Bill > SB059

This bill, concerning the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, establishes regulations for both government and private use in Colorado. For law enforcement agencies, operating a UAV to collect information from a nonpublic area generally requires a warrant, with exceptions for situations where swift action is needed to prevent imminent harm to life, the escape of a suspect, or the destruction of evidence, though such use is limited to 48 hours and requires a written report. Law enforcement may also use UAVs in response to credible intelligence indicating a high risk of a terrorist attack. When used, UAVs must be operated to collect data only on the intended subject, avoiding collection on individuals or other areas, and facial recognition or other biometric matching technology cannot be used on non-subject data. Information gathered must be destroyed within 14 days unless it's evidence of criminal activity or relevant to an ongoing investigation. Law enforcement agencies must also obtain authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before operating UAVs and are restricted from using those weighing more than 25 pounds. For private individuals, recreational use of UAVs has specific rules, including flying within sight, at a maximum of 400 feet above ground during daylight, and at least five miles from airports, with no autonomous operations allowed for recreational purposes. Both private and commercial users must obtain necessary certificates from the FAA. The Department of Public Safety can also acquire emergency FAA authorization to coordinate UAV use in response to natural disasters.