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Second Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REENGROSSED
This Version Includes All Amendments
Adopted in the House of Introduction
LLS NO. 26-0358.01 Renee Leone x2695 HOUSE BILL 26-1194
House Committees Senate Committees
Health & Human Services
Appropriations
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING THE CONTINUATION OF THE OFFICE OF COMBATIVE101
SPORTS, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, IMPLEMENTING THE102
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF REGULATORY103
AGENCIES IN THE DEPARTMENT'S 2025 SUNSET REPORT.104
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov/.)
Sunset Process - House Health and Human Services
Committee. The bill implements the recommendations of the department
of regulatory agencies in its 2025 sunset review and report.
HOUSE
3rd Reading Unamended
March 16, 2026
HOUSE
Amended 2nd Reading
March 13, 2026
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
English and Barron, Duran, Lieder, McCluskie, Rutinel
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Hinrichsen,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law.
Section 1 of the bill changes the name of the "Colorado
Professional Boxing Safety Act" to the "Colorado Combative Sports
Safety Act". Sections 4, 5, 8, 12, and 13 update terms that reference
boxing to better align with the new title.
Sections 2 and 3 continue the "Colorado Combative Sports Safety
Act" and the office of combative sports (office), including the Colorado
combative sports commission (commission), for 11 years, until 2037.
Section 6 grants the 2 physician members of the commission the
power to vote with the other members and clarifies that the physician
members must have experience or training in emergency, sports, or
combative sports medicine.
Section 9 directs the office director to gather safety data related to
combative sports to provide to the commission.
Section 7 directs the commission to consider the safety data
collected by the office director during the commission's rule-making and
requires the commission to identify, by rule, the combative sports to
which the "Colorado Combative Sports Safety Act" applies.
Section 10 adds, to the combative sports statutes pertaining to
grounds for discipline, that the director of the division of professions and
occupations (division) may discipline a licensee or an applicant for a
license for failing to respond to a letter from the division regarding a
complaint against the licensee or applicant within the length of time for
response specified in the letter. Section 10 also removes the requirement
that a letter of admonition sent to a licensee or applicant be sent by
certified mail.
Section 11 prohibits a promoter or matchmaker from having a
financial interest in the management of a combative sports participant
(participant) and prohibits a manager from:
! Having a financial interest in the promotion of a
participant;
! Being employed by a promoter or matchmaker; or
! Receiving compensation or other benefits from a promoter
or matchmaker beyond the amount received as
consideration pursuant to the manager's contract with the
participant.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 12-110-1012
as follows:3
12-110-101. Short title.4
The short title of this article 110 is the "Colorado Professional5
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Boxing Safety Act" "COLORADO COMBATIVE SPORTS SAFETY ACT".1
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 12-110-1162
as follows:3
12-110-116. Repeal of article - subject to review.4
This article 110 is repealed, effective September 1, 20265
SEPTEMBER 1, 2037. Before the repeal, the office and the commission are6
scheduled for review in accordance with section 24-34-104.7
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-34-104, repeal8
(27)(a)(V); and add (38)(a)(II) as follows:9
24-34-104. General assembly review of regulatory agencies10
and functions for repeal, continuation, or reestablishment - legislative11
declaration - repeal.12
(27) (a) The following agencies, functions, or both, are scheduled13
for repeal on September 1, 2026:14
(V) The office of combative sports, including the Colorado15
combative sports commission, created in article 110 of title 12;16
(38) (a) The following agencies, functions, or both, are scheduled17
for repeal on September 1, 2037:18
(II) T HE OFFICE OF COMBATIVE SPORTS , INCLUDING THE19
COLORADO COMBATIVE SPORTS COMMISSION, CREATED IN ARTICLE 110 OF20
TITLE 12.21
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 12-110-10222
as follows:23
12-110-102. Legislative declaration.24
(1) The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares25
that the federal "Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996", 15 U.S.C. sec.26
6301 et seq., as amended, requires the state of Colorado to establish a27
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state boxing commission. Because there is no state boxing commission,1
any professional boxing match held in Colorado has to be supervised by2
another state's boxing commission, using safety guidelines and procedures3
