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ColoradoHB26-13092026 Regular SessionHouse

Abuse in Cases of Separation

Sponsored By: Katie Wallace (Democratic), Meg Froelich (Democratic), Tammy Story (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Children & Domestic MattersCourts & Judicial

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.

More abuse protections in custody cases

In Colorado custody cases, domestic violence includes acts or threats involving physical harm, property damage, stalking, sexual assault, coercive control, economic abuse, and human trafficking—even without a crime. Actions protecting people or property from harm threatened by the other parent are excluded. When a party, investigator, evaluator, or child’s legal representative submits abuse evidence, the court must record its finding using relevant, admissible evidence. For domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, or sexual assault resulting in conception, the standard is more likely than not. Leaving home because the other party committed this conduct cannot count against a parent when deciding the child’s best interests.

Safer visits with limits for parents

After a more-likely-than-not finding of domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, or sexual assault resulting in conception, safety comes first. Courts must consider limiting or stopping parenting time, but neither happens automatically. Courts must set safety conditions, which can include supervised visits, limited or no overnight visits, protected exchanges, contact limits, and confidential addresses. Options also include substance restrictions during visits and the preceding 24 hours, and child-support registry payments with information kept confidential. Courts must explain imposed or continued restrictions, including relevant abuse findings, and may list steps for seeking a parenting-plan change.

Safety checks limit shared parenting decisions

This rule applies after a court finds domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, or sexual assault resulting in conception. The court uses a more-likely-than-not standard. Shared parental decisions are not in the child’s best interests when the other party or child’s legal representative objects. The court can allow them only with specific findings ruling out coercion, intimidation, retaliation, or harm to the child or abused party. It cannot appoint a parenting coordinator solely to make shared decisions possible.

Abuse damages claims use updated definition

Colorado civil lawsuits seeking damages for domestic violence now use the revised family-law definition. The six-year filing period remains, measured from when the claim arises or a legal disability ends, whichever is later. The deadline can never extend beyond 20 years after the claim arises. The supplied text does not establish which potential claimants gain or lose access because of the definition change.

Abusive parents can face treatment costs

Courts can order domestic-violence evaluations after a more-likely-than-not finding of domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, or sexual assault resulting in conception. The party found to have committed the conduct pays the full cost of the evaluation and any recommended treatment. If the evaluation shows treatment is appropriate, the court can order participation and a later evaluation. When granting parenting time, the court can require provider reports on progress and ongoing safety concerns.

Workplace abuse protections use updated definitions

The law updates the domestic-violence definition used for Colorado’s workplace protections. It replaces the former family-law reference with the revised definition and retains references to criminal domestic violence and civil domestic abuse. The supplied text does not establish whether any employee gains or loses access to workplace protections.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Katie Wallace

    Democratic • Senate

  • Meg Froelich

    Democratic • House

  • Tammy Story

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Chad Clifford

    Democratic • House

  • Emily Sirota

    Democratic • House

  • Gretchen Rydin

    Democratic • House

  • Jenny Willford

    Democratic • House

  • Kyle Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Kenny Nguyen

    Democratic • House

  • Lori Goldstein

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Manny Rutinel

    Democratic • House

  • Sheila Lieder

    Democratic • House

  • Cathy Kipp

    Democratic • Senate

  • Judy Amabile

    Democratic • Senate

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Janice Marchman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Cutter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tony Exum

    Democratic • Senate

  • William Lindstedt

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 181 • No: 87

Senate vote • 5/13/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 23 • No: 12

House vote • 5/13/2026

Senate amendments: Repass

Yes: 43 • No: 22

House vote • 5/13/2026

Senate amendments: Concur

Yes: 44 • No: 21

Senate vote • 5/7/2026

Adopt amendment L.009 (Attachment D).

Yes: 3 • No: 1

Senate vote • 5/7/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1309, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 3 • No: 1

House vote • 5/6/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 47 • No: 17

House vote • 5/5/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1309, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 8 • No: 2

House vote • 3/31/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1309, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.

Yes: 6 • No: 5

House vote • 3/31/2026

Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment C).

Yes: 4 • No: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    5/27/2026House

  2. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    5/21/2026House

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    5/21/2026Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor

    5/21/2026House

  5. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    5/13/2026Senate

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

    5/13/2026House

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

    5/12/2026Senate

  8. Senate Second Reading Special Order - Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

    5/11/2026Senate

  9. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military Affairs

    5/7/2026Senate

  10. Senate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole

    5/7/2026Senate

  11. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    5/6/2026House

  12. House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole

    5/5/2026House

  13. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor

    5/5/2026House

  14. House Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to Appropriations

    3/31/2026House

  15. Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary

    3/2/2026House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

    PDF

  • Final Act

    PDF

  • House Judiciary Preamend

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • Reengrossed

    PDF

  • Rerevised

    PDF

  • Revised

    PDF

  • Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Preamend

    PDF

  • Signed Act

    PDF

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