HB26-1275 • 2026

Law Enforcement Identification & Immigration Training Requirements

The bill prohibits local and state law enforcement officers from concealing their identity while interacting with the public, with certain exceptions. The bill clarifies state criminal jurisdiction to

Crime Labor

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Rep. M. Froelich, Rep. Y. Zokaie, Sen. I. Jodeh, Sen. M. Weissman, Rep. J. Bacon, Rep. M. Carter, Rep. C. Clifford, Rep. L. García, Rep. L. Gilchrist, Rep. L. Goldstein, Rep. E. Hamrick, Rep. J. Jackson, Rep. S. Lieder, Rep. J. Mabrey, Rep. M. Martinez, Rep. K. McCormick, Rep. K. Nguyen, Rep. A. Paschal, Rep. G. Rydin, Rep. L. Smith, Rep. T. Story, Rep. B. Titone, Rep. E. Velasco, Rep. J. Willford, Rep. S. Woodrow, Sen. L. Cutter, Sen. J. Danielson, Sen. N. Hinrichsen, Sen. C. Kipp, Sen. T. Sullivan, Sen. K. Wallace
Last action: 2026-03-17
Official status: House Committee on Judiciary Postpone Indefinitely
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official text notes that this summary reflects the bill 'as introduced' and may change if amendments are adopted.

Visible and Accountable Policing Act

This bill requires law enforcement officers to show their identity, clarifies that state courts can prosecute federal officers for crimes in the state, bans certification for certain immigration agency workers, and mandates specific training.

What This Bill Does

Prohibits local and state peace officers from hiding their identities while interacting with the public, except during undercover work or when wearing protective suits against hazards like toxins, fire, smoke, or chemical irritants.
States that Colorado courts can prosecute federal law enforcement officers for crimes committed in the state, even if they claim immunity under federal authority.
Requires the P.O.S.T. board to deny certification to anyone currently employed by or previously employed with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Mandates training for all current and future peace officers on immigration law, excessive force policies, jurisdictional limits, and the duty to intervene.
Requires a state peace officer to step in to stop a federal law enforcement officer from using excessive force.
Expands the crime of impersonating a peace officer to include anyone performing police acts while hiding their identity.

Who It Names or Affects

Local and state peace officers in Colorado
Federal law enforcement officers operating within Colorado
The Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) board
Individuals seeking certification as a peace officer who have worked for ICE or CBP

Terms To Know

Peace Officer: A person employed by the state or local government with authority to enforce laws and make arrests.
P.O.S.T. Board: The Peace Officer Standards and Training board, which sets rules for training and certifies officers in Colorado.
Undercover Operations: Police work where an officer hides their identity to gather evidence or prevent crime safely.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill allows exceptions for officers wearing hazardous materials suits during specific incidents involving toxins, fire, smoke, or chemical irritants.
This summary applies only to the version of the bill as introduced and does not reflect later changes.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

L.001

HOU Judiciary

Passed [*]

Plain English: This amendment requires all law enforcement officers in Colorado to clearly show their name and agency unless they are undercover or wearing protective gear, while also giving state police the power to arrest federal agents who break state laws.

Peace officers must not hide their names or agencies when interacting with the public, except during undercover work or when wearing hazardous material suits for safety.
Law enforcement agencies must get a list of all officer names before joining task forces that include out-of-state or federal agents.
State police can immediately arrest federal law enforcement officers if they have probable cause to believe those officers broke state criminal laws, unless the act was part of their official federal duties.
The amendment creates new penalties for hiding identity and requires the P.O.S.T. Board to revoke an officer's certification or keep a permanent record of violations by out-of-state officers.

The provided text cuts off at Section 5, so it is unclear what specific rules were added regarding when state officers must intervene against federal agents using force.
Some parts of the bill mention events and dates in 2026 that have not happened yet, which makes those examples difficult to verify as real facts.

L.002

HOU Judiciary

Passed [*]

Plain English: This amendment updates the bill's introduction to explain that it aims for consistent officer identification and training while ensuring state laws on immigration cooperation are followed.

Removes a previous section of text from page 1, lines 25 through 40.
Replaces two lines at the top of page 2 with new statements about building on past reforms.

The amendment only changes the introductory purpose statement and does not show the specific rules or laws being created in the rest of the bill.
Because large parts of the original text were removed, it is unclear what other details about officer identification or training might have been included before this change.

L.004

HOU Judiciary

Passed [*]

Plain English: This amendment clarifies that the bill's rules about hiding identity do not apply to federal officers acting within their official duties and confirms that peace officers can still make lawful arrests.

Adds an exception so federal officers are not required to show identification if they were acting under their federal authority.
Clarifies that the new rule does not stop police officers from making legal arrests.

L.005

HOU Judiciary

Passed [*]

Plain English: This amendment changes the bill to only require officers who are not using their federal authority to show their identity.

The rule about showing identification now applies specifically to state and local officers.

The text does not explain what happens if an officer is acting under federal authority, so it is unclear if they must still show ID.
The amendment only changes one specific phrase on page 3 of the bill, leaving other parts of the law unchanged.

L.006

HOU Judiciary

Passed [*]

Plain English: This amendment requires hiring agencies to check the past records of law enforcement applicants for any bad incidents before they can get certified, and it bans using federal experience as a reason to skip required training.

Hiring police departments must review an applicant's old personnel files for internal investigations or use-of-force events that could disqualify them under Colorado law.
If no bad incidents are found, the hiring agency must write in the application that they checked and confirmed nothing was wrong.
Applicants who have worked as federal officers cannot skip any required state training classes based on their past experience.

The amendment text does not list every specific type of incident that would disqualify an applicant, only referring to other parts of the law for those details.
It is unclear if this rule applies retroactively to officers already hired before this change.

L.009

HOU Judiciary

Passed [*]

Plain English: This amendment changes the name of a group from 'Task Force' to 'Operation', makes reporting optional instead of required, and sets specific rules for suspending or revoking police certifications if officers hide their identity.

Changes the word "TASK FORCE" to "OPERATION" in one part of the bill.
Changes a rule so that an action is now allowed (may) instead of required (shall).
Requires the General Assembly to send reports about this issue to the P.O.S.T. Board for review.
Sets penalties where hiding identity once leads to a six-month suspension, and doing it twice or more leads to losing certification.

The amendment text does not explain what specific actions officers must take under the new 'may' rule.
It is unclear exactly which report lines were removed before this change was made because only the replacement text is shown.

Bill History

2026-03-17 House
House Committee on Judiciary Postpone Indefinitely
2026-02-19 House
Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary

Official Summary Text

The bill prohibits local and state law enforcement officers from concealing their identity while interacting with the public, with certain exceptions.
The bill clarifies state criminal jurisdiction to cover criminal conduct committed by a federal law enforcement officer in the state, even if the officer was acting under color of federal authority. Federal criminal immunity or defense from prosecution does not prohibit state criminal prosecution of a federal law enforcement officer.
The bill requires the peace officer standards and training board (P.O.S.T. board) to deny certification to an individual who has previously been employed or who is currently employed by the United States immigration and customs enforcement agency or the United States customs and border protection agency.
The bill requires the P.O.S.T. board to prescribe a training for all current and future peace officers regarding immigration law, a peace officer's duty to intervene, excessive force policies, and a peace officer's jurisdictional limit.
A peace officer is required to intervene to prevent a federal law enforcement officer from using excessive force.
The bill expands the conduct that can constitute the crime of impersonating a peace officer to include a person performing a law enforcement act while concealing the person's identity.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Second Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED

