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Second Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REREVISED
This Version Includes All Amendments
Adopted in the Second House
LLS NO. 26-0795.01 Chelsea Princell x4335 HOUSE BILL 26-1232
House Committees Senate Committees
Judiciary Judiciary
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN MONETARY ASSESSMENTS101
AGAINST A JUVENILE IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.102
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.)
Under current law, courts may not assess or collect administrative
fees, costs, and surcharges in juvenile delinquency cases involving a
juvenile under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court when a juvenile has
been charged with or adjudicated of certain crimes. The bill adds that
courts or the state is prohibited from assessing or collecting
administrative fees, costs, and surcharges assessed against a juvenile or
SENATE
3rd Reading Unamended
March 27, 2026
SENATE
Amended 2nd Reading
March 26, 2026
HOUSE
3rd Reading Unamended
March 13, 2026
HOUSE
2nd Reading Unamended
March 12, 2026
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Espenoza and Bacon, Boesenecker, Brown, Camacho, Carter, Garcia, Hamrick, Jackson,
Joseph, Lindsay, Mabrey, McCluskie, Nguyen, Sirota, Story
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Gonzales J. and Lindstedt, Amabile, Ball, Benavidez, Coleman, Cutter, Daugherty,
Exum, Hinrichsen, Jodeh, Kipp, Kolker, Marchman, Wallace, Weissman
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.
the juvenile's parents, guardian, or legal custodian when the juvenile was
under 18 years old when the crime was committed and under 21 years old
when the juvenile was sentenced.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly2
finds that:3
(a) In 2021, the general assembly passed House Bill 21-1315 to4
eliminate administrative fees and court costs assessed on juveniles, make5
administrative fees and court costs already assessed against juveniles6
unenforceable and uncollectable, and vacate court orders that imposed the7
uncollectable administrative fees and court costs;8
(b) While the intent of House Bill 21-1315 was to eliminate the9
assessment and collection of administrative fees and court costs against10
juveniles, courts have continued to assess administrative fees and court11
costs against juveniles but have not collected on those assessments;12
(c) In 2025, the general assembly passed House Bill 25-1294 to13
eliminate the June 30, 2025, repeal date that was included in House Bill14
21-1315 to ensure that any administrative fees and court costs assessed15
against a juvenile would not be collected;16
(d) Fees should not follow a person who was a child at the time17
of an alleged offense, even if the person is over the age of eighteen at the18
time of adjudication or if the case of the person is directly filed in district19
court or transferred from the juvenile court to the district court; and20
(e) The judiciary has not faced any harm from eliminating the21
fees, and the value to juveniles and their parents or guardians has been22
immense.23
(2) Therefore, the general assembly declares that additional24
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legislation is necessary to clarify the law and ensure that administrative1
fees and court costs are not assessed or collected against juveniles.2
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 16-11-101.6, add (8)3
as follows:4
16-11-101.6. Collection of fines and fees - methods - charges5
- judicial collection enhancement fund - creation - definition.6
(8) (a) A COURT SHALL NOT ASSESS A TIME PAYMENT FEE AGAINST7
A JUVENILE OR AGAINST THE JUVENILE 'S PARENT, GUARDIAN, OR LEGAL8
CUSTODIAN. A COURT OR THE STATE SHALL NOT ENFORCE OR COLLECT9
COURT-ORDERED COSTS ASSESSED BY THE COURT ON OR AFTER JULY 6,10
2021, THAT ARE OUTSTANDING AGAINST A JUVENILE OR THE JUVENILE 'S11
PARENT, GUARDIAN, OR LEGAL CUSTODIAN.12
(b) AS USED IN THIS SUBSECTION (8), "JUVENILE" MEANS A PERSON13
WHO IS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD WHEN THE CRIME IS COMMITTED.14
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-1.3-507, amend15
(6)(a) as follows:16
18-1.3-507. Community or useful public service -17
misdemeanors - definition.18
(6) (a) (I) The court shall assess a fee, not to exceed one hundred19
twenty dollars, upon every person required to perform community or20
useful public service pursuant to section 18-1.3-501 (2), 18-18-432, or21
42-4-1301.4. The amount of the fee must be commensurate with the costs22
of administering the person's community or useful public service23
