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ColoradoHB26-10202026 Regular SessionHouse

Colorimetric Field Drug Tests in Drug Possessions

Sponsored By: Jennifer Bacon (Democratic), Lindsay Gilchrist (Democratic), Lisa Frizell (Republican), Matt Ball (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Crimes, Corrections, & Enforcement

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Summons, not arrest, for field tests

When an officer used a colorimetric field drug test, and the only suspected offense is level 1 drug misdemeanor possession under 18-18-403.5(2)(c) or (2.5)(a)(II), or a city possession charge, the officer must not arrest you. The officer must issue a summons and complaint instead. The officer must release you and give you a summons that orders you to appear later. In these cases, officers must issue a summons instead of seeking an arrest warrant.

Defines field tests and start date

The law defines a "colorimetric field drug test" as a quick chemical screen done outside a lab by someone who is not a forensic chemist, where a reagent changes color to show a possible controlled substance. The arrest, summons, and judge-advisement rules apply when this kind of test was used. These rules apply to offenses committed on or after the law’s effective date.

Judge warning and lab test right

Before taking a plea in drug possession cases that used a colorimetric field test, the judge must warn you. The judge states these tests can be wrong, have known error rates, and are not admissible as proof. The judge also tells you that you can plead not guilty and ask for testing by an accredited forensic lab. This applies to possession charges under 18-18-403.5(1), (2), or (2.5), and to municipal possession cases.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Jennifer Bacon

    Democratic • House

  • Lindsay Gilchrist

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Frizell

    Republican • Senate

  • Matt Ball

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Andrew Boesenecker

    Democratic • House

  • Bob Marshall

    Democratic • House

  • Chad Clifford

    Democratic • House

  • Cecelia Espenoza

    Democratic • House

  • Junie Joseph

    Democratic • House

  • Julie McCluskie

    Democratic • House

  • Jenny Willford

    Democratic • House

  • Kyle Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Kenny Nguyen

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Regina English

    Democratic • House

  • Sean Camacho

    Democratic • House

  • Sheila Lieder

    Democratic • House

  • Yara Zokaie

    Democratic • House

  • Barbara Kirkmeyer

    Republican • Senate

  • Cathy Kipp

    Democratic • Senate

  • Cleave Simpson

    Republican • Senate

  • Iman Jodeh

    Democratic • Senate

  • Judy Amabile

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jeff Bridges

    Democratic • Senate

  • John Carson

    Republican • Senate

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Julie Gonzales

    Democratic • Senate

  • Janice Marchman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Katie Wallace

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Cutter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lindsey Daugherty

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sen. L. Zamora Wilson

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Marc Catlin

    Republican • Senate

  • Marc Snyder

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Weissman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Byron Pelton

    Republican • Senate

  • Scott Bright

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    3/26/2026House

  2. Signed by the President of the Senate

    3/17/2026Senate

  3. Sent to the Governor

    3/17/2026House

  4. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    3/16/2026House

  5. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    3/6/2026Senate

  6. Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments

    3/5/2026Senate

  7. Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole

    3/2/2026Senate

  8. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary

    2/17/2026Senate

  9. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    2/10/2026House

  10. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee

    2/9/2026House

  11. House Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole

    2/4/2026House

  12. Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary

    1/14/2026House

Bill Text

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