LLS NO. 26-0087.03 Owen Hatch x2698 HOUSE BILL 26-1275
House Committees Senate Committees
Judiciary
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING THE CONDUCT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT , AND , IN101
CONNECTION THEREWITH, PROHIBITING PEACE OFFICERS FROM102
CONCEALING THEIR IDENTITIES, CLARIFYING STATE CRIMINAL103
LAW JURISDICTION OVER FEDERAL OFFICERS , REQUIRING104
TRAINING ON IMMIGRATION LAWS , AND EXPANDING THE105
CONDUCT BY WHICH A PERSON COMMITS IMPERSONATING A106
PEACE OFFICER.107
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.)
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Froelich and Zokaie, Lieder, Bacon, Carter, Cliffor d, Garcia, Gilchrist, Goldstein,
Hamrick, Jackson, Mabrey, Martinez, McCormick, Nguyen, Paschal, Rydin, Smith, Story,
Titone, Velasco, Willford, Woodrow
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Weissman and Jodeh, Cutter, Danielson, Hinrichsen, Kipp, Sullivan, Wallace
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 bill prohibits local and state law enforcement officers from
concealing their identity while interacting with the public, with certain
exceptions.
The bill clarifies state criminal jurisdiction to cover criminal
conduct committed by a federal law enforcement officer in the state, even
if the officer was acting under color of federal authority. Federal criminal
immunity or defense from prosecution does not prohibit state criminal
prosecution of a federal law enforcement officer.
The bill requires the peace officer standards and training board
(P.O.S.T. board) to deny certification to an individual who has previously
been employed or who is currently employed by the United States
immigration and customs enforcement agency or the United States
customs and border protection agency.
The bill requires the P.O.S.T. board to prescribe a training for all
current and future peace officers regarding immigration law, a peace
officer's duty to intervene, excessive force policies, and a peace officer's
jurisdictional limit.
A peace officer is required to intervene to prevent a federal law
enforcement officer from using excessive force.
The bill expands the conduct that can constitute the crime of
impersonating a peace officer to include a person performing a law
enforcement act while concealing the person's identity.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. Short title. The short title of this act is the "Visible2
and Accountable Policing Act".3
SECTION 2. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly4
finds and declares that:5
(a) Colorado law enforcement operates with fidelity to Colorado6
law. Local law enforcement have authority over their jurisdictions. It is7
detrimental to the trust established between law enforcement and8
community when federal agents act unlawfully and when there is9
excessive use of force, constitutional violations, and absence of due10
process.11
(b) Colorado law must put visibility and public trust at the center12
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of law enforcement in Colorado, which includes requiring clear1
identification and accountability for actions that impact community safety2
and civil rights. Colorado law already prohibits law enforcement officers3
from using crowd control methods such as tear gas, among other4
physically harmful methods.5
(c) Our nation has been shocked by the escalation of unlawful6
actions by federal agents, which violate the first, fourth, and fifth7
amendments to the United States constitution and have resulted in illegal8
detentions, sudden and unprovoked use of force, the deaths of people with9
no criminal record, and, in the case of at least two people, United States10
citizens exercising their right to assemble and protest;11
(d) Keith Porter was killed by an off-duty United States12
immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) agent on New Year's Eve13
2025 in Northridge, California;14
(e) Silverio Villagas González, a man with no criminal record,15
was shot by ICE agents in Franklin Park, Illinois, shortly after dropping16
off his 2 children at school and daycare. Initially, he was accused of17
driving his car at agents, but police footage subsequently proved18
otherwise.19
(f) Renee Nicole Good was killed by an ICE agent in20
Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 6, 2026. Not only was she shot 321
times at point blank range, including shots to the head, but agents refused22
to allow aid to be rendered. Additionally, the shooter left the scene.23
