Senate Committee of Reference Report
Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs
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All text that will be removed from the bill will be indicated by strikethrough as follows:
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This is text that is removed from law. -
Text that is added to a bill will be indicated by either all capitals or bold & italic as follows:
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April 9, 2026
After consideration on the merits, the Committee recommends the following:
HB26-1113 be amended as follows, and as so amended, be referred to the Committee on Appropriations with favorable recommendation:
Page 1, Line 1Amend reengrossed bill, page 4, line 3, strike "(49.3)(c), and (49.9);" and
Page 1, Line 2substitute "(49.9), and (51);".
Page 1, Line 3Page 5, strike lines 10 through 16.
Page 1, Line 4Page 5, after line 21 insert:
Page 1, Line 5"(51) "Watcher" means an eligible elector other than a candidate
Page 1, Line 6on the ballot who has been selected by a political party chairperson on
Page 1, Line 7behalf of the political party; by a party candidate at a primary election, by
Page 1, Line 8an unaffiliated candidate at a general, congressional vacancy, or
Page 1, Line 9nonpartisan election; or by a person designated by either the opponents
Page 1, Line 10or the proponents in the case of a ballot issue or ballot question.
Page 1, Line 11"Watcher" also means an eligible elector selected by a candidate on the
Page 1, Line 12ballot for the office of United States senator, representative in congress,
Page 1, Line 13any state office or district office of state concern, or any county office
Page 1, Line 14who is subject to a recount. If selected by a political party chairperson or
Page 1, Line 15a party candidate, the watcher must be affiliated with that political party
Page 1, Line 16or unaffiliated as shown in the statewide voter registration system. If
Page 1, Line 17selected by an unaffiliated candidate, the watcher must be unaffiliated as
Page 1, Line 18shown in the statewide voter registration system. A person shall not be
Page 1, Line 19selected as a watcher if the person has been convicted of any
Page 1, Line 20election offense specified in article 13 of this title 1 or any
Page 1, Line 21similar election offense in another state or has been convicted
Page 1, Line 22of committing or conspiracy to commit sedition, insurrection,
Page 1, Line 23treason, conspiracy to overthrow government by use of
Page 1, Line 24physical force or violence, or any similar federal offense.".
Page 1, Line 25Page 5, strike lines 22 through 27.
Page 2, Line 1Strike page 6.
Page 2, Line 2Page 7, strike lines 1 and 2.
Page 2, Line 3Page 7, after line 2 insert:
Page 2, Line 4"SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-1-107, add (2)(e)
Page 2, Line 5as follows:
Page 2, Line 61-1-107. Powers and duties of secretary of state - penalty.
Page 2, Line 7(2) In addition to any other powers prescribed by law, the
Page 2, Line 8secretary of state has the following powers:
Page 2, Line 9(e) (I) To, in consultation with the governor and, as
Page 2, Line 10practicable, the election emergency advisory group established
Page 2, Line 11in subsection (2)(e)(II) of this section, adopt rules as necessary
Page 2, Line 12for the proper administration of an election and to give effect
Page 2, Line 13to section 1-1-103 (1), if the governor declares a disaster
Page 2, Line 14emergency pursuant to section 24-33.5-704 (4) due to the
Page 2, Line 15inability to strictly comply with this code, including the
Page 2, Line 16suspension of any law pursuant to section 24-33.5-704 (7)(a).
Page 2, Line 17(II) If the governor declares a disaster emergency
Page 2, Line 18pursuant to section 24-33.5-704 (4) due to inability to strictly
Page 2, Line 19comply with this code, the governor shall establish the election
Page 2, Line 20emergency advisory group. The secretary of state and governor
Page 2, Line 21shall consult as practicable with the election emergency
Page 2, Line 22advisory group on emergency orders or rules that the
Page 2, Line 23secretary of state may adopt as may be necessary to ensure the
Page 2, Line 24proper administration of an election and to give effect to
Page 2, Line 25section 1-1-103 (1).
Page 2, Line 26(III) The election emergency advisory group consists of six
Page 2, Line 27members appointed as follows:
Page 2, Line 28(A) One representative from the governor's office,
Page 2, Line 29appointed by the governor;
Page 2, Line 30(B) One representative from the secretary of state's
Page 2, Line 31office, appointed by the secretary of state;
Page 2, Line 32(C) Two current or former county clerks from different
Page 2, Line 33major political parties, appointed by the governor in
Page 2, Line 34consultation with the secretary of state; and
Page 2, Line 35(D) Two individuals from different major political parties,
Page 2, Line 36with expertise on state or federal election law, administering
Page 2, Line 37elections, voting, or another relevant topic, appointed by the
Page 2, Line 38governor in consultation with the secretary of state.
Page 2, Line 39 (IV) This subsection (2)(e) is repealed, effective January 31,
Page 2, Line 402031.".
Page 3, Line 1Page 7, strike lines 18 through 27.
Page 3, Line 2Page 8, strike lines 1 through 9.
Page 3, Line 3Renumber succeeding sections accordingly.
Page 3, Line 4Page 12, line 6, strike "The" and substitute "Beginning January 1,
Page 3, Line 52027, the".
Page 3, Line 6Page 12, lines 7 and 8, strike "will be eighteen years of age on or
Page 3, Line 7before the next election" and substitute "is seventeen years and
Page 3, Line 8six months old".
Page 3, Line 9Page 12, line 11, strike "at any time during the".
Page 3, Line 10Page 12, strike line 12 and substitute "if the preregistrant provides
Page 3, Line 11their name, zip code, date of birth, and either the last four digits
Page 3, Line 12of their social security number or their driver's license or
Page 3, Line 13state-issued identification number.".
Page 3, Line 14Page 16, after line 8, insert:
Page 3, Line 15"SECTION 12. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 1-2-603 as
Page 3, Line 16follows:
Page 3, Line 171-2-603. Notification that elector has moved and registered in
Page 3, Line 18different county.
Page 3, Line 19(1) If the elector registers to vote in another county, the county
Page 3, Line 20clerk and recorder of the elector's new county of residence shall transfer
Page 3, Line 21the elector's registration record from the old county in accordance with
Page 3, Line 22the following requirements: if the elector provides a name and at
Page 3, Line 23least two of the following identifiers that match the elector's
Page 3, Line 24prior registration record: date of birth, prior residence, driver's
Page 3, Line 25license or identification card number, or last four digits of
Page 3, Line 26social security number.
Page 3, Line 27(a) If the elector provides a name, date of birth, and prior address
Page 3, Line 28and the county clerk and recorder can match the name, date of birth, and
Page 3, Line 29prior address to the elector's prior registration record, the elector's
Page 3, Line 30registration record shall be transferred from the old county.
Page 3, Line 31(b) If the elector provides a name and date of birth but does not
Page 3, Line 32provide a prior address, the elector's registration record shall be
Page 3, Line 33transferred from the old county only if:
Page 3, Line 34(I) The elector provides a driver's license or identification card
Page 3, Line 35number, and the county clerk and recorder of the new county of residence
Page 4, Line 1can match the name, date of birth, and driver's license or identification
Page 4, Line 2card number to the elector's prior registration record; or
Page 4, Line 3(II) The elector provides a social security number, and the county
Page 4, Line 4clerk and recorder of the new county of residence can match the name,
Page 4, Line 5date of birth, and social security number to the elector's prior registration
Page 4, Line 6record.
Page 4, Line 7(c) If the elector does not provide a prior address, driver's license
Page 4, Line 8number, or social security number, the registration record shall not be
Page 4, Line 9transferred from the old county unless the elector submits additional
Page 4, Line 10information that complies with the requirements of this subsection (1).
Page 4, Line 11The county clerk and recorder of the county of prior residence may send
Page 4, Line 12notice to the elector by forwardable mail to the elector's address of record.
Page 4, Line 13Any such notice shall have a returnable portion that has the return postage
Page 4, Line 14prepaid and is preaddressed to the sending county clerk and recorder, and
Page 4, Line 15shall include an area for the elector to indicate if the elector has moved
Page 4, Line 16to another county and wishes to have his or her registration record
Page 4, Line 17transferred from the old county.
Page 4, Line 18(2) If a county clerk and recorder receives a notice from the
Page 4, Line 19secretary of state or from an election official in another state that the
Page 4, Line 20elector has registered to vote in another state, the county clerk and
Page 4, Line 21recorder of the county of prior residence shall cancel the registration
Page 4, Line 22record if the name and birth date or the name and social security number
Page 4, Line 23of the elector match. and at least two of the following identifiers
Page 4, Line 24match: date of birth, prior residence, driver's license or
Page 4, Line 25identification card number, or last four digits of social security
Page 4, Line 26number.
Page 4, Line 27SECTION 13. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-2-604, amend
Page 4, Line 28(3)(a) as follows:
Page 4, Line 291-2-604. Cancellation of electors with multiple registrations.
Page 4, Line 30(3) (a) The county clerk and recorder may not cancel the
Page 4, Line 31registration record pursuant to subsection (1) of this section unless there
Page 4, Line 32is a match in the county's registration records and the statewide voter
Page 4, Line 33registration database with respect to, at a minimum, the following types
Page 4, Line 34of identifying information: elector's name and at least two of the
Page 4, Line 35following identifiers: date of birth, prior residence, driver's
Page 4, Line 36license or identification card number, or last four digits of
Page 4, Line 37social security number.
Page 4, Line 38(I) The elector's name, date of birth, and prior residence; or
Page 4, Line 39(II) The elector's name, date of birth, and driver's license number
Page 4, Line 40or social security number.".
Page 4, Line 41Renumber succeeding sections accordingly.
Page 4, Line 42
Page 5, Line 1Page 18, line 19, strike "(2)" and substitute "(2); and add (3)".
Page 5, Line 2Page 19, after line 14, insert:
Page 5, Line 3"(3) (a) Any vacancy in nomination which occurs after the
Page 5, Line 4date of the convention or committee described in this section
Page 5, Line 5shall be filled by the party in accordance with party rules.
Page 5, Line 6(b) When a vacancy in a party nomination is filled prior to
Page 5, Line 7the ballots being printed, the secretary of state shall direct
Page 5, Line 8each county clerk and recorder to print the name of the
Page 5, Line 9replacement candidate on the ballot.
Page 5, Line 10(c) When a vacancy in a party nomination is filled
Page 5, Line 11subsequent to the ballots being printed, the secretary of state
Page 5, Line 12shall direct each county clerk and recorder to:
Page 5, Line 13(I) Prominently post, on the designated election official's
Page 5, Line 14website and in each voter service and polling center, a notice of
Page 5, Line 15the vacancy and the name of the replacement candidate; and
Page 5, Line 16(II) Either print and place on the sample ballot, which is
Page 5, Line 17delivered to the election judges and posted pursuant to section
Page 5, Line 181-5-413, a sticker of a different color than the sample ballot
Page 5, Line 19indicating the name of the replacement candidate or reprint the
Page 5, Line 20sample ballot with the name of the replacement candidate in a
Page 5, Line 21different color.
Page 5, Line 22(d) Votes cast for the candidate who vacated the
Page 5, Line 23nomination must be counted as votes for the replacement
Page 5, Line 24candidate.".
Page 5, Line 25Page 36, lines 25 and 26, strike "Except as otherwise provided in
Page 5, Line 26subsection (1)(b) of this section, the" and substitute "Except as otherwise
Page 5, Line 27provided in subsection (1)(b) of this section, The".
Page 5, Line 28Page 37, line 3, after "commissioners," insert "acquire and".
Page 5, Line 29Page 37, strike lines 10 and 11 and substitute "of 1992", the governing
Page 5, Line 30body of any political subdivision shall, upon consultation with the
Page 5, Line 31designated".
Page 5, Line 32Page 37, line 16, strike "election county clerk and recorder, acquire
Page 5, Line 33and" and substitute "election.".
Page 5, Line 34Page 37, strike lines 17 through 19.
Page 5, Line 35Page 42, strike line 18 and substitute "reporting.".
Page 6, Line 1Page 43, line 16, strike "and".
Page 6, Line 2Page 43, line 17, strike "brief".
Page 6, Line 3Page 43, line 20, strike "likely cause of the back-ups or delays." and
Page 6, Line 4substitute "the known, probable, or possible cause of or causal
Page 6, Line 5factors that may have contributed to the back-ups or delays
Page 6, Line 6and determination of whether the cause or causal factors are
Page 6, Line 7reasonably likely to persist or reoccur at future elections.".
Page 6, Line 8Page 43, after line 20, insert:
Page 6, Line 9"(VIII) A remediation plan to avoid or minimize wait times
Page 6, Line 10exceeding one hour, which may include a proposal for additional
Page 6, Line 11voter service and polling centers or a proposal for the use of
Page 6, Line 12new sites for existing centers, additional check-in stations,
Page 6, Line 13voting booths, ballot marking devices and ballot on demand
Page 6, Line 14systems, printers or other equipment, additional staff or
Page 6, Line 15election judges, or changes in the allocation of duties among
Page 6, Line 16election judges and staff; and
Page 6, Line 17(IX) A description of the barriers, if any, that may prevent
Page 6, Line 18the county from ensuring all future center wait times do not
Page 6, Line 19exceed one hour.".
Page 6, Line 20Page 44, lines 2 and 3, strike "include in the plan, in addition to the
Page 6, Line 21information required by section 1-7.5-105 (1.3), the following:"
Page 6, Line 22and substitute "incorporate appropriate remediation steps into the
Page 6, Line 23plan.".
Page 6, Line 24Page 44, strike lines 4 through 27.
Page 6, Line 25Page 45, strike lines 1 through 4.
Page 6, Line 26Page 46, after line 8, insert:
Page 6, Line 27"SECTION 50. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 1-7-803 as
Page 6, Line 28follows:
Page 6, Line 291-7-803. Custody and lawful transfer of election
Page 6, Line 30records. (1) A designated election official must not transfer
Page 6, Line 31custody or control of election records or other election
Page 6, Line 32materials, as designated by the secretary of state, to a third
Page 6, Line 33party unless the transfer is authorized or required by the
Page 6, Line 34secretary of state or a mandatory legal obligation imposed by
Page 7, Line 1a court of competent jurisdiction.
Page 7, Line 2(2) The secretary of state may adopt rules as necessary
Page 7, Line 3to administer and enforce this section, including rules
Page 7, Line 4regarding the creation of an inventory of election records or
Page 7, Line 5election materials transferred due to a mandatory legal
Page 7, Line 6obligation imposed by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Page 7, Line 7(3) Nothing in this section alters or amends the
Page 7, Line 8requirements or limitations for or any duties of a designated
Page 7, Line 9election official with respect to the disclosure of public records
Page 7, Line 10as set forth in the "Colorado Open Records Act", section
Page 7, Line 1124-72-200.1 et seq.".
Page 7, Line 12Renumber succeeding sections accordingly.
Page 7, Line 13Page 53, strike lines 21 through 27.
Page 7, Line 14Page 54, strikes lines 1 through 6.
Page 7, Line 15Renumber succeeding sections accordingly.
Page 7, Line 16Page 56, after line 19, insert:
Page 7, Line 17"SECTION 62. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 1-13-711
Page 7, Line 18as follows:
Page 7, Line 191-13-711. Interference with voter while voting.
Page 7, Line 20Any person who interferes with any voter who is inside the
Page 7, Line 21immediate voting area, within one hundred feet of any building in
Page 7, Line 22which a polling location or drop-off location is located, or
Page 7, Line 23within one hundred feet of a drop box or is marking a ballot or
Page 7, Line 24operating a voting device or electronic voting device at any election
Page 7, Line 25provided by law upon conviction shall be punished as provided in section
Page 7, Line 261-13-111.
Page 7, Line 27SECTION 63. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 1-13-713
Page 7, Line 28as follows:
Page 7, Line 291-13-713. Intimidation.
Page 7, Line 30It is unlawful for any person directly or indirectly, by himself or
Page 7, Line 31herself or by any other person in his or her behalf, to recklessly
Page 7, Line 32impede, prevent, make a credible threat, menace, intimidate, or
Page 7, Line 33otherwise interfere with the free exercise of the elective franchise of any
Page 7, Line 34elector, including any elector who is delivering no more than ten
Page 7, Line 35mail ballots to a drop box or drop-off-location designated by
Page 7, Line 36the county clerk and recorder or designated election official,
Page 7, Line 37or to compel, induce, or prevail upon any elector either to give or refrain
Page 8, Line 1from giving the elector's vote at any election provided by law or to give
Page 8, Line 2or refrain from giving the elector's vote for any particular person or
Page 8, Line 3measure at any such election. Each such offense is a class 1
Page 8, Line 4misdemeanor.
Page 8, Line 5SECTION 64. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-13-724, amend
Page 8, Line 6(4) as follows:
Page 8, Line 71-13-724. Unlawfully carrying a firearm at a polling location
Page 8, Line 8or drop box - exception - legislative declaration.
Page 8, Line 9(4) This section does not apply to a peace officer, as described in
Page 8, Line 10section 16-2.5-101, acting within the scope of the peace officer's
Page 8, Line 11authority and in the performance of the peace officer's lawful duties,
Page 8, Line 12except as otherwise provided in sections 1-13-713 and 1-13-726.".
Page 8, Line 13Renumber succeeding sections accordingly.
Page 8, Line 14Page 58, after line 2 insert:
Page 8, Line 15"SECTION 66. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-13-726, amend
Page 8, Line 16(3) introductory portion and (6)(b); and add (3)(b.5), (5)(e), (5)(f) as
Page 8, Line 17follows:
Page 8, Line 181-13-726. Intimidation of voters or election officials - civil
Page 8, Line 19enforcement - short title - definitions.
