Search Warrants Provided to Covered Platforms

Large platforms face faster warrant deadlines

Large online platforms must give Colorado law enforcement an always-available contact process, including a staffed, 24/7 warrant hotline. They must post contact details on their home pages, acknowledge warrants within 8 hours, and provide compliance updates. Covered platforms must have at least 1 million distinct monthly users, public or semipublic profiles, and user-posted content. Reviews, comment fields, or provider-selected content with interactive features alone do not qualify; employee- or affiliate-only business services are excluded. Operators must comply within 72 hours after lawful service of a qualifying warrant, including court orders requiring records. The warrant must reach the operator or platform and concern a Colorado resident's account information controlled by the user or operator. Courts can extend the deadline only with written findings of good cause and no adverse result under federal law. Existing privacy laws and constitutional protections still apply. Failure to comply with a court-ordered warrant constitutes contempt of court. The Colorado attorney general or a district attorney with jurisdiction can seek court orders, restitution, return of profits, damages, and civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation. The stated start date is August 12, 2026; the law covers warrants provided on or after its effective date, not warrants issued before it. A referendum petition delays the challenged law until voter approval in November 2026 and the governor's official declaration of the vote.