(g) Thirty-seven-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti, an intensive care24
nurse described by the Minneapolis police chief as a United States citizen25
and a federal worker, as well as a member of the American Federation of26
Government Employees local 3669, with no criminal record, was shot27
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multiple times and killed by United States customs and border protection1
agents in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026;2
(h) Civil rights violations and clear law enforcement identification3
violations were evident long before these shootings, including throughout4
2025 during raids targeted at communities of color and with ICE regularly5
concealing agency insignias and using unmarked vehicles to detain people6
in their cars and at courthouses, schools, workplaces, homes, on the street,7
and using public transport; and8
(i) It is imperative that we protect all Coloradans and preserve9
their civil rights. We all have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of10
happiness. We all have a right to due process.11
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 24-31-908 as12
follows:13
24-31-908. Prohibition on peace officers concealing their14
identity - required publishing of policy - exceptions - penalty.15
(1) A PEACE OFFICER SHALL NOT CONCEAL THE PEACE OFFICER 'S16
IDENTITY, EXCEPT WHEN SPECIFICALLY NECESSARY TO DO SO DURING17
UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS OR SITUATIONS NECESSITATING A PEACE18
OFFICER TO WEAR A HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SUIT TO PROTECT AGAINST19
EXPOSURE TO KNOWN TOXINS , IDENTIFIED AIRBORNE HAZARDS , OR20
IMMINENT RISK OF PHYSICAL HARM FROM PROJECTILES, FIRE, SMOKE, OR21
CHEMICAL IRRITANTS IN A SPECIFIC, ONGOING INCIDENT.22
(2) A PEACE OFFICER SHALL NOT PARTICIPATE IN A23
MULTIJURISDICTIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE WITH A LAW24
ENFORCEMENT AGENCY FROM ANOTHER STATE OR A FEDERAL AGENCY IF25
OFFICERS OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY FROM ANOTHER STATE OR26
FEDERAL AGENCY KNOWINGLY CONCEAL THEIR IDENTITY.27
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(3) AN INDIVIDUAL WHO BELIEVES A PEACE OFFICER HAS VIOLATED1
A PROVISION OF THIS SECTION MAY REPORT THE VIOLATION TO THE2
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL INFORM3
THE P.O.S.T. BOARD OF A REPORTED VIOLATION.4
(4) N OTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF LAW , THE P.O.S.T.5
BOARD SHALL REVOKE THE CERTIFICATION OF A PEACE OFFICER IF, AFTER6
AN INVESTIGATION AND HEARING PURSUANT TO THE RULES IN SECTION7
24-31-303, THE BOARD DETERMINES THE PEACE OFFICER VIOLATED THIS8
SECTION. IF A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FROM ANOTHER STATE9
VIOLATES THIS SECTION, THE P.O.S.T. BOARD SHALL DRAFT A DETAILED10
REPORT DESCRIBING THE OFFICER'S CONDUCT AND SEND THE REPORT TO11
THE OFFICER 'S STATE POLICE OVERSIGHT BOARD OR AN EQUIVALENT12
AGENCY.13
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 18-1-201.5 as14
follows:15
18-1-201.5. Jurisdiction over federal law enforcement officers16
- immunity unavailable.17
(1) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, A FEDERAL18
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO COMMITS AN ACT IN THE STATE THAT19
CONSTITUTES A VIOLATION OF STATE CRIMINAL LAW IS SUBJECT TO20
ARREST, PROSECUTION, AND PUNISHMENT UNDER THE CRIMINAL LAWS OF21
THE STATE TO THE SAME EXTENT AS ANY OTHER PERSON.22
(2) T O THE MAXIMUM EXTENT ALLOWED PURSUANT TO THE23
UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, NO CRIMINAL IMMUNITY OR DEFENSE IS24
AVAILABLE TO A CRIMINAL DEFENDANT DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (1) OF25
THIS SECTION.26
(3) NOTHING IN THIS SECTION LIMITS AN INDIVIDUAL'S RIGHT TO27
HB26-1275-5-
PURSUE CIVIL REMEDIES FOR THE WRONGFUL ACT OF A FEDERAL LAW1
ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR OFFICER UNDER STATE OR FEDERAL LAW.2
(4) PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY GRANTED IN SECTION 16-3-102,3
A PEACE OFFICER MAY IMMEDIATELY ARREST A FEDERAL LAW4
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHEN THE PEACE OFFICER HAS PROBABLE CAUSE5
TO BELIEVE THAT THE FEDERAL OFFICER HAS COMMITTED A VIOLATION OF6
STATE CRIMINAL LAW, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE ALLEGED CONDUCT7
OCCURRED WHILE THE FEDERAL OFFICER WAS ACTING UNDER COLOR OF8
FEDERAL AUTHORITY.9
(5) THIS SECTION APPLIES TO ANY FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT10
OFFICER, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, AN OFFICER OR AGENT OF THE11
UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND12
THE UNITED STATES CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION AGENCY, WHILE13
PRESENT IN THE STATE.14
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-8-802, add (1.7)15
as follows:16
18-8-802. Duty to report use of force by peace officers or law17
enforcement animals - duty to intervene.18
(1.7) A PEACE OFFICER , AS DEFINED IN SECTION 24-31-901 (3),19
WHO IS ON DUTY SHALL INTERVENE TO PREVENT OR STOP A FEDERAL LAW20
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER , INCLUDING A FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT21
OFFICER WHO IS THE HANDLER OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT ANIMAL , FROM22
USING MORE THAN THE COMMENSURATE AMOUNT OF PHYSICAL FORCE A23
PEACE OFFICER IS PERMITTED TO USE PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-1-707 IN24
PURSUANCE OF THE FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER 'S DUTIES IN25
CARRYING OUT AN ARREST OF A PERSON , PLACING A PERSON UNDER26
DETENTION, TAKING A PERSON INTO CUSTODY, BOOKING A PERSON, OR IN27
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THE PROCESS OF CROWD OR RIOT CONTROL, WITHOUT REGARD FOR CHAIN1
OF COMMAND.2
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-31-305, add3
(1.5)(c) as follows:4
24-31-305. Certification - issuance - renewal - revocation -5
rules - definition.6
(1.5) (c) THE P.O.S.T. BOARD SHALL DENY CERTIFICATION TO A7
PERSON WHO HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN EMPLOYED OR WHO IS CURRENTLY8
EMPLOYED BY THE UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS9
ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR UNITED STATES CUSTOMS AND BORDER10
PROTECTION AGENCY.11
SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 24-31-311.5 as12
follows:13
24-31-311.5. Basic training - certain required subjects - repeal.14
(1) IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER BASIC TRAINING REQUIRED BY THE15
P.O.S.T. BOARD , THE BOARD SHALL PRESCRIBE A UNIFORM TRAINING16
REGARDING:17
(a) CURRENT IMMIGRATION LAWS AND REQUIREMENTS;18
(b) A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER 'S LIMITATIONS ON WORKING19
WITH THE UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT20
AGENCY AND THE UNITED STATES CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION21
AGENCY;22
(c) A PEACE OFFICER'S DUTY TO INTERVENE PURSUANT TO SECTION23
18-8-802 (1.7);24
(d) EXCESSIVE FORCE POLICIES; AND25
(e) A PEACE OFFICER 'S JURISDICTIONAL LIMIT TO ENFORCE THE26
LAW.27
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(2) A PEACE OFFICER SEEKING CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO THIS1
PART 3 MUST COMPLETE THE TRAINING REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION PRIOR2
TO BEING CERTIFIED.3
(3) (a) A CERTIFIED PEACE OFFICER ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF4
THIS SECTION SHALL COMPLETE THE TRAINING REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION5
NO LATER THAN JULY 1, 2027.6
(b) THIS SUBSECTION (3) IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2028.7
SECTION 8. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-8-112, add (1.5)8
as follows:9
18-8-112. Impersonating a peace officer.10
(1.5) A PERSON COMMITS IMPERSONATING A PEACE OFFICER IF THE11
PERSON KNOWINGLY PERFORMS AN ACT OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER12
WHILE KNOWINGLY CONCEALING THE PERSON'S IDENTITY, EXCEPT, IF THE13
PERSON IS A PEACE OFFICER , WHEN CONCEALING THE PEACE OFFICER 'S14
IDENTITY IS SPECIFICALLY NECESSARY DURING UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS15
OR SITUATIONS NECESSITATING A PEACE OFFICER TO WEAR A HAZARDOUS16
MATERIALS SUIT TO PROTECT AGAINST EXPOSURE TO KNOWN TOXINS ,17
IDENTIFIED AIRBORNE HAZARDS, OR IMMINENT RISK OF PHYSICAL HARM18
FROM PROJECTILES, FIRE, SMOKE, OR CHEMICAL IRRITANTS IN A SPECIFIC,19
ONGOING INCIDENT.20
SECTION 9. Applicability. This act applies to offenses and21
violations committed on or after the effective date of this act.22
SECTION 10. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,23
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate24
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for25
the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state26
institutions.27
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