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Second Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

CLICS/CLICS2026A/commsumm.nsf
PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For SB26-176

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date May 4, 2026       Location Old Supreme Court

SB26-176 - Postponed Indefinitely
03:22:55 PM  
Senators Weissman and Gonzales, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 26-176. The bill allows individuals to sue individuals in state court for violations of their federal constitutional rights.

Committee members asked the bill sponsors questions about the necessity for the bill, along with other inquiries about cost and current state court filings. Further questions were raised about the bill's relationship to Senate Bill 26-005, concerning state court remedies for violations of federal constitutional rights occurring during immigration enforcement.
03:56:03 PM  
Ariane Frosh, representing ACLU of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Adam Sopko, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Zachary Heiden, representing ACLU of Maine, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Travis Bruner, representing Protect Democracy United, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Michael Neil, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions about similar laws in other states and qualified immunity.
04:25:03 PM  

Alexis King, representing 1st Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. John Walsh, representing 2nd Judicial District Attorneys' Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Emily Tofte Nestaval, representing Rocky Mountain Victim Law Center, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Rachel Zenzinger, representing Jefferson County, testified in opposition to the bill. Lauren Simpson, representing City of Arvada, testified in opposition to the bill. Ashley Jellison, representing Colorado Children's Alliance, testified in opposition to the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions about legal precedence and qualified immunity for local government officials. Discussion ensued about the bill's application and scope. Further questions were raised about the fiscal note and frivolous lawsuits.
04:58:01 PM  
Matt Buechner, representing Colorado Hospital Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Kylie Justice, representing Colorado Association of the Chiefs of Police, testified in opposition to the bill. Tyler Brown, representing County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Chief Noeller, representing Colorado Association of the Chiefs of Police, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Allie Morgan, representing Colorado Association of Local Public Health Officials (CALPHO), testified in opposition to the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions about law enforcement liability, followed by ones about the bill's application to hospitals.
05:22:37 PM  
Isaac Bevis, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Naomi Andre, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Stephen Gladstone, representing www.FullDisclosureAct.com, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Ben DeNardo, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Anna Martinez, representing Martinez Law Colorado LLC, testified in opposition to the bill.

Committee members asked questions about ICE and Senate Bill 26-005.
05:38:42 PM  
Ann Terry, representing Special District Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Jocelyn Rhymer, representing Mothers Against Drunk Driving, testified in opposition to the bill. Amy Padden, representing 18th Judicial District Attorney, testified in opposition to the bill. Kym Sorrells, representing Jefferson County, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Commissioner Matt Scherr, representing Counties & Commissioners Acting Together (CCAT), testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Philip Qualman, representing CO Association of School Executives, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Lisi Owen, representing The Vanguard Collective, testified in opposition to the bill. Annie Martinez, representing Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in opposition to the bill.

Committee members asked questions about county budgets and qualified immunity provisions in the bill. Committee discussion returned to similar laws in other states.  Further questions were raised about jurisdiction and the Supremacy Clause in the United States Constitution.
06:10:14 PM  
Anaya Robinson, representing ACLU of CO, testified in support of the bill. Beau Tremitiere, representing Protect Democracy United, testified in support of the bill. Mrs. Meagan Forbes, representing Institute for Justice, testified in support of the bill. Elizabeth Mavis, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Dillon Rankin, representing Colorado Common Cause, testified in support of the bill. Selena Lopez, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Committee discussion followed about jurisdiction and the constitutionality of hearing these cases at the state level.

Written testimony about the bill is in Attachment A.
06:32:35 PM  
The bill sponsor made closing comments. Committee members made closing comments.

06:57:36 PM
 Motion Refer Senate Bill 26-176 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Weissman
Seconded
Carson No
Daugherty No
Hinrichsen Yes
Pelton B. No
Wallace Yes
Roberts No
Weissman Yes
YES: 3   NO: 4   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  FAIL

06:57:58 PM
 Motion Postpone Senate Bill 26-176 indefinitely using a reversal of the previous roll call. There was no objection to the use of the reverse roll call, therefore, the bill was postponed indefinitely.
Moved Daugherty
Seconded
Carson Yes
Daugherty Yes
Hinrichsen No
Pelton B. Yes
Wallace No
Roberts Yes
Weissman No
Final YES: 4   NO: 3   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS