ColoradoColorado agencies must share data on crime-linked firearms
Colorado agencies must join a federal firearm tracing system and report most recovered firearms within 90 days, subject to stated exceptions and the act's effective date.
What it does
Colorado law requires each law enforcement agency to register for the federal firearm tracing system and join its shared-data feature, with exceptions for certain agencies that already have access.
When a covered agency recovers or confiscates a firearm, it must send relevant information to the federal tracing system, except for firearms voluntarily given up or found unrelated to crime.
Argument forSharing details about crime-linked firearms could help agencies connect cases and spot trafficking across local boundaries.
Argument againstAgencies may need to spend staff time gathering and sending firearm information within 90 days, even while an investigation is underway.
More detail
Each covered agency must register for the federal tracing system and opt in to its shared-data feature. The requirement applies to each law enforcement agency in Colorado. This requirement does not apply if an agency already has a relationship with another agency that lets it submit firearms through the system. The Colorado State Patrol and Colorado Bureau of Investigation are also exempt. Agencies must register and opt in by September 1, 2026. The act is scheduled to take effect August 12, 2026, unless a referendum petition delays it.
Covered agencies must send relevant information about recovered or confiscated firearms to the federal tracing system. This applies to law enforcement agencies with original authority over a firearms-related crime investigation, including police departments, sheriff's offices, campus police, town marshals, and certain police officers. Agencies do not have to report firearms voluntarily given up or firearms they determine are unrelated to a criminal investigation or criminal activity. The agency must send the information as soon as practical and no later than 90 days after recovering or confiscating the firearm.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 1Governor Jared Polis SignedBecame Law
- May 29Signed by the Speaker of the HouseMajor
- May 29Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- May 29Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- Apr 14Senate Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed Senate
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 13Senate Second Reading Passed - No AmendmentsMinor
- Apr 10Senate Second Reading Laid Over to 04/13/2026 - No Amendments
- Apr 7Senate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1265 to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 12Introduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military AffairsMinor
- Mar 9House Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed House
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 6House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
- Mar 5House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
- Mar 2House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Refer Amended to House Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1265, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment A). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 19Introduced In House - Assigned to State, Civic, Military, & Veterans AffairsIntroduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety