SB26-072 Increases Penalties for Vehicular Homicide & Assault
Summary
Colorado Senate Bill 26-072 proposes to expand the definition of criminally negligent homicide to include motor vehicle-related deaths caused by criminal negligence. The bill increases criminal penalties for drivers who cause fatalities while using electronic mobile devices and reclassifies vehicular homicide and vehicular assault as crimes of violence.
What changed
SB26-072 proposes to amend Colorado criminal law by expanding criminally negligent homicide to cover motor vehicle operation with criminal negligence, explicitly targeting deaths caused while using electronic mobile devices. The bill adds vehicular homicide and vehicular assault to the statutory list of crimes of violence, triggering mandatory sentencing enhancements.
Drivers in Colorado who cause fatalities while operating vehicles face significantly increased criminal exposure under this bill. If enacted, the reclassification as crimes of violence will trigger mandatory prison time and restrict parole eligibility. Defense attorneys, prosecutors, and fleet operators should monitor this legislation as it progresses through the Senate Judiciary Committee.
What to do next
- Monitor SB26-072 legislative progress through Colorado Senate
- Prepare for potential enhanced penalties if bill passes
Penalties
Enhanced penalties for vehicular homicide when driver was using electronic mobile device; reclassification as crime of violence (specific sentencing ranges to be determined upon passage)
Archived snapshot
Apr 10, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
SB26-072
Increased Penalty for Vehicular Homicide & Assault
| Type | Bill |
|---|---|
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects | Crimes, Corrections, & Enforcement |
Concerning increasing criminal penalties related to assaultive conduct with a motor vehicle, and, in connection therewith, adding the conduct of causing the death of another person with a motor vehicle to the crime of criminally negligent homicide.
Recent Bill (PDF) Recent Fiscal Note (PDF) Bill Summary:
The bill clarifies the conduct by which a person can commit criminally negligent homicide to include proximately causing the death of another person while operating or driving a motor vehicle with criminal negligence. The bill increases the penalty for causing the death of another person while simultaneously driving a motor vehicle and using an electronic mobile device. Offenses categorized as vehicular homicide or vehicular assault are added to the list of crimes of violence.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
Prime Sponsors
John Carson
Senator
Marc Snyder
Representative
Cecelia Espenoza
Committees
Senate
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Status
Under Consideration
Introduced
Under Consideration
Upcoming Schedule
1 meeting
Apr 10
Senate Third Reading of Bills - Final Passage - Consent Calendar
9:00 AM Senate Chamber
Related Documents & Information
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 04/09/2026 | Engrossed | |
| 01/28/2026 | Introduced |
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 04/07/2026 | PA1 |
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 04/07/2026 | First Revised Fiscal Note | |
| 04/07/2026 | Fiscal Note Memorandum | |
| 03/03/2026 | Initial Fiscal Note |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment A) | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Refer Senate Bill 26-072, 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 |
Committee Report: PDF
| Date | Amendment Number | Committee/ Floor Hearing | Status | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 04/06/2026 | L.001 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 04/09/2026 | Senate | Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee |
| 04/06/2026 | Senate | Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole |
| 01/28/2026 | Senate | Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary |
Prime Sponsor
Sen. J. Carson | Sen. M. Snyder
Sponsor
(None) Co-Sponsor
(None)
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