Page 8, Line 20(3) Election-related intimidation prohibited. An individual,
Page 8, Line 21whether acting under color of law or otherwise, shall not recklessly
Page 8, Line 22intimidate, threaten make a credible threat, or coerce or attempt to
Page 8, Line 23recklessly intimidate, threaten make a credible threat, or coerce,
Page 8, Line 24directly or indirectly, any individual for any of the following:
Page 8, Line 25(b.5) Delivering no more than ten mail ballots to a drop
Page 8, Line 26box or drop-off location designated by the county clerk and
Page 8, Line 27recorder or designated election official;
Page 8, Line 28(5) Right to enforce.
Page 8, Line 29(e) A district court that has jurisdiction over any suit
Page 8, Line 30brought pursuant to this section must expedite consideration of
Page 8, Line 31the suit and conduct a forthwith hearing thereon. A district
Page 8, Line 32court may order such equitable relief as is warranted by the
Page 8, Line 33facts and applicable law and do so on an emergency basis if
Page 8, Line 34warranted.
Page 8, Line 35(f) If, at the time of filing the complaint, an individual
Page 8, Line 36defendant cannot be identified by name because the individual
Page 8, Line 37was wearing a mask or other disguise or refused to provide
Page 8, Line 38identifying information including the name of the individual's
Page 8, Line 39employer, whether an organization or government agency, the
Page 8, Line 40plaintiff may name the unknown individual and the individual's
Page 9, Line 1employer as defendants in the complaint filed pursuant to this
Page 9, Line 2section.
Page 9, Line 3(6) Relief.
Page 9, Line 4(b) To prevail in a suit to enforce subsection (3) of this section,
Page 9, Line 5a plaintiff is not required to prove that a defendant intended to intimidate,
Page 9, Line 6threaten, or coerce any individual, except to prove an that a
Page 9, Line 7defendant's acts constituted a reckless attempt to, directly or
Page 9, Line 8indirectly, intimidate, threaten, or coerce a person in voting or to
Page 9, Line 9refrain from voting or in delivering no more than ten ballots
Page 9, Line 10to a drop box or drop-off location designated by a county clerk
Page 9, Line 11or designated election official. A court may nonetheless consider
Page 9, Line 12evidence of intent in determining the appropriate relief and shall
Page 9, Line 13retain jurisdiction over any attempts by the named defendants
Page 9, Line 14to intimidate, threaten, or coerce voting at the location or
Page 9, Line 15locations identified in a suit through the date of the relevant
Page 9, Line 16election.".
Page 9, Line 17Renumber succeeding sections accordingly.
Page 9, Line 18Page 60, after line 8 insert:
Page 9, Line 19"SECTION 70. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-33.5-703,
Page 9, Line 20amend (3) as follows:
Page 9, Line 2124-33.5-703. Definitions.
Page 9, Line 22(3) (a) "Disaster" means the occurrence or imminent threat of
Page 9, Line 23widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting
Page 9, Line 24from any natural cause or cause of human origin, including but not
Page 9, Line 25limited to fire; flood; earthquake; wind; storm; wave action; hazardous
Page 9, Line 26substance incident; oil spill or other water contamination requiring
Page 9, Line 27emergency action to avert danger or damage; volcanic activity; epidemic;
Page 9, Line 28air pollution; blight; drought; infestation; explosion; civil disturbance;
Page 9, Line 29hostile military or paramilitary action; a market disruption, including a
Page 9, Line 30trade disruption or an atypical disruption in the market that affects
Page 9, Line 31production, distribution, or consumption of a product or service; or a
Page 9, Line 32condition of riot, insurrection, or invasion existing in the state or in any
Page 9, Line 33county, city, town, or district in the state.
Page 9, Line 34(b) (I) "Disaster" also means the occurrence or imminent
Page 9, Line 35threat of the inability to strictly comply with provisions of the
Page 9, Line 36"Uniform Election Code of 1992", articles 1 to 13 of title 1, from
Page 9, Line 37any natural cause or cause of human origin.
Page 9, Line 38(II) This subsection (3)(b) is repealed, effective January 31,
Page 9, Line 392031.".
Page 9, Line 40Renumber succeeding sections accordingly.
Page 10, Line 1Page 60, after line 23, insert:
Page 10, Line 2"SECTION 72. Effective date. This act takes effect upon
Page 10, Line 3passage; except that sections 1-7.5-107 (3)(a)(I) and 1-7.5-107 (3)(a)(II),
Page 10, Line 4Colorado Revised Statutes, amended in section 50 of this act, take effect
Page 10, Line 5July 1, 2026.".
Page 10, Line 6Renumber succeeding sections accordingly.