Accessible Language Statutory Ballot Title Requirements
Concerning statutory requirements for ballot title language, and, in connection therewith, requiring the use of accessible language and allowing for the modification of statutorily required ballot title language.
Official status: Became Law
Prime sponsors
- Kenny Nguyen (House) — Prime Sponsor
- Lorena García (House) — Prime Sponsor
- Adrienne Benavidez (Senate) — Prime Sponsor
Progress (from the official record)
Official summary
Official text — shown in English exactly as published by the official source. The official text controls.
Under current law, the title board must set a ballot title for an initiative petition that is brief, does not conflict with another title for an initiative petition filed for the same election, and is in the form of a question that may be answered 'yes/for' or 'no/against' and that unambiguously states the principle of the provision sought to be added, amended, or repealed by the initiative. The act adds a requirement that the title board write a ballot title using accessible language, which means plain language that is understood by the widest possible audience. In determining whether a ballot title is written using accessible language, the title board may consider whether the title: Avoids using legal, technical, or specialized terminology when possible; Clearly identifies the principal change in law or policy proposed by the proposed statutory or constitutional amendment; Avoids unnecessary qualifiers, double negatives, and overly complex phrasing; Organizes clauses so that the effect of a 'yes/for' or 'no/against' vote is readily understood; and Presents necessary information within the ballot title in a logical and readable order. In addition, current law requires that specific language appear in the ballot title for certain initiatives that increase or reduce tax revenue. For initiatives that reduce state tax revenue or local district property tax revenue through a tax change, this required language must appear at the beginning of the ballot title. For initiatives that increase tax revenue for any district through a tax change, this required language must appear directly after language required by the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights. The act modifies these statutory provisions so that the required ballot title language must only be substantially similar to the specific statutory language and may appear anywhere in the ballot title. The act applies to initiative petitions submitted to the secretary of state for title setting on or after the effective date of the act. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Status timeline
| Date | Location | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 03/04/2026 | House | Introduced In House - Assigned to State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs |
| 03/23/2026 | House | House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole |
| 03/25/2026 | House | House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee |
| 03/26/2026 | House | House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments |
| 03/27/2026 | House | House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 03/31/2026 | Senate | Introduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military Affairs |
| 04/21/2026 | Senate | Senate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole |
| 04/24/2026 | Senate | Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee |
| 04/27/2026 | Senate | Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 04/28/2026 | House | House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily |
| 05/04/2026 | House | House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass |
| 05/21/2026 | House | Signed by the Speaker of the House |
| 05/21/2026 | Senate | Signed by the President of the Senate |
| 05/21/2026 | Governor | Sent to the Governor |
| 05/29/2026 | Governor | Governor Signed |
Recorded votes
- 04/21/2026 — Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs: “Refer House Bill 26-1320, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.” — the motion passed on a vote of 4–1.
- 03/23/2026 — House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs: “Refer House Bill 26-1320, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.” — the motion passed on a vote of 8–3.
Proposed amendments (7 proposed amendments)
| Amendment | Committee / floor hearing | Offered | Disposition | Official document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L.002 | Committee amendment — State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs (House) | 03/23/2026 | Passed | View official document |
| L.004 Sponsor: Representative Luck | Floor amendment — Second Reading (House) | 03/25/2026 | Lost | View official document |
| L.005 Sponsor: Representative DeGraaf | Floor amendment — Second Reading (House) | 03/25/2026 | Lost | View official document |
| L.006 Sponsor: Representative DeGraaf | Floor amendment — Second Reading (House) | 03/25/2026 | Lost | View official document |
| L.007 Sponsor: Representative DeGraaf | Floor amendment — Second Reading (House) | 03/25/2026 | Lost | View official document |
| L.003 Sponsor: Representative Luck | Floor amendment — Second Reading (House) | 03/25/2026 | Lost | View official document |
| L.008 | Committee amendment — State, Veterans, & Military Affairs (Senate) | 04/21/2026 | Passed | View official document |
Source: Colorado General Assembly (leg.colorado.gov) · Data as of
Full text
- Signed Act version (official PDF), 06/02/2026
- Final Act version (official PDF), 05/21/2026
- Rerevised version (official PDF), 04/27/2026
- Revised version (official PDF), 04/24/2026
- Reengrossed version (official PDF), 03/27/2026
- Engrossed version (official PDF), 03/25/2026
- Introduced version (official PDF), 03/04/2026
Official record
View HB26-1320 on leg.colorado.gov
Source: Colorado General Assembly (leg.colorado.gov) · Data as of
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