ColoradoColorimetric Field Drug Tests in Drug Possessions
What it does
Under current law, a person may be arrested and detained for level 1 drug misdemeanor possession. The act requires that when a colorimetric field drug test was used to test for the presence of a controlled substance and a person is solely suspected of a level 1 drug misdemeanor for possession or solely suspected of a municipal drug possession charge, a peace officer shall not arrest the person and instead shall issue a summons. The act also requires that when a colorimetric field drug test was used, before accepting a plea from a person charged with a drug possession for level 4 drug felony possession and lower, the trial court is required to issue an advisement with specified language, including language stating that colorimetric field drug tests have known error rates and that the defendant has the right to enter a not guilty plea and to request drug testing from an accredited forensic laboratory.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
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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
- Mar 26Governor Jared Polis SignedBecame Law
- Mar 17Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- Mar 17Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 16Signed by the Speaker of the HouseMajor
- Mar 6Senate Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed Senate
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5Senate Second Reading Passed - No AmendmentsMinor
- Mar 2Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1020 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 17Introduced In Senate - Assigned to JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 10House Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed House
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 9House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
- Feb 4House Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to House Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1020, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment A). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 14Introduced In House - Assigned to JudiciaryIntroduced