program. The court may waive this fee if the court determines the24
defendant to be IS indigent. In counties where the judicial department25
operates the local useful public service program, the court shall transfer26
each such fee to the state treasurer, who shall credit the fee to the fund27
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created in section 18-1.3-507.5. The court shall not impose the fee1
described in this subsection (6)(a) on a person under the jurisdiction of2
the juvenile court, as defined in section 19-1-103, or the person's parent,3
guardian, or legal custodian. A COURT SHALL NOT ASSESS FEES DESCRIBED4
IN THIS SUBSECTION (6)(a) AGAINST A JUVENILE OR AGAINST THE5
JUVENILE'S PARENT, GUARDIAN, OR LEGAL CUSTODIAN. A COURT OR THE6
STATE SHALL NOT ENFORCE OR COLLECT A FEE IMPOSED BY THE COURT ON7
OR AFTER JULY 6, 2021, THAT IS OUTSTANDING AGAINST A JUVENILE OR8
THE JUVENILE'S PARENT, GUARDIAN, OR LEGAL CUSTODIAN.9
(II) A S USED IN THIS SUBSECTION (6)(a), " JUVENILE" MEANS A10
PERSON WHO IS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD WHEN THE CRIME IS11
COMMITTED.12
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-1.3-701, add (7)13
as follows:14
18-1.3-701. Judgment of costs and fines - definitions.15
(7) (a) T HE COSTS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS16
SECTION SHALL NOT BE ASSESSED AGAINST A JUVENILE OR THE JUVENILE'S17
PARENT, GUARDIAN, OR LEGAL CUSTODIAN. A COURT OR THE STATE SHALL18
NOT ENFORCE OR COLLECT ANY COSTS ASSESSED BY THE COURT ON OR19
AFTER JULY 6, 2021, THAT ARE OUTSTANDING AGAINST A JUVENILE OR THE20
JUVENILE'S PARENT, GUARDIAN, OR LEGAL CUSTODIAN.21
(b) AS USED IN THIS SUBSECTION (7), "JUVENILE" MEANS A PERSON22
WHO IS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD WHEN THE CRIME IS COMMITTED.23
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-21-103, add (1.4)24
as follows:25
18-21-103. Source of revenues - allocation of money - sex26
offender surcharge fund - sexual exploitation of children surcharge27
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fund - creation - definition.1
(1.4) (a) A COURT SHALL NOT REQUIRE A JUVENILE OR THE2
JUVENILE'S PARENT , GUARDIAN , OR LEGAL CUSTODIAN TO PAY THE3
SURCHARGE DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION. A COURT OR4
THE STATE SHALL NOT ENFORCE OR COLLECT A COURT -ORDERED5
SURCHARGE CHARGED TO THE JUVENILE OR THE JUVENILE 'S PARENT ,6
GUARDIAN, OR LEGAL CUSTODIAN ON OR AFTER JULY 6, 2021, THAT IS7
OUTSTANDING AGAINST A JUVENILE OR THE JUVENILE 'S PARENT ,8
GUARDIAN, OR LEGAL CUSTODIAN.9
(b) A S USED IN THIS SUBSECTION (1.4), "JUVENILE" MEANS A10
PERSON WHO IS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD WHEN THE CRIME IS11
COMMITTED.12
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-25-101, amend13
(1)(b) as follows:14
18-25-101. Restorative justice surcharge - definitions.15
(1) (b) (I) The surcharge described in this section does not apply16
to a person under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court or the person's17
parent, guardian, or legal custodian. THE SURCHARGE DESCRIBED IN THIS18
SECTION SHALL NOT BE ASSESSED AGAINST A JUVENILE OR CHARGED TO19
THE JUVENILE'S PARENT, GUARDIAN, OR LEGAL CUSTODIAN. A COURT OR20
THE STATE SHALL NOT ENFORCE OR COLLECT ANY SURCHARGE ASSESSED21
BY THE COURT ON OR AFTER JULY 6, 2021, THAT IS OUTSTANDING AGAINST22
A JUVENILE OR THE JUVENILE'S PARENT, GUARDIAN, OR LEGAL CUSTODIAN.23
(II) A S USED IN THIS SUBSECTION (1)(b), " JUVENILE" MEANS A24
PERSON WHO IS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD WHEN THE CRIME IS25
COMMITTED.26
SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 21-1-103, amend (3)27
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as follows:1
21-1-103. Representation of indigent persons - definition.2
(3) (a) The state public defender shall make the determination of3
indigency, subject to review by the court. When a defendant or, if4
applicable, the defendant's parent or legal guardian requests5
representation by a public defender, such person shall submit an6
appropriate application, the form of which states that the application is7
signed under oath and under the penalty of perjury and that a false8
statement may be prosecuted as such. The applicant shall pay a9
nonrefundable processing fee of twenty-five dollars if the court-appointed10
counsel enters an appearance based upon the application; except that a11
person under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, as defined in section12
19-1-103; A JUVENILE; or the person's OR JUVENILE'S parent, guardian, or13
legal custodian, is not required to pay the processing fee. A COURT OR THE14