implemented by that state T HE STATE HAS THEREFORE CREATED THE4
COLORADO COMBATIVE SPORTS COMMISSION.5
(2) The general assembly further finds and declares that it is in the6
best interests of the residents of Colorado, professional boxing7
COMBATIVE SPORTS participants, and the future of the sport of boxing8
COMBATIVE SPORTS in Colorado that the conduct of the sport COMBATIVE9
SPORTS be subject to an effective and efficient system of strict control10
designed by the general assembly. The system shall, at a minimum:11
(a) Protect the safety of the participants; and12
(b) Promote the public trust and confidence in the conduct of13
professional boxing COMBATIVE SPORTS.14
(3) To further public confidence and trust, this article 110 and15
rules promulgated ADOPTED pursuant to this article 110 shall regulate all16
persons, practices, and associations that relate to the operation of live17
professional boxing COMBATIVE SPORTS events, performances, or contests18
held in Colorado.19
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-110-104, amend20
(5), (8), (12), (14), (16)(a)(II), and (16)(b)(II); repeal (1); and add (2.7),21
(6.8), (8.1), and (15.4) as follows:22
12-110-104. Definitions.23
As used in this article 110, unless the context otherwise requires:24
(1) "Boxer" means an individual who participates in a boxing25
match.26
(2.7) (a) "COMBATIVE SPORT" OR "COMBATIVE SPORTS" MEANS A27
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COMPETITIVE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THAT INVOLVES TWO OR MORE1
INDIVIDUALS ENGAGING IN COMBAT WITH RULES THAT GOVERN CONDUCT,2
CONTACT, SCORING, AND SAFETY.3
(b) "C OMBATIVE SPORT " OR "COMBATIVE SPORTS " INCLUDES4
BOXING, KICKBOXING, MARTIAL ARTS, MIXED MARTIAL ARTS, MUAY THAI,5
AND ANY OTHER COMBATIVE SPORT THE COMMISSION DEEMS, BY RULE, TO6
BE REGULATED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE 110.7
(5) "Exhibition" means a match in which participants display their8
boxing COMBATIVE SPORTS skills and techniques without striving9
earnestly to win.10
(6.8) "MANAGER" MEANS A PERSON THAT PROPOSES, SELECTS, AND11
ARRANGES THE CONTESTANTS TO PARTICIPATE IN A COMBATIVE SPORTS12
MATCH.13
(8) "Match" means a professional boxing COMBATIVE SPORTS14
contest or exhibition, the object of which is to win by a decision,15
knockout, or technical knockout, and includes an event, engagement,16
sparring or practice session, show, or program where the public is17
admitted and there is intended to be physical contact. "Match" does not18
include a training or practice session when no A COST FOR admission is19
NOT charged.20
(8.1) "MATCHMAKER" MEANS A PERSON THAT:21
(a) PROPOSES, ARRANGES, OR SECURES A PARTICIPANT FOR A 22
COMBATIVE SPORTS MATCH; OR23
(b) ASSISTS A PROMOTER IN PROPOSING, ARRANGING, OR SECURING24
A PARTICIPANT FOR A COMBATIVE SPORTS MATCH.25
(12) "Participant" means a person AN INDIVIDUAL who engages in26
a match. as a boxing contestant.27
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(14) "Place of training" means a facility where alcohol beverages1
are not permitted, an admission fee is not charged for nonstudents,2
instructors of particular disciplines train students in the art of boxing3
COMBATIVE SPORTS, and students pay a fee to be enrolled in classes and4
receive instruction.5
(15.4) (a) "PROMOTER" MEANS A PERSON PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE6
FOR ORGANIZING, PROMOTING, AND PRODUCING A COMBATIVE SPORTS7
MATCH.8
(b) "PROMOTER" DOES NOT INCLUDE A HOTEL, CASINO, RESORT, OR9
OTHER COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT HOSTING OR SPONSORING A 10
COMBATIVE SPORTS MATCH, UNLESS:11
(I) T HE HOTEL , CASINO , RESORT , OR OTHER COMMERCIAL12
ESTABLISHMENT IS PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR ORGANIZING ,13
PROMOTING, AND PRODUCING THE MATCH; AND14
(II) T HERE IS NO OTHER PERSON PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR15
ORGANIZING, PROMOTING, AND PRODUCING THE MATCH.16
(16) (a) "Toughperson fighting" means:17
(II) A contest, match, tournament, exhibition, bout, or activity, as18
described in subsection (16)(a)(I) of this section, that is not recognized by19
and not sanctioned by any state, regional, or national boxing COMBATIVE20
SPORTS sanctioning authority that is recognized by the director.21
(b) "Toughperson fighting" does not mean:22
(II) A sanctioned boxing COMBATIVE SPORTS event approved by23
the commission.24
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-110-106, amend25
(3); and add (2)(a.3) and (2)(a.5) as follows.26
12-110-106. Colorado combative sports commission - creation27
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- repeal.1
(2) (a.3) THIS SUBSECTION (2)(a.3) AND SUBSECTION (2)(a) OF THIS2
SECTION ARE REPEALED, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2026.3
(a.5) (I) O N AND AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 2026, THE COMMISSION4
CONSISTS OF SEVEN MEMBERS. ALL MEMBERS ARE VOTING MEMBERS AND5
MUST BE RESIDENTS OF COLORADO, BE OF GOOD CHARACTER , AND NOT6
HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF ANY FELONY OR MATCH -RELATED OFFENSE,7
