summary
Introduced
02/04/2026
02/04/2026
In Committee
02/04/2026
02/04/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
The bill clarifies that municipal court defendants have a right to counsel and that municipal defense counsel have the same notice, case information, and opportunity to meet with their clients as do state-level defense counsel. Current law prohibits paying indigent municipal defense counsel on a fixed or flat-fee payment structure if the municipality prosecutes domestic violence cases. The bill applies the prohibition to all municipalities. All municipal court proceedings are required to be open to public observation. Virtual observation is required for all in-custody proceedings, and prompt resolution of municipal cases is required.
AI Summary
This bill ensures that municipal court defendants have a right to legal representation, requiring that defense attorneys for those who cannot afford a lawyer (indigent defense counsel) receive the same access to case information, notice, and opportunities to meet with their clients as do defense attorneys in state-level courts. It also prohibits municipalities from paying these defense attorneys with a fixed or flat fee, a practice previously only banned for domestic violence cases, and mandates that all municipal court proceedings be open to the public for observation, including virtual access for cases involving defendants in custody, and requires that municipal cases be resolved promptly.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (15)
Judy Amabile (D)*,
Jennifer Bacon (D)*,
Michael Carter (D)*,
Chad Clifford (D)*,
James Coleman (D)*,
Lorena García (D)*,
Lindsay Gilchrist (D)*,
Julie Gonzales (D)*,
Nick Hinrichsen (D)*,
Javier Mabrey (D)*,
Dylan Roberts (D)*,
Elizabeth Velasco (D)*,
Katie Wallace (D)*,
Michael Weissman (D)*,
Yara Zokaie (D)*,
Last Action
House Judiciary Hearing (13:30:00 2/25/2026 Room 0107) (on 02/25/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1134 |
| Fiscal Note FN1 | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/112489/download |
| BillText | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/111321/download |
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