All Roll Calls
Yes: 98 • No: 15
ColoradoSB25-2822025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Protections for Veterans Seeking Benefits
Sponsored By: Byron Pelton (Republican), Lisa Feret (Democratic), Matt Ball (Democratic), Ryan Armagost
Signed by Governor
Military & Veterans
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Limits on veterans’ benefits assistance fees
Providers outside the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) accreditation and regulation system can collect fees only after securing increased benefits. Fees cannot exceed $9,200 or 25% of past-due benefits actually received from that increase, whichever is less. Providers cannot collect extra fees, including upfront or nonrefundable fees. They cannot charge for claims filed before release from active duty or during the following year. If the veteran dies before VA or Colorado’s veterans department processes the claim, fees are barred and contracts or payment plans end.
Stronger privacy rules for veterans’ information
Benefits-help providers cannot use veterans’ personal login details to access medical, financial, or government benefits records. They cannot share personal data from the benefits matter with third parties unless a court orders it. They must protect personal, financial, and medical information under state and federal privacy laws, including HIPAA. These requirements exclude representatives accredited and regulated by VA.
Veterans’ appeal help requires VA accreditation
After VA issues an initial benefits decision, people without VA accreditation cannot advise or help with an appeal or review. This adds an accreditation safeguard but narrows veterans’ choices for appeal help.
Clear contracts for veterans’ benefits help
Before paid help begins, veterans and providers must sign a clear, readable contract explaining services, fees, and payment terms. Contracts and all ads must clearly disclose no ties to specified veterans’ agencies or groups, free services, and no ability to speed VA processing. Providers cannot guarantee success or a specific benefit level, percentage, or amount. These contract, disclosure, and guarantee rules exclude representatives accredited and regulated by VA. Providers also cannot falsely claim VA accreditation as a veterans’ service organization representative, claims agent, or attorney.
Penalties enforce veterans’ benefits protections
Violating these veterans’ benefits rules is a deceptive trade practice under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act. Civil penalties reach $20,000 per violation, or $50,000 per violation against an elderly person. The attorney general or district attorney sends collected penalties to the state treasurer for the Colorado State Veterans Trust Fund. The law’s effective time is 12:01 a.m. the day after the 90-day period following final adjournment. A referendum petition delays its effect and requires voter approval at the November 2026 general election.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Byron Pelton
Republican • Senate
Lisa Feret
Democratic • House
Matt Ball
Democratic • Senate
Ryan Armagost
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Andrew Boesenecker
Democratic • House
Amy Paschal
Democratic • House
Bob Marshall
Democratic • House
Brianna Titone
Democratic • House
Chad Clifford
Democratic • House
Eliza Hamrick
Democratic • House
Jamie Jackson
Democratic • House
Javier Mabrey
Democratic • House
Julie McCluskie
Democratic • House
Jacque Phillips
Democratic • House
Monica Duran
Democratic • House
Mandy Lindsay
Democratic • House
Matthew Martinez
Democratic • House
Manny Rutinel
Democratic • House
Rep. S. Bird
Affiliation unavailable
Sheila Lieder
Democratic • House
Tammy Story
Democratic • House
Barbara Kirkmeyer
Republican • Senate
Chris Kolker
Democratic • Senate
Iman Jodeh
Democratic • Senate
Julie Gonzales
Democratic • Senate
Kyle Mullica
Democratic • Senate
Katie Wallace
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Cutter
Democratic • Senate
Mike Weissman
Democratic • Senate
Rod Pelton
Republican • Senate
Robert Rodriguez
Democratic • Senate
Tony Exum
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/1/2025
Third reading: Bill
Yes: 52 • No: 11
House vote • 4/29/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-282 to the Committee of the Whole.
Yes: 9 • No: 2
Senate vote • 4/15/2025
Third reading: Bill
Yes: 33 • No: 1
Senate vote • 4/10/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-282, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
Yes: 4 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
6/3/2025HouseSent 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 - No Amendments
4/15/2025SenateIntroduced In House - Assigned to State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs
4/15/2025HouseSenate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee
4/14/2025SenateSenate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole
4/10/2025SenateIntroduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military Affairs
4/7/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Final Act
Introduced
Reengrossed
Rerevised
Revised
Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Preamend
Signed Act