ColoradoFederally Recognized Tribes & Construction of Laws
What it does
Current Colorado laws do not always expressly provide whether the laws apply to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe or the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (Tribes). The act creates a rule of construction that a law does not apply to the Tribes unless the law clearly and expressly states that the law applies to the Tribes.
More detail
The act further clarifies that if the general assembly enacts a new law or materially amends an existing law that is silent as to its application to the Tribes or to tribally controlled entities; purports to apply statewide; or grants a governmental agency or entity civil, criminal, or regulatory authority, it is presumed that the law does not apply within the exterior boundaries of the reservations to the Tribes, including the Tribes' officials and employees acting in their official capacities, to a tribally controlled entity, or to Tribal lands.
The act reinforces that these rules of construction do not:
Preclude or limit the authority of the Tribes' governing bodies from requesting inclusion in legislation pending before the general assembly; Abrogate the sovereign immunity of the state or the Tribes; or Affect the rights of the state, the Tribes, or other persons to pursue legal remedies that may be available to contest the application of laws passed by the general assembly.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- May 28Governor Jared Polis SignedBecame Law
- May 12Signed by the President of the Senate
- May 12Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 12Signed by the Speaker of the House
- May 2Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
- Vote recorded REPASS. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded CONCUR. Result: pass.Upper
- May 1House Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed House
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 30House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
- Apr 29House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Refer Amended to House Committee of the WholeMinor
- Mar 25Introduced In House - Assigned to State, Civic, Military, & Veterans AffairsMinor
- Mar 21Senate Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed Senate
- Vote recorded AMEND. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 20Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - CommitteeMinor
- Mar 17Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the WholeMinor
- Jan 21Introduced In Senate - Assigned to JudiciaryIntroduced