Colorado Bill: Search Warrant Process for Covered Platforms

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

Colorado's SB26-011 requires operators of certain online platforms to establish a streamlined process for law enforcement to contact them regarding search warrants. The bill mandates a staffed hotline, acknowledgment of receipt within 8 hours, and compliance with warrants within 72 hours, with enforcement by the Attorney General or district attorneys.

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What changed

Colorado Senate Bill SB26-011 introduces new requirements for operators of "covered platforms" (websites, online services, applications) within the state. The bill mandates the establishment of a dedicated process for Colorado law enforcement agencies to contact these platforms at all times for search warrant-related inquiries. Key provisions include a staffed hotline, acknowledgment of search warrant receipt within 8 hours, and a general compliance deadline of 72 hours for executing a warrant, though courts may grant extensions for good cause.

Covered platforms and their operators must implement these procedures to avoid potential findings of contempt of court. The bill is enforceable by the Colorado Attorney General or any district attorney with jurisdiction. This legislation will require technology companies operating in Colorado to review and potentially revise their existing protocols for handling law enforcement requests, ensuring they meet the specified response and compliance timelines.

What to do next

Review SB26-011 to determine if operations fall under the definition of a "covered platform".
Establish or update procedures to ensure a 24/7 contact point for Colorado law enforcement regarding search warrants.
Implement processes for acknowledging search warrants within 8 hours and complying within 72 hours, or documenting good cause for extensions.

Penalties

Failure to comply with a court-ordered search warrant supports a finding of contempt of court.

Source document (simplified)

SB26-011

Search Warrants Provided to Covered Platforms

| Type | Bill |
| --- | --- |
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects | Crimes, Corrections, & Enforcement |
Concerning search warrant requirements for operators of certain electronic platforms.

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

The bill requires operators of certain websites, online services, online applications, or mobile applications (covered platforms) to ensure that each covered platform provides a streamlined process to allow Colorado law enforcement agencies to contact the covered platform at all times. The process must, at a minimum, make available a staffed hotline for Colorado law enforcement agencies for the purposes of:

Receiving and responding to questions about search warrants;
Acknowledging the receipt of a search warrant within 8 hours after receipt; and
Providing status updates on search warrant compliance to a requesting Colorado law enforcement agency. An operator must comply with a search warrant within 72 hours after receiving the search warrant if certain conditions apply. A court may reasonably extend this time if the court makes a written finding that the operator or covered platform has shown good cause for the extension and that an extension would not cause an adverse result. The failure of an operator or a covered platform to comply with the requirements of a court-ordered search warrant supports a finding of contempt of court.

The attorney general or a district attorney with jurisdiction may enforce the bill.

(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Prime Sponsors

Senator

Lisa Frizell
Senator

Dylan Roberts
Representative

Andrew Boesenecker
Representative

Jarvis Caldwell

Committees

Senate

Judiciary

House

Judiciary

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Status

Under Consideration

Introduced

Under Consideration

Related Documents & Information

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 03/16/2026 | Rerevised | PDF |
| 03/13/2026 | Revised | PDF |
| 02/18/2026 | Reengrossed | PDF |
| 02/17/2026 | Engrossed | PDF |
| 01/14/2026 | Introduced | PDF |

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 02/12/2026 | PA1 | PDF |

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 03/03/2026 | First Revised Fiscal Note | PDF |
| 01/29/2026 | Initial Fiscal Note | PDF |

| Activity | Vote | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Refer Senate Bill 26-011 to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 11-0. | Vote summary |
Hearing Summary | Committee Report: PDF
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment C) | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment D) | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Adopt amendment L.004 (Attachment E) | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Adopt amendment L.005 (Attachment F) | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Refer Senate Bill 26-011, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. | The motion passed on a vote of 7-0. | Vote summary |
Hearing Summary | Committee Report: PDF
| Date | Calendar | Motion | Vote | Vote Document |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 03/16/2026 | Third Reading | BILL | 57 AYE 5 NO 3 OTHER | Vote record |

| Date | Calendar | Motion | Vote | Vote Document |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 02/18/2026 | Third Reading | BILL | 31 AYE 2 NO 1 OTHER | Vote record |

| Date | Amendment Number | Committee/ Floor Hearing | Status | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 03/13/2026 | L.011 | Second Reading | Passed [] | PDF |
| 03/13/2026 | L.009 | Second Reading | Passed [] | PDF |
| 02/11/2026 | L.005 | SEN Judiciary | Passed [] | PDF |
| 02/11/2026 | L.004 | SEN Judiciary | Passed [] | PDF |
| 02/11/2026 | L.003 | SEN Judiciary | Passed [] | PDF |
| 02/11/2026 | L.002 | SEN Judiciary | 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 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 03/16/2026 | House | House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 03/13/2026 | House | House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Floor |
| 03/10/2026 | House | House Committee on Judiciary Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole |
| 02/18/2026 | House | Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary |
| 02/18/2026 | Senate | Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 02/17/2026 | Senate | Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee |
| 02/11/2026 | Senate | Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole |
| 01/14/2026 | Senate | Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary |
Prime Sponsor

Sen. L. Frizell | Sen. D. Roberts

Rep. A. Boesenecker | Rep. J. Caldwell

Sponsor

Co-Sponsor