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ColoradoHB26-11942026 Regular SessionHouse

Sunset Combative Sports Office & Commission

Sponsored By: Carlos Barron (Republican), Nick Hinrichsen (Democratic), Regina English (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Combat sports workers face licensing rules

Beginning August 12, 2026, people need a license to participate in or work at matches regulated by the Act. This includes participants, officials, judges, referees, promoters, matchmakers, managers, and corner personnel. Commission rules govern licenses and permits; the law does not state license fee amounts. Applicants and licensees must answer division letters about complaints against them by the letter's deadline. Missing that deadline is grounds for discipline or other authorized action.

Combat sports oversight continues through 2037

Beginning August 12, 2026, the law extends Colorado's combative sports oversight beyond its earlier 2026 repeal date. The Combative Sports Safety Act, Office of Combative Sports, and commission continue until the scheduled September 1, 2037 repeal. The office and commission undergo sunset review before that date.

Financial ties limited for fight businesses

Beginning August 12, 2026, promoters and matchmakers cannot hold direct or indirect financial interests in managing a participant. Managers cannot hold direct or indirect financial interests in promoting a participant. They also cannot work for a promoter or matchmaker. Managers can receive compensation or benefits from either only as payment under their contract with the participant. These limits address financial conflicts but restrict business and payment arrangements.

Banned toughperson fights carry misdemeanor penalties

Beginning August 12, 2026, violating the toughperson-fighting ban is a class 2 misdemeanor. The ban covers unsanctioned contests not recognized by established sanctioning bodies; commission-sanctioned and approved events are exempt. The law narrows this penalty to violations of that ban. It does not apply the penalty generally to the same section's separate financial-conflict rules.

More combat sports face safety oversight

Beginning August 12, 2026, Colorado's renamed Combative Sports Safety Act covers more than professional boxing. Covered sports include boxing, kickboxing, martial arts, mixed martial arts, and Muay Thai. The commission must identify covered sports by rule and can add more sports. The office director must collect safety data and give it to the commission. The commission must consider that data when adopting participant safety rules, while covered events and businesses face state regulation.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Carlos Barron

    Republican • House

  • Nick Hinrichsen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Regina English

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Julie McCluskie

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Manny Rutinel

    Democratic • House

  • Naquetta Ricks

    Democratic • House

  • Sheila Lieder

    Democratic • House

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 217 • No: 46

House vote • 5/4/2026

Senate amendments: Repass

Yes: 53 • No: 12

House vote • 5/4/2026

Senate amendments: Concur

Yes: 58 • No: 7

Senate vote • 4/22/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 24 • No: 10

Senate vote • 4/21/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1194 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/9/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1194, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.

Yes: 5 • No: 2

House vote • 3/16/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 51 • No: 11

House vote • 3/13/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1194 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 10 • No: 1

House vote • 3/3/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1194, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.

Yes: 9 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    6/3/2026House

  2. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    6/2/2026House

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    6/2/2026Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/2/2026House

  5. House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass

    5/4/2026House

  6. House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily

    4/23/2026House

  7. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/22/2026Senate

  8. Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole

    4/21/2026Senate

  9. Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee

    4/21/2026Senate

  10. Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to Appropriations

    4/9/2026Senate

  11. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services

    3/19/2026Senate

  12. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    3/16/2026House

  13. House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole

    3/13/2026House

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

    3/13/2026House

  15. House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to Appropriations

    3/3/2026House

  16. Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services

    2/11/2026House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

    PDF

  • Final Act

    PDF

  • House Health & Human Services Preamend

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • Reengrossed

    PDF

  • Rerevised

    PDF

  • Revised

    PDF

  • Senate Health & Human Services Preamend

    PDF

  • Signed Act

    PDF

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