Bill Commons

CO HB 1250

enacted

Procedures Related to Civil Asset Forfeiture

Colorado · 2026 Regular Session · lower

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Quick answers

Did CO HB 1250 pass?

Yes. CO HB 1250 has been enacted into law. Latest recorded action (2026-02-18): Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary

What is CO HB 1250 about?

The act clarifies an existing requirement for the criminal conviction of a property owner by requiring that one or more criminal charges be brought as a prerequisite to any nuisance abatement or forfeiture proceeding.     Existing law provides an exception to the conviction requirement for noninnocent owners who are not subject to criminal charges that no criminal conviction is necessary of the nonowner criminal defendant if the plaintiff proves its case by clear and convincing evidence that the property subject to the forfeiture proceeding is traceable proceeds of the charged offense or related criminal activity. The act clarifies this exception to first require a conviction of the nonowner criminal defendant before the noninnocent owner's property may be forfeited, while retaining other various exceptions that allow forfeiture actions to proceed against the interest of a claimant.     The act establishes a right for indigent civil asset forfeiture defendants to access forfeiture defense counsel and creates a procedure for the appointment of forfeiture defense counsel in nuisance abatement and forfeiture proceedings. The state court administrator shall enter into a contract for services with a private contractor who regularly provides legal services for indigent clients or litigants to provide a legal defense to a civil asset forfeiture proceeding. The private contractor is subject to certain reporting requirements.     The act creates a forfeiture defense counsel fund (fund) to pay for contracted forfeiture defense counsel who are authorized to represent persons against whom a nuisance abatement or forfeiture proceeding has been filed in connection with criminal charges. The fund is capped at $500,000, and starting in state fiscal year 2027-28, no general fund money is allowed to finance the fund. The balance of the fund over $500,000 is credited to the law enforcement community services grant program fund. The act transfers any unexpended and unencumbered money from the law enforcement community services grant program fund to the forfeiture counsel defense fund.     The act alters the disposition of property and proceeds ordered forfeited in a nuisance abatement or forfeiture action. Currently, forfeited property and proceeds are applied first toward restitution and cost recovery for a list of stakeholders, and of the remainder, 50% is granted to the local governmental body with authority over the seizing agency, 25% is granted to the local behavioral health administrative services organization, and 25% is granted to the law enforcement community services grant program fund. The act amends the disposition of the remainder so that 50% is granted to the local governmental body with authority over the seizing agency, 25% is granted to the fund, and 25% is granted to the local behavioral health administrative services organization.     The act appropriates $556,750 to the judicial department from the fund for civil asset forfeiture defense contracting and $55,000 to the department of local affairs from the fund for civil asset forfeiture portal administration.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Who sponsors CO HB 1250?

M. Baisley, K. Wallace, S. Bright and 2 others are the primary sponsors of CO HB 1250, joined by 34 cosponsors.

Description

The act clarifies an existing requirement for the criminal conviction of a property owner by requiring that one or more criminal charges be brought as a prerequisite to any nuisance abatement or forfeiture proceeding.     Existing law provides an exception to the conviction requirement for noninnocent owners who are not subject to criminal charges that no criminal conviction is necessary of the nonowner criminal defendant if the plaintiff proves its case by clear and convincing evidence that the property subject to the forfeiture proceeding is traceable proceeds of the charged offense or related criminal activity. The act clarifies this exception to first require a conviction of the nonowner criminal defendant before the noninnocent owner's property may be forfeited, while retaining other various exceptions that allow forfeiture actions to proceed against the interest of a claimant.     The act establishes a right for indigent civil asset forfeiture defendants to access forfeiture defense counsel and creates a procedure for the appointment of forfeiture defense counsel in nuisance abatement and forfeiture proceedings. The state court administrator shall enter into a contract for services with a private contractor who regularly provides legal services for indigent clients or litigants to provide a legal defense to a civil asset forfeiture proceeding. The private contractor is subject to certain reporting requirements.     The act creates a forfeiture defense counsel fund (fund) to pay for contracted forfeiture defense counsel who are authorized to represent persons against whom a nuisance abatement or forfeiture proceeding has been filed in connection with criminal charges. The fund is capped at $500,000, and starting in state fiscal year 2027-28, no general fund money is allowed to finance the fund. The balance of the fund over $500,000 is credited to the law enforcement community services grant program fund. The act transfers any unexpended and unencumbered money from the law enforcement community services grant program fund to the forfeiture counsel defense fund.     The act alters the disposition of property and proceeds ordered forfeited in a nuisance abatement or forfeiture action. Currently, forfeited property and proceeds are applied first toward restitution and cost recovery for a list of stakeholders, and of the remainder, 50% is granted to the local governmental body with authority over the seizing agency, 25% is granted to the local behavioral health administrative services organization, and 25% is granted to the law enforcement community services grant program fund. The act amends the disposition of the remainder so that 50% is granted to the local governmental body with authority over the seizing agency, 25% is granted to the fund, and 25% is granted to the local behavioral health administrative services organization.     The act appropriates $556,750 to the judicial department from the fund for civil asset forfeiture defense contracting and $55,000 to the department of local affairs from the fund for civil asset forfeiture portal administration.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Introduced
2026-02-18
Latest action
2026-02-18 — Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary
Bill type
bill
Last updated
—

