A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning expanding the crime of obstructing government
Page 1, Line 102operations to include the repeated calling of public
Page 1, Line 103safety emergency entities without justifiable cause.
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)
The bill expands the conduct that can constitute the crime of obstructing governmental operations to include the repeated calling of 911 dispatch centers without justifiable cause.
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-8-101, add (2.7) and (2.8) as follows:
Page 2, Line 318-8-101. Definitions. As used in this article 8, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 2, Line 4(2.7) "Public safety emergency call center" means any
Page 2, Line 5public entity that provides emergency response services to the public, including, but not limited to, 911 dispatch centers.
Page 2, Line 6(2.8) "Public safety entity" means a law enforcement
Page 2, Line 7agency, fire department, emergency medical services provider, or any other public organization responsible for public safety.
Page 2, Line 8SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-8-102, amend (1) as follows:
Page 2, Line 918-8-102. Obstructing government operations. (1) (a) A person
Page 2, Line 10commits obstructing government operations if
hePage 2, Line 11intentionally obstructs, impairs, or hinders the performance of a
Page 2, Line 12governmental function by a public servant by using or threatening to use violence, force, or physical interference or obstacle.
Page 2, Line 13(b) (I) A person commits obstructing government
Page 2, Line 14operations if the person repeatedly contacts a public safety
Page 2, Line 15emergency call center or public safety entity after an employee
Page 2, Line 16of the public safety emergency call center or public safety
Page 2, Line 17entity provides the person with a warning to stop contacting the center or entity without a justifiable basis.
Page 2, Line 18(II) The warning can be delivered verbally, via text message, or in writing.
Page 2, Line 19SECTION 3. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act
Page 3, Line 1takes effect October 1, 2025; except that, if a referendum petition is filed
Page 3, Line 2pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the state constitution against this
Page 3, Line 3act or an item, section, or part of this act within the ninety-day period
Page 3, Line 4after final adjournment of the general assembly, then the act, item,
Page 3, Line 5section, or part will not take effect unless approved by the people at the
Page 3, Line 6general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take
Page 3, Line 7effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.