Sunset Cold Case Task Force

HOUSE BILL 26-1185

BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Carter and Clifford, Bacon, Espenoza, Slaugh, Soper, Boesenecker, Brown, Froelich, Keltie, Lindsay, Nguyen, Rutinel, Titone, McCluskie; also SENATOR(S) Roberts, Benavidez, Bright, Carson, Exum, Frizell, Hinrichsen, Kipp, Mullica, Wallace, Weissman, Coleman.

CONCERNING THE CONTINUATION OF THE COLD CASE TASK FORCE, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF REGULATORY AGENCIES IN THE DEPARTMENT'S 2025 SUNSET REPORT, INCLUDING AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO APPOINT ADDITIONAL MEMBERS TO THE TASK FORCE, CONTINUING THE TASK FORCE FOR THIRTEEN YEARS, AND CHANGING THE TYPE OF SUNSET REVIEW THAT IS CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado: SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-33.5-109, amend (2) introductory portion, (2)(h), (2)(i), (3)(a), and (9); and add (2)U) as follows: 24-33.5-109. Cold case task force - creation - rules - repeal.

Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material added to existing law; dashes through words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law and such material is not part of the act.

(2) The task force shall consist CONSISTS of sixteen members, as follows THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS: (h) Two representatives from victims' families who shall be ARE appointed by the president of the senate; and (i) A forensic pathologist who is appointed by the governor; AND U) ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL WHO IS APPOINTED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND HAS SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN RELEVANT EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES. (3) (a) The members of the task force appointed pursuant to subsections (2)( c) to tz}ffl (2)U) of this section shall serve terms of three years; except that the terms shall be staggered so that no more than a minimum majority of the appointed members' terms expire in the same year. (9) (a) This section is repealed, effective September 1, 2026 SEPTEMBER 1, 2039. (b) Before its repeal, the department of regulatory agencies shall review the task force in accordance with section 24-34-104 SECTION 2-3-1203. SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-34-104, repeal (27)(a)(X) as follows: 24-34-104. General assembly review of regulatory agencies and functions for repeal, continuation, or reestablishment - legislative declaration - repeal.

(27) (a) The following agencies, functions, or both, are scheduled for repeal on September 1, 2026: (X) The cold ease task force created in section 24-33.5-109, SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 2-3-1203, add (27) as follows:

2-3-1203. Sunset review of advisory committees - legislative declaration - definition - repeal. (27) (a) THE FOLLOWING STATUTORY AUTHORIZATIONS FOR THE DESIGNATED ADVISORY COMMITTEES WILL REPEAL ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2039: (I) THE COLD CASE TASK FORCE CREATED IN SECTION 24-33.5-109. (b) THIS SUBSECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2041. SECTION 4. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August 12, 2026, if adjournment sine die is on May 13, 2026); except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless

approved by the people at the general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.

Julie McCluskie SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

James Rashad Coleman, Sr. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

Vanessa Reilly CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Esther van Mourik SECRETARY OF THE SENATE

APPROVED on Monday April 13th 2026 at 11am (Date and Time)

Jared S. Polis GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO