ColoradoFairness & Transparency in Municipal Court
What it does
The act clarifies that municipal court defendants have a right to counsel and that municipal defense counsel have the same notice requirements, case information, and opportunity to meet with their clients as do state-level defense counsel. Current law prohibits paying indigent municipal defense counsel on a fixed or flat-fee payment structure if the municipality prosecutes domestic violence cases. The act applies the prohibition to all municipalities and allows a flat fee arrangement if the flat fee is the same or higher than a resulting fee based on hourly compensation.
More detail
Current law requires municipal court proceedings to be open to public observation. The act requires virtual observation for all in-custody proceedings and prompt resolution of municipal cases.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Where do you stand?
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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
- Apr 27Governor Jared Polis SignedBecame Law
- Apr 16Signed by the Speaker of the HouseMajor
- Apr 16Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- Apr 16Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 31Senate Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed Senate
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 30Senate Second Reading Passed - No AmendmentsMinor
- Mar 25Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1134 to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 10Introduced In Senate - Assigned to JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 3House Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed House
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 2House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
- Feb 25House Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to House Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1134, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment D). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 4Introduced In House - Assigned to JudiciaryIntroduced