All Roll Calls
Yes: 393 • No: 404
ColoradoSB25-0012025 Regular SessionSenate
Colorado Voting Rights Act
Sponsored By: Jennifer Bacon (Democratic), Julie Gonzales (Democratic), Junie Joseph (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Elections & Redistricting
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More translated ballots for municipal voters
Starting January 1, 2027, municipalities with at least 3,000 people wholly or partly in covered counties must expand translated ballots. For county-required languages, qualified translators must produce sample ballots matching English content, available online and at polling places when used. Requested in-person translated ballots must match English content and be available at one public location and every municipal polling place. Mail-ballot packets must notify active eligible voters in each relevant language about sample ballots and where to request in-person ballots. Municipalities may coordinate with counties; the law provides $75,432 from the Department of State Cash Fund for 2025–26 implementation. This includes $60,812 for staffing based on one additional full-time position, and $14,620 for operating costs.
More tribal identification accepted for voting
Colorado accepts more tribal membership cards as voter identification for election activities beginning January 1, 2026. Valid cards can come from federally recognized tribes, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, or the Indian Health Service. Cards from other tribal or federal agencies also qualify. The card must certify tribal membership and include a Colorado address, but it does not need a photo.
Primary voters get non-in-person participation rights
Eligible voters unable to attend in person must have a way to vote in primary elections without appearing in person. They must be able to participate to the same extent as in-person voters. This also covers future alternative processes for choosing general-election candidates. The legislature, Secretary of State, and political parties must ensure access; the law does not require one specific voting method.
Stronger protections against discriminatory voting barriers
For election activities beginning January 1, 2026, local governments cannot create material gaps in voting access for protected groups. These include racial, ethnic and language groups, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people. The ban covers actions that cause, will cause, or aim to cause these gaps. Local governments also cannot base voting requirements on actual or perceived gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. They cannot add voting requirements because an otherwise eligible voter is confined in a local jail.
Stronger protections against weakened voting power
Beginning January 1, 2026, local governments cannot use election methods that unlawfully weaken protected groups' voting power. A claim requires divided voting patterns or other evidence showing unequal chances to nominate or elect preferred candidates. A new or changed election method must also be available that is likely to reduce that harm. Courts may consider whether groups elect preferred candidates roughly in proportion to their population share. Living far apart does not block a violation finding, though courts may consider it when choosing a remedy.
Accessible voting notices at care facilities
Covered care facilities must post voting notices during the 30 days before a general or coordinated election. Covered locations include adult day care, assisted living, nursing facilities, certain disability facilities, and state psychiatric hospitals. Each building serving clients must display at least one plain-language notice, also available in accessible formats. Notices must explain registration, voting rights, accommodations, drop boxes, polling centers, and how to contact the state's Accessibility Coordinator.
Cost repayment for voting rights complaints
A harmed person whose notice letter prompts a local government to adopt and carry out a fix can recover costs. Repayment covers reasonable, documented work supporting the complaint, such as voting-pattern analysis, or a mutually agreed amount. The person must send a written demand and financial proof within 30 days after the fix is implemented. The law sets no fixed payment amount.
Court action to protect Colorado voters
Colorado's attorney general can independently bring civil and criminal cases to enforce state laws, including voting-rights laws. The attorney general acts for the state, not the Secretary of State, and chooses which cases to bring. In voting-rights cases filed within 120 days before an election, harmed people or the attorney general can seek temporary relief. Courts must grant it when success is reasonably likely, immediate irreparable harm is preventable, and a timely fix avoids undue election disruption. Final remedies must account for state law, election administration, upcoming municipal elections, and local operations. Courts can order an appropriate fix despite conflicting law, but cannot impede required voter identity checks.
