A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning changes to the definition of a general election
Page 1, Line 102for the purpose of submitting a question to the voters
Page 1, Line 103to allow firefighters to collectively bargain with
Page 1, Line 104their public employers.
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.)
Current law allows voters to circulate a petition for a ballot question requiring a local government to engage in collective bargaining with the fire department for the local government and extend coverage of the "Colorado Firefighter Safety Act" to firefighters employed by the local government (question). The question may be added to the ballot for any general election, defined as a general municipal election, regular special district board election, statewide primary election, or statewide general election. The bill changes the definition of a general election for the purpose of determining when a question may be added to the ballot to include a statewide general election in an odd-numbered year only if it qualifies as a coordinated election, as defined in the "Uniform Election Code of 1992".
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 29-5-203, amend
Page 2, Line 3(11) as follows:
Page 2, Line 429-5-203. Definitions.
Page 2, Line 5As used in this part 2, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 2, Line 6(11) "General election" means a general municipal election,
Page 2, Line 7regular special district board election, statewide primary election, or
Page 2, Line 8statewide general election as defined in section 1-12-100.5 (7.5), so
Page 2, Line 9long as an election held on the first Tuesday of November in an
Page 2, Line 10odd-numbered year qualifies as a coordinated election as
Page 2, Line 11defined in section 1-1-104 (6.5).
Page 2, Line 12SECTION 2. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act
Page 2, Line 13takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the
Page 2, Line 14ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August
Page 2, Line 1512, 2026, if adjournment sine die is on May 13, 2026); except that, if a
Page 2, Line 16referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the
Page 2, Line 17state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act
Page 2, Line 18within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect
Page 2, Line 19unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in
Page 3, Line 1November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the
Page 3, Line 2official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.