Colorado Bill Repeals Judicial Approval for Minors to Marry

Detected March 21st, 2026

Summary

Colorado Senate Bill 26-048 proposes to repeal the exception allowing minors aged 16 or 17 to marry with judicial approval. If enacted, this bill would require all individuals to be at least 18 years old to obtain a marriage license in Colorado.

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What changed

Colorado Senate Bill 26-048, introduced for the 2026 Regular Session, seeks to amend existing law by removing the provision that permits individuals aged 16 or 17 to obtain a marriage license with judicial approval. Currently, Colorado law requires individuals to be 18 years old to marry, with a specific exception for minors who can secure judicial consent. This bill, if passed, would eliminate that exception, thereby raising the minimum age for marriage in Colorado to 18 without any exceptions for judicial approval.

This legislative change will directly impact the ability of minors aged 16 and 17 to marry in Colorado, as they will no longer be able to seek court authorization. Courts and legal professionals involved in family law will need to be aware of this change. While the bill is currently under consideration, its passage would necessitate updated procedures for marriage license applications and potentially affect related family law matters concerning minors. The bill is scheduled for a Senate General Orders hearing on March 24, 2026.

What to do next

Monitor legislative status of SB26-048
Update internal guidance on marriage license requirements if enacted

Source document (simplified)

SB26-048

Remove Exception to Marry with Judicial Approval

| Type | Bill |
| --- | --- |
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects | Children & Domestic Matters |
Concerning removing the exception that authorizes a minor who is sixteen years old or older to marry with judicial approval.

Recent Bill (PDF) Recent Fiscal Note (PDF) Bill Summary:

Current law requires an individual to be at least 18 years old in order to obtain a marriage license; except that a minor who is 16 or 17 years old may obtain a marriage license with judicial approval. The bill repeals this exception, therefore requiring that an individual be at least 18 years old to obtain a marriage license.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Prime Sponsors

Senator

Nick Hinrichsen
Senator

Janice Marchman
Representative

Junie Joseph

Committees

Senate

State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Appropriations

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Status

Under Consideration

Introduced

Under Consideration

Upcoming Schedule

1 meeting

Tue

Mar 24

Senate General Orders - Second Reading of Bills

9:00 AM Senate Chamber

Related Documents & Information

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 01/27/2026 | Introduced | PDF |

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 03/20/2026 | PA1 | PDF |

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 02/04/2026 | Initial Fiscal Note | PDF |

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 03/18/2026 | SA1 | PDF |

| Activity | Vote | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Adopt amendment J.001 | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Refer Senate Bill 26-048, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 4-3. | Vote summary |
Hearing Summary | Committee Report: PDF
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Refer Senate Bill 26-048 to the Committee on Appropriations. | The motion passed on a vote of 3-2. | Vote summary |
Hearing Summary | Committee Report: PDF
| Date | Amendment Number | Committee/ Floor Hearing | Status | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 03/20/2026 | J.001 | SEN Appropriations | Passed [*] | PDF |
* Amendments passed in committee are not incorporated into the measure unless adopted by the full House or Senate.

** The status of Second Reading amendments may be subsequently affected by the adoption of an amendment to the Committee of the Whole Report. Refer to the House or Senate Journal for additional information.

| Date | Location | Action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 03/20/2026 | Senate | Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole |
| 02/17/2026 | Senate | Senate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Refer Unamended to Appropriations |
| 01/27/2026 | Senate | Introduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military Affairs |
Prime Sponsor

Sen. N. Hinrichsen | Sen. J. Marchman

Rep. J. Joseph

Sponsor

(None) Co-Sponsor

(None)