A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning an opt-out from jury service for certain people,
Page 1, Line 102and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.
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 allows a person who is 70 years of age or older to choose to temporarily or permanently opt out of jury service.
The bill allows a person who is out of the state because they are actively enrolled full-time at an out-of-state institution of higher education or because they are working for an extended period of time out of the state to choose to temporarily opt out of jury service.
The judge or jury commissioner may require documentation in support of the opt-out of jury service.
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 13-71-119.5, add (2.7) as follows:
Page 2, Line 313-71-119.5. Persons entitled to be excused from or to opt out
Page 2, Line 4of jury service - temporary or permanent. (2.7) (a) (I) Beginning
Page 2, Line 5January 1, 2026, a judge or jury commissioner of the court to
Page 2, Line 6which a person is summoned for jury service shall allow a
Page 2, Line 7person who is seventy-two years of age or older, as of the
Page 2, Line 8beginning date of jury service stated on the juror summons, to
Page 2, Line 9temporarily opt out of jury service if the person requests to temporarily opt out of jury service.
Page 2, Line 10(II) A person who temporarily opts out pursuant to this
Page 2, Line 11subsection (2.7)(a) is eligible for juror qualification when the temporary opt-out expires, as determined by the court.
Page 2, Line 12(b) Notwithstanding subsection (2.7)(a) of this section,
Page 2, Line 13beginning January 1, 2026, a judge or jury commissioner of the
Page 2, Line 14court to which a person is summoned for jury service shall
Page 2, Line 15allow a person who is seventy-two years of age or older, as of
Page 2, Line 16the beginning date of jury service stated on the juror summons,
Page 2, Line 17to permanently opt out of jury service if the person requests to permanently opt out of jury service.
Page 2, Line 18(c) The judge or jury commissioner of the court to which
Page 2, Line 19a person is summoned for jury service may require the person
Page 2, Line 20who requests either a temporary or permanent opt-out from
Page 2, Line 21jury service pursuant to this subsection (2.7) to provide a
Page 3, Line 1document demonstrating eligibility for the opt-out from jury
Page 3, Line 2service pursuant to this subsection (2.7). A document provided
Page 3, Line 3pursuant to this subsection (2.7) is not a public record and must not be disclosed to the public.
Page 3, Line 4(d) A person who requests a temporary or permanent opt-
Page 3, Line 5out from jury service pursuant to this subsection (2.7) shall
Page 3, Line 6take all actions necessary to obtain a determination regarding
Page 3, Line 7the request before the date on which the person is scheduled to appear for jury service.
Page 3, Line 9SECTION 2. Appropriation. (1) For the 2025-26 state fiscal
Page 3, Line 10year, $10,066 is appropriated to the judicial department for use by the
Page 3, Line 11state courts. This appropriation is from the general fund. To implement this act, the state courts may use this appropriation as follows:
Page 3, Line 12(a) $2,000 for use by state courts administration for information technology infrastructure; and
Page 3, Line 13(b) $8,066 for use by the trial courts for court costs, jury costs, court-appointed counsel, and reimbursements for vacated convictions.
Page 3, Line 14SECTION 3. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act
Page 3, Line 15takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the
Page 3, Line 16ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except
Page 3, Line 17that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V
Page 3, Line 18of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this
Page 3, Line 19act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take
Page 3, Line 20effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in
Page 3, Line 21November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the
Page 3, Line 22official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.