ColoradoHB26-10522026 Regular SessionHouse

Rights for Victims of Certain Crimes

Sponsored By: Dan Woog (Republican), John Carson (Republican), Katie Wallace (Democratic), Rebekah Stewart (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Crimes, Corrections, & Enforcement

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Crime victims gain more hearing rights

Victims have the right to notice and attendance at hearings that assess restitution—the money owed for harm from a crime. They also have the right to speak at those hearings; the law does not change restitution formulas. Victims gain notice and attendance rights at hearings that examine evidence for post-conviction petitions under section 16-12-312. District attorneys must explain their right to request such a hearing. Speaking rights also cover hearings under sections 24-72-706, 24-72-709, 24-72-710, 18-1.3-103.7, and 19-2.5-1118.5. These changes take effect August 12, 2026, unless a referendum petition delays them. With a petition, voter approval in November 2026 is required; the changes then take effect upon the governor's decree certifying the vote.

More privacy protections for crime victims

Victims can request initials, a made-up name, an abbreviation, or another preferred name during hearings to protect safety or privacy. District attorneys must tell victims about this right. Victims also have the right to speak when courts consider subpoenas for their medical, mental health, education, or victim compensation records. This protection also covers other legally privileged records under section 13-90-107. These rights take effect August 12, 2026, unless a referendum petition delays them. With a petition, voter approval in November 2026 is required; the rights then take effect upon the governor's decree certifying the vote.

Safer representation for children and vulnerable victims

A victim's lawful representative must be chosen by the victim or appointed by the court. Defendants and alleged offenders cannot represent child or at-risk adult victims, including serving as their designees. When a victim has died or cannot act for themselves, one or more immediate family members may represent their interests. These rules take effect August 12, 2026, unless a referendum petition delays them. With a petition, voter approval in November 2026 is required; the rules then take effect upon the governor's decree certifying the vote.

Victims get lab notices without deadlines

District attorneys must notify victims when a crime lab wrongful-action notice identifies a case involving a crime against them. The notice becomes a protected stage of the case, but victims do not have to attend. The law removes the 91-day notice deadline and the required use of personal service or registered mail. These changes take effect August 12, 2026, unless a referendum petition delays them. With a petition, voter approval in November 2026 is required; the changes then take effect upon the governor's decree certifying the vote.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Andrew Boesenecker
Democratic • House
Anthony Hartsook
Republican • House
Chad Clifford
Democratic • House
Chris Richardson
Republican • House
Eliza Hamrick
Democratic • House
Jennifer Bacon
Democratic • House
Jarvis Caldwell
Republican • House
Jamie Jackson
Democratic • House
Julie McCluskie
Democratic • House
Kenny Nguyen
Democratic • House
Larry Don Suckla
Republican • House
Monica Duran
Democratic • House
Mandy Lindsay
Democratic • House
Meghan Lukens
Democratic • House
Manny Rutinel
Democratic • House
Naquetta Ricks
Democratic • House
Ryan Gonzalez
Republican • House
Rebecca Keltie
Republican • House
Rick Taggart
Republican • House
Sheila Lieder
Democratic • House
Ty Winter
Republican • House
Sen. A. Benavidez
Affiliation unavailable
Barbara Kirkmeyer
Republican • Senate
Cathy Kipp
Democratic • Senate
Chris Kolker
Democratic • Senate
Dylan Roberts
Democratic • Senate
Iman Jodeh
Democratic • Senate
James Coleman
Democratic • Senate
Julie Gonzales
Democratic • Senate
Janice Marchman
Democratic • Senate
Janice Rich
Republican • Senate
Kyle Mullica
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Cutter
Democratic • Senate
Lindsey Daugherty
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Frizell
Republican • Senate
Matt Ball
Democratic • Senate
Marc Catlin
Republican • Senate
Marc Snyder
Democratic • Senate
Mike Weissman
Democratic • Senate
Rod Pelton
Republican • Senate
Robert Rodriguez
Democratic • Senate
Scott Bright
Republican • Senate
Tony Exum
Democratic • Senate
Tom Sullivan
Democratic • Senate
William Lindstedt
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 124 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/30/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/27/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1052 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

Yes: 6 • No: 0

House vote • 4/22/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 65 • No: 0

House vote • 4/21/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1052, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 8 • No: 0

House vote • 2/3/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1052, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Governor Signed
6/3/2026House
Signed by the Speaker of the House
6/2/2026House
Signed by the President of the Senate
6/2/2026Senate
Sent to the Governor
6/2/2026House
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
4/30/2026Senate
Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
4/29/2026Senate
Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
4/27/2026Senate
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary
4/23/2026Senate
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
4/22/2026House
House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
4/21/2026House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
4/21/2026House
House Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to Appropriations
2/3/2026House
Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary
1/14/2026House

Bill Text

Engrossed
PDF
Final Act
PDF
House Appropriations Preamend
PDF
House Judiciary Preamend
PDF
Introduced
PDF
Reengrossed
PDF
Rerevised
PDF
Revised
PDF
Signed Act
PDF

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