ColoradoHB26-14272026 Regular SessionHouse

Uniform Antitrust Pre-Merger Notification Update

Sponsored By: Cecelia Espenoza (Democratic), Marc Snyder (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Financial Services & Commerce

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Merger filers get more filing time

Covered merger filers must send Colorado's attorney general a complete electronic copy of their federal Hart-Scott-Rodino form. The deadline is one business day after the federal filing, replacing the same-time filing rule. The attorney general cannot charge fees for the notice or related materials. These changes start at 12:01 a.m. the day after 90 days following the 2026 legislative session's final adjournment. That means August 12, 2026, with a May 13 adjournment. A referendum petition against the law or part of it makes implementation depend on voter approval in November 2026. After approval, the effective date is the date of the governor's official declaration.

Stronger privacy protections for merger filers

Beginning on the law's effective date, Colorado's attorney general must provide secure receipt and storage of required merger materials. Sharing with another state's attorney general is allowed on a reciprocal basis only under the same or an equivalent law. That state's privacy rules must be at least as protective as Colorado's, and it must promise to maintain confidentiality. Filers or material providers must receive at least five business days' notice before sharing, up from two. Materials must be returned or destroyed within 120 days after the later of closing or the end of directly related legal proceedings, unless a court order or another law requires otherwise.

Merger filing violations face daily penalties

Beginning on the law's effective date, Colorado's attorney general can seek up to $10,000 per day for covered merger filing violations. The attorney general must first give written notice and allow three business days to fix the violation. Enforcement must follow procedural due process protections. The actual penalty can be lower than the daily maximum.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Jennifer Bacon
Democratic • House
Michael Carter
Democratic • House
Monica Duran
Democratic • House
James Coleman
Democratic • Senate
Janice Marchman
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 102 • No: 15

Senate vote • 5/12/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 32 • No: 3

Senate vote • 5/11/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1427 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 4 • No: 3

House vote • 5/7/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 55 • No: 9

House vote • 5/5/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1427 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Governor Signed
6/4/2026House
Signed by the Speaker of the House
6/3/2026House
Signed by the President of the Senate
6/3/2026Senate
Sent to the Governor
6/3/2026House
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
5/12/2026Senate
Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole
5/11/2026Senate
Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
5/11/2026Senate
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary
5/8/2026Senate
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
5/7/2026House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
5/6/2026House
House Committee on Judiciary Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
5/5/2026House
Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary
4/30/2026House

Bill Text

Engrossed
PDF
Final Act
PDF
Introduced
PDF
Reengrossed
PDF
Rerevised
PDF
Revised
PDF
Signed Act
PDF

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