Senate Bill 26-013 Introduced

A Bill for an Act

• Page 1, Line 101Concerning cohabitation as a means to commit the offense of

• Page 1, Line 102bigamy.

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 excludes cohabitation as a possible element of bigamy.

• Page 1, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

• Page 1, Line 2SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-6-201, amend (1)

• Page 2, Line 1introductory portion and (1.5) introductory portion as follows:

• Page 2, Line 218-6-201.  Bigamy.

• Page 2, Line 3(1)  Any A married person who, while still married, marries or

• Page 2, Line 4enters into a civil union or cohabits in this state with another person

• Page 2, Line 5commits bigamy, unless as an affirmative defense it appears that at the

• Page 2, Line 6time of the cohabitation, subsequent marriage or subsequent civil union:

• Page 2, Line 7(1.5)  Any A person who is a partner in a civil union, while still

• Page 2, Line 8legally in a civil union, who marries or enters into another civil union or

• Page 2, Line 9cohabits in the state with another person other than a current partner in a

• Page 2, Line 10civil union commits bigamy, unless as an affirmative defense it appears

• Page 2, Line 11that at the time of the cohabitation or subsequent marriage or subsequent

• Page 2, Line 12civil union:

• Page 2, Line 13SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, repeal 18-6-203 as

• Page 2, Line 14follows:

• Page 2, Line 1518-6-203.  Definitions.

• Page 2, Line 16As used in section 18-6-201, "cohabitation" means to live together

• Page 2, Line 17under the representation of being married.

• Page 2, Line 18SECTION 3.  Act subject to petition - effective date. This act

• Page 2, Line 19takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the

• Page 2, Line 20ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August

• Page 2, Line 2112, 2026, if adjournment sine die is on May 13, 2026); except that, if a

• Page 2, Line 22referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the

• Page 2, Line 23state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act

• Page 2, Line 24within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect

• Page 2, Line 25unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in

• Page 2, Line 26November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the

• Page 2, Line 27official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.