Subjects

Sponsors

  • M. Baisleysponsor
  • K. Wallacesponsor
  • S. Brightsponsor
  • K. DeGraafsponsor
  • J. Baconsponsor
  • I. Jodehcosponsor
  • N. Hinrichsencosponsor
  • J. Gonzalescosponsor
  • L. Frizellcosponsor
  • J. Colemancosponsor
  • J. Carsoncosponsor
  • J. Bridgescosponsor
  • A. Benavidezcosponsor
  • J. Amabilecosponsor
  • Y. Zokaiecosponsor
  • B. Titonecosponsor
  • T. Storycosponsor
  • M. Sopercosponsor
  • S. Slaughcosponsor
  • L. Zamora Wilsoncosponsor
  • N. Rickscosponsor
  • K. Nguyencosponsor
  • B. Marshallcosponsor
  • J. Mabreycosponsor
  • S. Luckcosponsor
  • M. Lindsaycosponsor
  • S. Liedercosponsor
  • R. Keltiecosponsor
  • R. Gonzalezcosponsor
  • L. Garcíacosponsor
  • R. Englishcosponsor
  • K. Browncosponsor
  • M. Brookscosponsor
  • B. Bradleycosponsor
  • E. Sirotacosponsor
  • M. Weissmancosponsor
  • M. Snydercosponsor
  • C. Kolkercosponsor
  • C. Kippcosponsor

Committees

Not provided by source.

Action timeline

Newest first

  1. 2026-06-04

    Governor Signed

    executive-signature

  2. 2026-06-03

    Signed by the Speaker of the House

    passage

  3. 2026-06-03

    Signed by the President of the Senate

    passage

  4. 2026-06-03

    Sent to the Governor

    executive-receipt

  5. 2026-05-13

    Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    passage,reading-3

  6. 2026-05-12

    House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    passage,reading-3

  7. 2026-05-12

    Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Appropriations

    introduction

  8. 2026-05-12

    Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole

    committee-passage

  9. 2026-05-12

    Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

  10. 2026-05-11

    House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor

  11. 2026-05-08

    House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole

    committee-passage,referral-committee

  12. 2026-05-04

    House Committee on Finance Refer Amended to Appropriations

    referral-committee

  13. 2026-04-21

    House Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to Finance

    referral-committee

  14. 2026-02-18

    Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary

    introduction

Versions

Documents

Votes

  • Adopt amendment L.006 (Attachment F).

    2026-04-21 · pass · 0-0

    Member-level votes (11)
    • Jennifer Bacon: yes
    • Chad Clifford: yes
    • Cecelia Espenoza: yes
    • Ava Flanell: yes
    • Lorena Garcia: yes
    • Rebecca Keltie: no
    • Scott Slaugh: yes
    • Matt Soper: yes
    • Yara Zokaie: yes
    • Michael Carter: yes
    • Javier Mabrey: yes

  • Adopt amendment L.012 (Attachment J).

    2026-04-21 · fail · 0-0

    Member-level votes (11)
    • Jennifer Bacon: no
    • Chad Clifford: no
    • Cecelia Espenoza: no
    • Ava Flanell: yes
    • Lorena Garcia: no
    • Rebecca Keltie: yes
    • Scott Slaugh: yes
    • Matt Soper: no
    • Yara Zokaie: no
    • Michael Carter: no
    • Javier Mabrey: no

  • Adopt amendment L.010 (Attachment H).

    2026-04-21 · pass · 0-0

  • Adopt amendment L.004 (Attachment D).

    2026-04-21 · pass · 0-0

    Member-level votes (11)
    • Jennifer Bacon: yes
    • Chad Clifford: yes
    • Cecelia Espenoza: yes
    • Ava Flanell: yes
    • Lorena Garcia: yes
    • Rebecca Keltie: yes
    • Scott Slaugh: yes
    • Matt Soper: yes
    • Yara Zokaie: yes
    • Michael Carter: yes
    • Javier Mabrey: yes

  • Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment C).

    2026-04-21 · pass · 0-0

    Member-level votes (11)
    • Jennifer Bacon: yes
    • Chad Clifford: yes
    • Cecelia Espenoza: yes
    • Ava Flanell: yes
    • Lorena Garcia: yes
    • Rebecca Keltie: no
    • Scott Slaugh: yes
    • Matt Soper: yes
    • Yara Zokaie: yes
    • Michael Carter: yes
    • Javier Mabrey: yes

  • Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment B)

    2026-04-21 · pass · 0-0

    Member-level votes (11)
    • Jennifer Bacon: yes
    • Chad Clifford: no
    • Cecelia Espenoza: yes
    • Ava Flanell: yes
    • Lorena Garcia: yes
    • Rebecca Keltie: no
    • Scott Slaugh: yes
    • Matt Soper: yes
    • Yara Zokaie: yes
    • Michael Carter: yes
    • Javier Mabrey: yes

  • Adopt amendment L.007 (Attachment G).

