Bill > SB065

This bill modifies Colorado law regarding the indemnification of peace officers in civil rights lawsuits by clarifying when a public entity must cover legal judgments or settlements. Specifically, the bill establishes that if a peace officer is criminally convicted for the conduct underlying a civil claim, the public entity is not required to pay any portion of the judgment or settlement, unless the employer was directly responsible for causing the violation through its own actions or inactions. Previously, the law allowed for partial indemnification, with the peace officer potentially being liable for up to 5% of the judgment or $25,000. The new provision removes this nuanced approach and creates a more categorical rule that ties indemnification to criminal conviction. The bill aims to hold individual peace officers more accountable for serious misconduct by limiting the circumstances under which their employers must financially protect them in civil litigation. The bill will take effect after the standard 90-day legislative period, with a potential referendum possible that could delay implementation until voter approval in the November 2026 election.