NOTWITHSTANDING SECTION 24-5-101. THE MEMBERS SHALL BE8
APPOINTED AS FOLLOWS:9
(A) THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT THREE MEMBERS;10
(B) THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE SHALL APPOINT TWO MEMBERS,11
ONE OF WHOM MUST BE A PHYSICIAN WHO HAS RELEVANT EXPERIENCE OR12
TRAINING IN EMERGENCY, SPORTS, OR COMBATIVE SPORTS MEDICINE; AND13
(C) T HE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SHALL14
APPOINT TWO MEMBERS, ONE OF WHOM MUST BE A PHYSICIAN WHO HAS15
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE OR TRAINING IN EMERGENCY , SPORTS , OR16
COMBATIVE SPORTS MEDICINE.17
(II) THE TWO PHYSICIAN MEMBERS SHALL ADVISE THE COMMISSION18
ON MATTERS CONCERNING THE HEALTH AND PHYSICAL C ONDITION OF19
PARTICIPANTS AND HEALTH ISSUES RELATING TO THE CONDUCT OF20
MATCHES. THE PHYSICIAN MEMBERS MAY PREPARE AND SUBMIT TO THE21
COMMISSION FOR ITS CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL ANY RULES THAT IN22
THEIR JUDGMENT WILL SAFEGUARD THE PHYSICAL WELFARE OF THE23
PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED IN COMBATIVE SPORTS. THE PHYSICIAN MEMBERS24
ARE VOTING MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION.25
(3) Meetings of the commission shall be held at least annually,26
and shall be called by the chair or by any two members of the27
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commission, and shall MUST be open to the public. Any three voting1
FOUR members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting. Action may be2
taken and motions and resolutions may be adopted at any meeting at3
which a quorum exists by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting4
members present. Members may participate in a regular or special5
meeting by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, any means of6
communication by which all members participating may simultaneously7
hear one another at all times during the meeting. A member participating8
in a meeting by this means is deemed to be present in person at the9
meeting.10
SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-110-107, amend11
(1) introductory portion, (1)(a), (1)(k), and (1)(l)(III); and add (1)(m),12
(1.1), and (1.5) as follows:13
12-110-107. General powers and duties of the commission -14
rules.15
(1) In addition to any other powers specifically granted to the16
commission in this article 110, the commission shall issue ADOPT rules as17
necessary for the regulation of the conduct, promotion, and performance18
of live boxing matches in this state. The rules must be consistent with this19
article 110; the federal "Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996", 1520
U.S.C. sec. 6301 et seq.; as amended, and any other applicable federal21
law. The commission's rules must include:22
(a) Requirements for issuance of licenses and permits for boxers,23
seconds, inspectors, promoters, judges, and referees PARTICIPANTS,24
CORNERS, OFFICIALS, MATCHMAKERS, AND MANAGERS;25
(k) Regulation of facilities; and26
(l) Procedures to:27
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(III) Allow the director to report a nondisciplinary participant1
license suspension to a national record keeper approved by the director;2
AND3
(m) PROVISIONS INTENDED TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY4
OF PARTICIPANTS. 5
(1.1) WHEN ADOPTING RULES INTENDED TO ENSURE THE HEALTH6
AND SAFETY OF PARTICIPANTS PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (1)(m) OF THIS7
SECTION, THE COMMISSION SHALL REVIEW AND CONSIDER THE SAFETY8
DATA GATHERED AND PROVIDED TO IT BY THE OFFICE DIRECTOR PURSUANT9
TO SECTION 12-110-110 (3)(a)(IV).10
(1.5) THE COMMISSION SHALL IDENTIFY, BY RULE, THE COMBATIVE11
SPORTS TO WHICH THIS ARTICLE 110 APPLIES.12
SECTION 8. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 12-110-10813
as follows:14
12-110-108. License required.15
No A person shall NOT participate, officiate, judge, referee,16
promote, or second a professional boxing arts contest MATCHMAKE,17
MANAGE, OR CORNER A MATCH unless the person is licensed pursuant to18
this article 110.19
SECTION 9. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-110-110, amend20
(3)(a) introductory portion, (3)(a)(II), (3)(a)(III), (3)(b) introductory21
portion, and (3)(b)(II); and add (3)(a)(IV) as follows:22
12-110-110. Office director - appointment - qualification -23
powers and duties - director of division's powers and duties.24
(3) (a) In addition to the ALL OTHER duties imposed upon the25
office director elsewhere in this article 110, the office director shall, in26
accordance with this article 110 and the rules of the commission:27
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(II) Supervise and administer the operation of matches; and1
(III) As deemed necessary by the director of the division, advise2
and make recommendations to the director of the division with regard to3
the director of the division's functions; AND4
(IV) G ATHER DATA RELATED TO ENSURING THE HEALTH AND5
SAFETY OF PARTICIPANTS TO PROVIDE TO THE COMMISSION FOR THE6
COMMISSION TO CONSIDER WHEN IT ISSUES RULES PURSUANT TO SECTION7
12-110-107.8
