summary
Introduced
02/17/2026
02/17/2026
In Committee
03/05/2026
03/05/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Statutory Revision Committee. Senate Bill 25-014, enacted in 2025, repealed a provision of law that stated certain marriage formality requirements do not invalidate an otherwise valid common law marriage. The bill restores that provision to clarify the validity of common law marriage.
AI Summary
This bill aims to clarify the validity of common law marriages in Colorado by restoring a provision that was repealed in 2025. Common law marriage, which is a marriage recognized without a formal ceremony or license, can be established by the mutual agreement of the parties to be married, followed by cohabitation and holding themselves out to the public as married. The bill specifically reinstates language stating that the formalities outlined in this section do not invalidate an otherwise valid common law marriage, and it clarifies that this applies to common law marriages entered into before September 1, 2006, or those entered into on or after that date that comply with a specific section (14-2-109.5) related to common law marriage requirements.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (6)
Matt Ball (D)*,
Brandi Bradley (R)*,
Michael Carter (D)*,
Marc Catlin (R)*,
Cecelia Espenoza (D)*,
Stephanie Luck (R)*,
Last Action
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments (on 03/09/2026)
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/HB26-1218 |
| BillText | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/113039/download |
| BillText | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/112989/download |
| Second Reading Amendment L.001 | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/18297/download |
| Fiscal Note FN1 | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/112636/download |
| BillText | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/112094/download |
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