions or intellectual and developmental disabilities.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
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The act repeals the existing requirement that a paper certificate of title be used for specific vehicle transactions, thereby allowing the use of a certificate of title in an electronic format in all circumstances. Any party to a vehicle transaction may request either a paper or electronic version of a certificate of title.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
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 Senate Resolution recognizes October 2026 as Conflict Resolution Month in Colorado to promote peaceful dispute resolution methods. The bill directly affects Coloradans by encouraging community events, workplace discussions, and educational programs focused on mediation, arbitration, and restorative justice practices. Key provisions invite residents to reflect on and resolve conflicts responsibly while asking leaders and officials to participate in celebrating this month. The resolution also calls for increased awareness of conflict resolution benefits among judges, government staff, and local communities.
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 Senate Resolution designates March 21 as "Single Parent Day in Colorado" to honor single parents who raise children alone due to divorce, death, or other circumstances. The measure directly affects single-parent households in the state, which include over 10 million households nationally and represent nearly a quarter of families with children under 18. The resolution contains no new laws or funding, serving instead as a symbolic gesture to recognize the dedication and challenges faced by single parents. It was signed by the Senate President and sent to Janice S. Moglen, a longtime Colorado advocate for Single Parent Day.
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 establishes the Colorado domestic exchange program (program) in the Colorado department of education (department). The program facilitates a 2-week exchange program for high school seniors the summer after their high school graduation. The students participating in the program spend one week in another state and one week hosting recently graduated high school seniors from another state in the students' hometown. The bill requires the department to contract with a coordinating entity to facilitate the program. The program is contingent on the department receiving $45,000 of gifts, grants, or donations for the program by June 30, 2027.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
Maddy summarySJR 4 designates September 20-26, 2026, as "Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) Awareness Week" in Colorado. This symbolic resolution recognizes FTD - a terminal, incurable neurodegenerative disease affecting speech, behavior, and motor skills - and aims to increase public awareness of the condition. It directly supports Coloradans living with FTD, their families, and advocacy groups like the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, which focuses on research and care. The bill has no funding or regulatory provisions, as it is purely a recognition measure.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 3) designates March as "Arts Education Month" in Colorado. It does not create new laws or funding but symbolically recognizes the importance of arts education (including dance, music, theater, and visual arts) for students' development and academic success. The resolution aligns Colorado with national observances in March and acknowledges the state's lack of data on arts education access and the need to expand equitable opportunities. It is a non-binding recognition, sent to the Governor and State Board of Education, with no direct policy changes or requirements for schools.