summary
Introduced
02/11/2026
02/11/2026
In Committee
02/11/2026
02/11/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/11/2026
03/11/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
The bill requires the statewide decriminalization of commercial sexual activity among consenting adults. It declares that decriminalizing commercial sexual activity among consenting adults is a matter of statewide concern and expressly preempts statutory or home rule city, town, city and county, or county ordinances, resolutions, regulations, or codes criminalizing commercial sexual activity. The bill repeals the state criminal offenses of prostitution, soliciting for prostitution, keeping a place of prostitution, patronizing a prostitute, and prostitute making display. It also repeals the offense of pandering when it involves knowingly arranging or offering to arrange a situation that permits a person to practice prostitution. The bill maintains current state criminal penalties for pandering that involves menacing or criminal intimidation and for pimping, but it changes terminology in those offenses by replacing "prostitution" with "commercial sexual activity". The bill makes various conforming amendments, including those related to: Reporting requirements, immunity, affirmative defenses, and criminal conviction records in human trafficking cases; public nuisances; certification by the peace officers standards and training board; and the regulation of escort bureaus and massage parlors. The bill eliminates a court program for persons charged with certain prostitution-related offenses.
AI Summary
This bill, effective July 1, 2026, aims to decriminalize consensual commercial sexual activity between adults statewide, meaning that local ordinances or regulations criminalizing such activity will no longer be valid. It repeals existing state laws against prostitution, soliciting for prostitution, keeping a place of prostitution, patronizing a prostitute, and prostitute making a display. While penalties for pandering (arranging sexual activity for profit) involving threats or intimidation, and for pimping (living off the earnings of another's commercial sexual activity) are maintained, the terminology is updated to reflect "commercial sexual activity" instead of "prostitution." The bill also makes conforming changes to laws related to human trafficking, public nuisances, law enforcement certification, and the regulation of businesses like escort bureaus and massage parlors, while eliminating a specific court program for prostitution-related offenses.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Senate Committee on Judiciary Postpone Indefinitely (on 03/11/2026)
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/SB26-097 |
| Fiscal Note Initial Fiscal Note | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/113017/download |
| BillText | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/111836/download |
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