(b) In addition to the ALL OTHER duties imposed upon the director9
of the division elsewhere in this article 110, the director of the division10
shall:11
(II) Advise and recommend to the commission rules and other12
procedures as the director of the division deems necessary and advisable13
to improve the conduct of boxing COMBATIVE SPORTS;14
SECTION 10. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-110-111, amend15
(1) introductory portion, (1)(e), (1)(g)(I), (1)(h), and (2)(b)(IV); and add16
(1)(i) as follows:17
12-110-111. Grounds for discipline.18
(1) The director may take disciplinary or other action as19
authorized in section 12-20-404 against a license LICENSEE or an20
application APPLICANT for a license if the applicant or licensee:21
(e) Has incurred disciplinary action related to professional boxing22
COMBATIVE SPORTS in another jurisdiction. Evidence of disciplinary23
action is prima facie evidence for denial of a license or other disciplinary24
action if the violation would be grounds for disciplinary action in this25
state.26
(g) Is guilty of conduct, or is incompetent or negligent in a27
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manner, that:1
(I) Is detrimental to a contest or exhibition of boxing MATCH,2
including unsportsmanlike conduct engaged in before, during, or after a3
contest or exhibition of boxing; or MATCH;4
(h) Fails to comply with a limitation, restriction, or condition that5
the director or any other state or national regulatory authority responsible6
for regulating boxing COMBATIVE SPORTS places on the licensee or7
applicant; OR8
(i) FAILS TO RESPOND TO A LETTER FROM THE DIVISION REGARDING9
A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE LICENSEE OR APPLICANT WITHIN THE LENGTH10
OF TIME SPECIFIED IN THE LETTER.11
(2) (b) Upon completing an investigation in accordance with12
section 12-20-403, the director shall make one of the following findings:13
(IV) The investigation discloses an instance of conduct that does14
not warrant formal action but should not be dismissed as being without15
merit. If this finding is made, the director may send a letter of admonition16
to the licensee in accordance with section 12-20-404 (4). by certified17
mail.18
SECTION 11. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 12-110-11219
as follows:20
12-110-112. Toughperson fighting prohibited - promoter and21
manager financial interest prohibited.22
(1) (a) Toughperson fighting is prohibited in the state of Colorado.23
No A person or entity shall NOT promote, advertise, conduct, or compete24
or participate in toughperson fighting. No A license or permit shall NOT25
be issued for toughperson fighting or for any contests or exhibitions of a26
similar nature.27
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(b) A VIOLATION OF SUBSECTION (1)(a) OF THIS SECTION IS A CLASS1
2 MISDEMEANOR AND SHALL BE PUNISHED AS PROVIDED IN SECTION2
18-1.3-501.3
(2) Any violation of this section is a class 2 misdemeanor and4
shall be punished as provided in section 18-1.3-501.5
(3) A PROMOTER OR MATCHMAKER SHALL NOT HAVE A DIRECT OR6
INDIRECT FINANCIAL INTEREST IN THE MANAGEMENT OF A PARTICIPANT.7
(4) A MANAGER SHALL NOT:8
(a) H AVE A DIRECT OR INDIRECT FINANCIAL INTEREST IN THE9
PROMOTION OF A PARTICIPANT;10
(b) BE EMPLOYED BY A PROMOTER OR MATCHMAKER; OR11
(c) RECEIVE COMPENSATION OR OTHER BENEFIT FROM A PROMOTER12
OR MATCHMAKER, EXCEPT FOR AN AMOUNT RECEIVED AS CONSIDERATION13
PURSUANT TO THE MANAGER'S CONTRACT WITH THE PARTICIPANT.14
SECTION 12. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-110-115, amend15
(2) as follows:16
12-110-115. Violations.17
(2) Criminal penalties. Any A person who THAT engages in or18
offers or attempts to engage in the conduct, promotion, or performance19
of live boxing matches without an active license or permit issued under20
this article 110 is subject to penalties pursuant to section 12-20-40721
(1)(a).22
SECTION 13. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-20-407, amend23
(1)(a)(II) as follows:24
12-20-407. Unauthorized practice of profession or occupation25
- penalties - exclusions.26
(1) (a) A person commits a class 2 misdemeanor and shall be27
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punished as provided in section 18-1.3-501 if the person:1
(II) Engages in or offers or attempts to engage in the conduct,2
promotion, or performance of live boxing matches without an active3
license or permit issued under article 110 of this title 12;4
SECTION 14. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act5
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the6
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August7
12, 2026, if adjournment sine die is on May 13, 2026); except that, if a8
referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the9
state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act10
within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect11
unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in12
November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the13
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.14
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