STATE SHALL NOT ENFORCE OR COLLECT A PROCESSING FEE ASSESSED BY15
THE COURT ON OR AFTER JULY 6, 2021, THAT IS OUTSTANDING AGAINST A16
PERSON UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE JUVENILE COURT, AS DEFINED IN17
SECTION 19-1-103; A JUVENILE; OR THE PERSON'S OR JUVENILE'S PARENT,18
GUARDIAN, OR LEGAL CUSTODIAN . The fee is assessed at the time of19
sentencing, if sentencing occurs, or upon other final disposition of the20
case; except that the court may, at sentencing or other final disposition,21
waive the fee if the court determines, based upon the financial22
information submitted by the party being represented by the23
court-appointed counsel, that the person does not have the financial24
resources to pay the fee. Before the court appoints a public defender25
based on said THE application, the court shall advise the defendant or, if26
applicable, the defendant's parent or legal guardian that the application is27
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signed under oath and under the penalty of perjury. A copy of the1
application must be sent to the prosecuting attorney for review, and, upon2
request, the court shall hold a hearing on the issue of the eligibility for3
appointment of the public defender's office. Processing fees collected4
pursuant to this subsection (3) are transmitted to the state treasurer, who5
shall credit the same to the general fund.6
(b) AS USED IN THIS SUBSECTION (3), "JUVENILE" MEANS A PERSON7
WHO IS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD WHEN THE CRIME IS COMMITTED.8
SECTION 8. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-4.1-119, add (1.7)9
as follows:10
24-4.1-119. Costs and surcharges levied on criminal actions11
and traffic offenses - definition.12
(1.7) (a) A COST OR SURCHARGE LEVIED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION13
(1)(a) OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE ASSESSED AGAINST A JUVENILE OR14
AGAINST THE JUVENILE 'S PARENT, GUARDIAN, OR LEGAL CUSTODIAN . A15
COURT OR THE STATE SHALL NOT ENFORCE OR COLLECT COURT -LEVIED16
COSTS OR SURCHARGES ASSESSED BY THE COURT ON OR AFTER JULY 6,17
2021, THAT ARE OUTSTANDING AGAINST THE JUVENILE OR THE JUVENILE'S18
PARENT, GUARDIAN, OR LEGAL CUSTODIAN.19
(b) A S USED IN THIS SUBSECTION (1.7), "JUVENILE" MEANS A20
PERSON WHO IS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD WHEN THE CRIME IS21
COMMITTED.22
SECTION 9. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-4.2-104, add (3)23
as follows:24
24-4.2-104. Surcharges levied on criminal actions and traffic25
offenses - definition.26
(3) (a) A COST OR SURCHARGE LEVIED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION27
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(1)(a)(I) OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE ASSESSED AGAINST A JUVENILE1
OR AGAINST THE JUVENILE'S PARENT, GUARDIAN, OR LEGAL CUSTODIAN.2
A COURT OR THE STATE SHALL NOT ENFORCE OR COLLECT COURT-LEVIED3
COSTS OR SURCHARGES ASSESSED BY THE COURT ON OR AFTER JULY 6,4
2021, THAT ARE OUTSTANDING AGAINST THE JUVENILE OR THE JUVENILE'S5
PARENT, GUARDIAN, OR LEGAL CUSTODIAN.6
(b) AS USED IN THIS SUBSECTION (3), "JUVENILE" MEANS A PERSON7
WHO IS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD WHEN THE CRIME IS COMMITTED.8
SECTION 10. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-1307, amend9
(10.5) as follows:10
42-4-1307. Penalties for traffic offenses involving alcohol and11
drugs - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal.12
(10.5) (a) The costs and surcharges described in subsection (10)13
of this section do not apply to a person under the jurisdiction of the14
juvenile court, as defined in section 19-1-103; A JUVENILE; or the person's15
OR JUVENILE 'S parent, guardian, or legal custodian. A COURT OR THE16
STATE SHALL NOT ENFORCE OR COLLECT A COURT -LEVIED COST OR17
SURCHARGE ASSESSED BY THE COURT ON OR AFTER JULY 6, 2021, THAT IS18
OUTSTANDING AGAINST A PERSON UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE19
JUVENILE COURT, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 19-1-103; A JUVENILE; OR THE20
PERSON'S OR JUVENILE'S PARENT, GUARDIAN, OR LEGAL CUSTODIAN.21
(b) A S USED IN THIS SUBSECTION (10.5), "JUVENILE" MEANS A22
PERSON WHO IS UNDER EIGH TEEN YEARS OLD WHEN THE CRIME IS23
COMMITTED.24
SECTION 11. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,25
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate26
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for27
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the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state1
institutions.2
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