All Roll Calls
Yes: 140 • No: 3
ColoradoSB25-2792025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Colorado Code of Military Justice Updates
Sponsored By: Anthony Hartsook (Republican), Byron Pelton (Republican), Matt Ball (Democratic), Monica Duran (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Military & Veterans
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Colorado troops follow federal military rules
Colorado adopts federal military offenses, court rules, and the Manual for Courts-Martial, subject to Colorado exceptions and punishment limits. State military law covers members at all times, except during active federal service under Title 10. Charging deadlines match the applicable federal military deadlines. The Governor and Adjutant General fill the roles assigned to the President and federal Secretary. The act applies to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, subject to its referendum exception. A referendum petition filed within 90 days after final adjournment delays the act pending voter approval in November 2026. Under that exception, the effective date is the Governor's official declaration of voter approval.
Commanders face limits on troop punishment
Commanders can impose nonjudicial punishment, meaning discipline without a military trial, within state limits and Governor-approved rules. Fines or pay forfeitures can reach pay and allowances for four unit training assemblies or four annual-training days, as applicable. Only commanders with general court-martial authority or general- or flag-rank officers in command can impose the listed officer restrictions. They can order commissioned or warrant officers to arrest in quarters or restriction for up to 30 consecutive days. Rules adopted by the Governor govern rank reductions for other personnel. Members can block nonjudicial punishment by demanding a court-martial before punishment is imposed, except that officers and warrant officers can still receive fines. Other limits include withholding privileges for two weeks and a ban on making multiple punishments run consecutively. Officers imposing punishment can suspend, set aside, reduce, or cancel penalties.
Military courts get sentencing limits
A general court-martial can try any Colorado military offense and impose up to five years in confinement, unless the code sets another limit. It can also impose a bad conduct discharge or reduce an enlisted member to any lower grade. Special courts-martial allow up to 180 days in confinement with a judge and at least three panel members. The limit is 90 days with a judge alone, chosen at the accused's request or by the convening authority. Special courts can impose a bad conduct discharge, but not dismissal or a dishonorable discharge. Their fines or pay forfeitures cannot exceed pay and allowances for six unit training assemblies or six annual-training days, depending on duty status. Special courts cannot try offenses listed in federal military law at 10 U.S.C. §§ 920(a)–(b) and 920b(a)–(b).
Troops gain trial safeguards with limits
An accused member can refuse a summary court-martial; the convening authority must then order a general or special court-martial. Summary courts cannot try commissioned officers, warrant officers, cadets, or candidates. They also cannot try offenses listed at 10 U.S.C. §§ 920(a)–(b) and 920b(a)–(b). When civilian and military authority overlap, military prosecutors must defer after a district attorney files state felony charges. A court-martial can follow if the district attorney declines prosecution or dismisses charges without trial. Colorado cannot appeal a court-martial finding of not guilty on a charge or specification.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Anthony Hartsook
Republican • House
Byron Pelton
Republican • Senate
Matt Ball
Democratic • Senate
Monica Duran
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Andrew Boesenecker
Democratic • House
Amy Paschal
Democratic • House
Chad Clifford
Democratic • House
Jarvis Caldwell
Republican • House
Julie McCluskie
Democratic • House
Jacque Phillips
Democratic • House
Lisa Feret
Democratic • House
Michael Carter
Democratic • House
Meg Froelich
Democratic • House
Manny Rutinel
Democratic • House
Rep. R. Armagost
Affiliation unavailable
Rebecca Keltie
Republican • House
Rep. S. Bird
Affiliation unavailable
Tammy Story
Democratic • House
Cathy Kipp
Democratic • Senate
Dafna Michaelson Jenet
Democratic • Senate
Sen. F. Winter
Affiliation unavailable
Iman Jodeh
Democratic • Senate
James Coleman
Democratic • Senate
Julie Gonzales
Democratic • Senate
Kyle Mullica
Democratic • Senate
Katie Wallace
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Cutter
Democratic • Senate
Marc Snyder
Democratic • Senate
Mike Weissman
Democratic • Senate
Tony Exum
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/1/2025
Third reading: Bill
Yes: 59 • No: 2
House vote • 4/29/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-279 to the Committee of the Whole.
Yes: 10 • No: 1
Senate vote • 4/14/2025
Third reading: Bill
Yes: 33 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/14/2025
Third reading: Amend (l.003)
Yes: 33 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/10/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-279, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
6/4/2025HouseSent to the Governor
5/13/2025HouseSigned by the President of the Senate
5/13/2025SenateSigned by the Speaker of the House
5/13/2025HouseHouse Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
5/1/2025HouseHouse Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
4/30/2025HouseHouse Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
4/29/2025HouseSenate Third Reading Passed with Amendments - Floor
4/14/2025SenateIntroduced In House - Assigned to State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs
4/14/2025HouseSenate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
4/11/2025SenateSenate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
4/10/2025SenateIntroduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military Affairs
4/4/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Final Act
Introduced
Reengrossed
Rerevised
Revised
Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Preamend
Signed Act