More public election data, stronger safeguards
The Secretary of State must publish accessible election results, voting-site locations and hours, and population estimates by protected-group characteristics. Local Affairs must supply annual population estimates; precinct-level estimates are used when available, otherwise district or county figures. After certification, election administrators must submit results and available district and precinct boundaries, unless the Secretary already has them. Available records must cover the preceding 12 years, or the period they have existed, and stay as current as possible. The Secretary must protect voter records against unauthorized access, secure data transfers, and keep nonpublic personal voter information unpublished.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Jennifer Bacon
Democratic • House
Julie Gonzales
Democratic • Senate
Junie Joseph
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Andrew Boesenecker
Democratic • House
Amy Paschal
Democratic • House
Alex Valdez
Democratic • House
Bob Marshall
Democratic • House
Brianna Titone
Democratic • House
Chad Clifford
Democratic • House
Cecelia Espenoza
Democratic • House
Eliza Hamrick
Democratic • House
Emily Sirota
Democratic • House
Elizabeth Velasco
Democratic • House
Jamie Jackson
Democratic • House
Julie McCluskie
Democratic • House
Jenny Willford
Democratic • House
Kyle Brown
Democratic • House
Karen McCormick
Democratic • House
Katie Stewart
Democratic • House
Lorena Garcia
Democratic • House
Lindsay Gilchrist
Democratic • House
Lesley Smith
Democratic • House
Michael Carter
Democratic • House
Monica Duran
Democratic • House
Meg Froelich
Democratic • House
Mandy Lindsay
Democratic • House
Meghan Lukens
Democratic • House
Matthew Martinez
Democratic • House
Manny Rutinel
Democratic • House
Rebekah Stewart
Democratic • House
Rep. S. Bird
Affiliation unavailable
Sheila Lieder
Democratic • House
Tammy Story
Democratic • House
William Lindstedt
Democratic • Senate
Yara Zokaie
Democratic • House
Cathy Kipp
Democratic • Senate
Sen. F. Winter
Affiliation unavailable
Judy Amabile
Democratic • Senate
Jeff Bridges
Democratic • Senate
James Coleman
Democratic • Senate
Jessie Danielson
Democratic • Senate
Katie Wallace
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Cutter
Democratic • Senate
Lindsey Daugherty
Democratic • Senate
Matt Ball
Democratic • Senate
Marc Snyder
Democratic • Senate
Mike Weissman
Democratic • Senate
Robert Rodriguez
Democratic • Senate
Tony Exum
Democratic • Senate
Tom Sullivan
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/29/2025
House amendments: Repass
Yes: 20 • No: 12
Senate vote • 4/29/2025
House amendments: Concur
Yes: 20 • No: 12
House vote • 4/28/2025
Third reading: Perm
Yes: 59 • No: 3
House vote • 4/28/2025
Third reading: Amd (l.077)
Yes: 23 • No: 39
House vote • 4/28/2025
Third reading: Bill
Yes: 43 • No: 22
House vote • 4/25/2025
Committee of the whole: Amd (h.007)
Yes: 21 • No: 39
House vote • 4/25/2025
Committee of the whole: Amd (h.009)
Yes: 22 • No: 38
House vote • 4/25/2025
Committee of the whole: Amd (h.008)
Yes: 22 • No: 38
House vote • 4/25/2025
Committee of the whole: Amd (h.002)
Yes: 20 • No: 40
House vote • 4/25/2025
Committee of the whole: Amd (h.004)
Yes: 20 • No: 40
House vote • 4/25/2025
Committee of the whole: Amd (h.003)
Yes: 21 • No: 39
House vote • 4/25/2025
Committee of the whole: Amd (h.001)
Yes: 21 • No: 39
House vote • 4/22/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-001 to the Committee of the Whole.
Yes: 7 • No: 4
House vote • 4/14/2025
Adopt amendment L.052 (Attachment G).
Yes: 9 • No: 2
House vote • 4/14/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-001, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Yes: 8 • No: 3
House vote • 4/14/2025
Adopt amendment L.046 (Attachment H).
Yes: 8 • No: 3
Senate vote • 3/31/2025
Third reading: Bill
Yes: 22 • No: 12
Senate vote • 3/28/2025
Committee of the whole: Cow * (s.001)
Yes: 20 • No: 14
Senate vote • 3/26/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-001, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
Yes: 4 • No: 3
Senate vote • 2/18/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-001, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Yes: 3 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
5/12/2025HouseSigned by the President of the Senate
5/6/2025SenateSent to the Governor
5/6/2025HouseSigned by the Speaker of the House
5/6/2025HouseSenate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
4/29/2025SenateHouse Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
4/28/2025HouseHouse Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
4/25/2025HouseHouse Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
4/24/2025HouseHouse Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
4/22/2025HouseHouse Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Refer Amended to Appropriations
4/14/2025HouseSenate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
3/31/2025SenateIntroduced In House - Assigned to State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs
3/31/2025HouseSenate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
3/28/2025SenateSenate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole
3/26/2025SenateSenate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Refer Amended to Appropriations
2/18/2025SenateIntroduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military Affairs
1/8/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Final Act
House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Preamend
Introduced
Reengrossed
Rerevised
Revised
Senate Appropriations Preamend
Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Preamend
Signed Act