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ColoradoSB26-1042026 Regular SessionSenate

Require Key Boxes at Schools

Sponsored By: Chad Clifford (Democratic), Larry Liston (Republican), Marc Snyder (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Education & School Finance (Pre & K-12)

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

School security records hidden, other records opened

The law excludes school key-box contents and the information inside them from Colorado public records. The public cannot obtain those materials through public-records requests. It also removes exclusions for unsubstantiated harassment or discrimination complaints and all related records, including investigation records. The specified jail assessments also lose their exclusion. Those complaint records and jail assessments now count as public records, while school key-box information does not. These changes follow the act’s effective-date and referendum rules.

School employees gain key-box liability protection

School and education-provider employees are protected from civil liability for damages arising from installing or using required key boxes. This limits damage claims against those employees. The protection does not apply to gross negligence, meaning serious carelessness, or bad faith. This protection follows the act’s effective-date and referendum rules.

Schools must provide emergency key boxes

Colorado school providers must install at least one outside key box at each K–12 school by July 1, 2030. District, charter, private, and other covered schools are included; homeschools are excluded. Boxes must meet or exceed Underwriters Laboratories Standard 1037 and hold keys or devices for every building and room. Providers choose box locations after consulting local law enforcement and give each relevant agency a key or access code. Boxes must hold accurate maps showing entrances, room names or numbers, critical utilities, key boxes, defibrillators, trauma kits, and other emergency aids. Maps must also show parking, athletic fields, nearby roads, outbuildings, and neighboring properties. No new box is required when a school already has a compliant box. A noncompliant box also qualifies for an exception when paired with a plan and procedures giving police full emergency access. Providers may use School Security Disbursement Program funds for installation; the law specifies no new funding amount. Providers that applied but received no program funds usable for installation are excused from installing a box at that school. The act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. the day following the 90-day period after final legislative adjournment. That date is August 12, 2026, for a May 13, 2026 adjournment. A referendum petition delays the challenged provisions until voter approval at the November 2026 election and the governor’s official vote declaration.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Chad Clifford

    Democratic • House

  • Larry Liston

    Republican • Senate

  • Marc Snyder

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Eliza Hamrick

    Democratic • House

  • Kenny Nguyen

    Democratic • House

  • Lori Goldstein

    Democratic • House

  • Lesley Smith

    Democratic • House

  • Michael Carter

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Barbara Kirkmeyer

    Republican • Senate

  • John Carson

    Republican • Senate

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Katie Wallace

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Cutter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Frizell

    Republican • Senate

  • Matt Ball

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 91 • No: 23

House vote • 4/16/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 42 • No: 20

House vote • 4/14/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-104 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 10 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/13/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 32 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/9/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-104, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    5/4/2026House

  2. Sent to the Governor

    4/23/2026House

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    4/22/2026Senate

  4. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    4/22/2026House

  5. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/16/2026House

  6. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

    4/15/2026House

  7. House Committee on Judiciary Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole

    4/14/2026House

  8. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    3/13/2026Senate

  9. Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary

    3/13/2026House

  10. Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor

    3/12/2026Senate

  11. Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole

    3/9/2026Senate

  12. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary

    2/11/2026Senate

Bill Text

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