BY SENATOR(S) Catlin and Roberts, Bridges, Carson, Daugherty, Frizell, Jodeh, Kipp, Liston, Marchman, Michaelson Jenet, Mullica, Pelton B., Pelton R., Snyder;
also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Clifford and Armagost, Bird, Boesenecker, Caldwell, Duran, Espenoza, Johnson, Keltie, Lindstedt, Lukens, Marshall, Phillips, Taggart, McCluskie.
Concerning expanding the crime of obstructing government operations to include the repeated calling of public safety emergency entities without justifiable cause.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-8-101, add (2.7) and (2.8) as follows:
18-8-101. Definitions. As used in this article 8, unless the context otherwise requires:
(2.7) "Public safety emergency call center" means any public entity that provides emergency response services to the public, including, but not limited to, 911 dispatch centers.
(2.8) "Public safety entity" means a law enforcement agency, fire department, fire district, emergency medical services provider, or any other public organization responsible for public safety.
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-8-102, amend (1) as follows:
18-8-102. Obstructing government operations. (1) (a) A person commits obstructing government operations if hethe person intentionally obstructs, impairs, or hinders the performance of a governmental function by a public servant by using or threatening to use violence, force, or physical interference or obstacle.
(b) A person commits obstructing government operations if the person repeatedly contacts or calls a public safety emergency call center or public safety entity and the contact or call is not for the legitimate reporting of a public safety concern, to report an emergency, or to seek assistance.
SECTION 3. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act takes effect October 1, 2025; 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 the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly, 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.
Signed By: James Rashad Coleman, Sr., President of the Senate
Signed By: Julie McCluskie, Speaker of the House of Representatives
Signed By: Esther van Mourik, Secretary of the Senate
Signed By: Vanessa Reilly, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives
Signed By: Jared S. Polis, Governor of the State of Colorado