    2026-04-21 · pass · 0-0

    Member-level votes (11)
    • Jennifer Bacon: yes
    • Chad Clifford: yes
    • Cecelia Espenoza: yes
    • Ava Flanell: yes
    • Lorena Garcia: yes
    • Rebecca Keltie: no
    • Scott Slaugh: yes
    • Matt Soper: yes
    • Yara Zokaie: yes
    • Michael Carter: yes
    • Javier Mabrey: yes

  • Adopt amendment L.005 (Attachment E).

    2026-04-21 · pass · 0-0

    Member-level votes (11)
    • Jennifer Bacon: yes
    • Chad Clifford: yes
    • Cecelia Espenoza: no
    • Ava Flanell: no
    • Lorena Garcia: yes
    • Rebecca Keltie: no
    • Scott Slaugh: yes
    • Matt Soper: no
    • Yara Zokaie: yes
    • Michael Carter: yes
    • Javier Mabrey: yes

  • Refer House Bill 26-1250, as amended, to the Committee on Finance.

    2026-04-21 · pass · 0-0

    Member-level votes (11)
    • Jennifer Bacon: yes
    • Chad Clifford: no
    • Cecelia Espenoza: no
    • Ava Flanell: no
    • Lorena Garcia: yes
    • Rebecca Keltie: no
    • Scott Slaugh: yes
    • Matt Soper: no
    • Yara Zokaie: yes
    • Michael Carter: yes
    • Javier Mabrey: yes

  • Refer House Bill 26-1250, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.

    2026-05-04 · pass · 0-0

    Member-level votes (11)
    • Max Brooks: yes
    • Sean Camacho: yes
    • Ken DeGraaf: yes
    • Lorena Garcia: yes
    • Ryan Gonzalez: yes
    • Anthony Hartsook: yes
    • Bob Marshall: yes
    • Rebekah Stewart: yes
    • Yara Zokaie: yes
    • Brianna Titone: yes
    • Steven Woodrow: yes

  • Adopt amendment L.022

    2026-05-08 · pass · 0-0

    Member-level votes (1)
    • Scott Bottoms: excused

  • Adopt amendment L.023

    2026-05-08 · pass · 0-0

    Member-level votes (1)
    • Scott Bottoms: excused

  • Adopt amendment J.002

    2026-05-08 · pass · 0-0

    Member-level votes (1)
    • Scott Bottoms: excused

  • Refer House Bill 26-1250, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

    2026-05-08 · pass · 0-0

    Member-level votes (11)
    • Andrew Boesenecker: yes
    • Scott Bottoms: yes
    • Junie Joseph: yes
    • Karen McCormick: yes
    • Chris Richardson: yes
    • Rick Taggart: yes
    • Brianna Titone: yes
    • Elizabeth Velasco: yes
    • Yara Zokaie: yes
    • Emily Sirota: yes
    • Kyle Brown: yes

  • Refer House Bill 26-1250 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

    2026-05-12 · pass · 0-0

    Member-level votes (7)
    • Scott Bright: yes
    • Judy Amabile: yes
    • Chris Kolker: yes
    • Barbara Kirkmeyer: yes
    • Larry Liston: yes
    • Jeff Bridges: yes
    • Julie Gonzales: yes

  • BILL

    2026-05-13 · pass · 0-0

    Member-level votes (36)
    • Amabile: yes
    • Baisley: yes
    • Ball: yes
    • Benavidez: yes
    • Bridges: yes
    • Bright: yes
    • Carson: yes
    • Catlin: yes
    • Cutter: yes
    • Danielson: yes
    • Daugherty: yes
    • Exum: yes
    • Frizell: yes
    • Gonzales J.: yes
    • Hinrichsen: yes
    • Jodeh: yes
    • Kipp: yes
    • Kirkmeyer: yes
    • Kolker: yes
    • Lindstedt: no
    • Liston: yes
    • Marchman: yes
    • Mullica: yes
    • Pelton B.: yes
    • Pelton R.: yes
    • Rich: yes
    • Roberts: yes
    • Rodriguez: yes
    • Simpson: yes
    • Snyder: yes
    • Sullivan: no
    • Wallace: yes
    • Weissman: yes
    • Zamora Wilson: yes
    • Coleman: yes
    • President: yes

Related bills

No related bills recorded for this bill.

Official source

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1250

Attribution

Data from openstates_api_sync, retrieved 2026-08-21T21:01:01.173542Z

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