House Bill 25-1065

BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Barron and Marshall, Camacho, Phillips, Clifford, Duran, Garcia, Hamrick, Jackson, Lieder, Lindsay, Mabrey, Ricks, Smith, Story;

also SENATOR(S) Frizell, Amabile, Bright, Catlin, Kirkmeyer, Liston, Lundeen, Pelton B., Rich.

Concerning an opt-out from jury service for certain people, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 13-71-119.5, add (2.7)       as follows:

13-71-119.5.  Persons entitled to be excused from or to opt out of jury service - temporary or permanent. (2.7) (a) (I)  Beginning January 1, 2026, a judge or jury commissioner of the court to which a person is summoned for jury service shall allow a person who is seventy-two years of age or older, as of the beginning date of jury service stated on the juror summons, to temporarily opt out of jury service if the person requests to temporarily opt out of jury service.

(II)  A person who temporarily opts out pursuant to this subsection (2.7)(a) is eligible for juror qualification when the temporary opt-out expires, as determined by the court.

(b)  Notwithstanding subsection (2.7)(a) of this section, beginning January 1, 2026, a judge or jury commissioner of the court to which a person is summoned for jury service shall allow a person who is seventy-two years of age or older, as of the beginning date of jury service stated on the juror summons, to permanently opt out of jury service if the person requests to permanently opt out of jury service.

(c)  The judge or jury commissioner of the court to which a person is summoned for jury service may require the person who requests either a temporary or permanent opt-out from jury service pursuant to this subsection (2.7) to provide a document demonstrating eligibility for the opt-out from jury service pursuant to this subsection (2.7). A document provided pursuant to this subsection (2.7) is not a public record and must not be disclosed to the public.

(d)  A person who requests a temporary or permanent opt- out from jury service pursuant to this subsection (2.7) shall take all actions necessary to obtain a determination regarding the request before the date on which the person is scheduled to appear for jury service.

SECTION 2.  Appropriation. (1)  For the 2025-26 state fiscal year, $10,066 is appropriated to the judicial department for use by the state courts. This appropriation is from the general fund. To implement this act, the state courts may use this appropriation as follows:

(a)  $2,000 for use by state courts administration for information technology infrastructure; and

(b)  $8,066 for use by the trial courts for court costs, jury costs, court-appointed counsel, and reimbursements for vacated convictions.

SECTION 3.  Act subject to petition - effective date. This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.