summary
Introduced
02/20/2026
02/20/2026
In Committee
04/14/2026
04/14/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under current law, if a person engages in conduct that creates a grave risk to human life with an extreme indifference to the value of human life and causes the death of another person, the person commits first degree murder. The bill requires that the person: ! Cause the death of more than one person; ! Cause the death of one person and cause serious bodily injury to 2 or more persons by means of a deadly weapon; ! Cause the death of a child who is under 12 years old; or ! Cause the death of a peace officer, emergency medical service provider, emergency medical care provider, or firefighter engaged in the performance of their duties. The bill creates a new charge of murder in the second degree if a person engages in conduct that creates a grave risk to human life with an extreme indifference to the value of human life and causes the death of only one other person. The bill creates the offense of aggravated vehicular homicide by operating a motor vehicle in a reckless manner or while under the influence of or impaired by alcohol or other drugs and causing the death of another person when the person also: ! Has been convicted twice of driving under the influence or driving while ability impaired; ! Has been convicted of vehicular homicide or vehicular assault; ! Commits the offense while eluding or attempting to elude law enforcement; ! Commits the offense while in flight from the commission of another felony offense, not including a traffic offense; or ! Commits the offense while driving at a high rate of speed, creating an imminent risk of death or serious bodily injury to another person. The bill creates the new offense of negligent vehicular homicide if a person drives a motor vehicle with criminal negligence and causes the death of another person. Negligent vehicular homicide is a class 5 felony.
AI Summary
This bill modifies existing laws related to homicide offenses in Colorado to create a more nuanced and balanced sentencing structure, particularly concerning deaths caused by reckless or indifferent behavior. It redefines first-degree murder to include causing the death of more than one person, causing the death of one person and serious bodily injury to two or more with a deadly weapon, causing the death of a child under 12, or causing the death of a first responder or firefighter on duty, all under circumstances showing extreme indifference to human life. The bill also establishes a new charge of second-degree murder for causing the death of only one person with extreme indifference to human life, and introduces aggravated vehicular homicide for drivers with prior DUI convictions, vehicular homicide convictions, those fleeing law enforcement or another felony, or those driving at excessive speeds that create an imminent risk of death or serious injury. Finally, it creates negligent vehicular homicide for deaths caused by criminal negligence while driving, classifying it as a class 5 felony, and clarifies that each death or serious injury in certain first-degree murder cases constitutes a separate violation.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
House Second Reading Calendar (00:00:00 4/24/2026 House Floor) (on 04/24/2026)
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/HB26-1281 |
| House Judiciary Amendment L.001 | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/19223/download |
| House Judiciary Amendment L.003 | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/19224/download |
| Fiscal Note Initial Fiscal Note | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/113828/download |
| BillText | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/112475/download |
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