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SB26-104 • 2026

Require Key Boxes at Schools

The bill requires each school district or, for an institute charter school or nonpublic school, the school, (local education provider) to install a an exterior key box that contains keys and other acc

Education
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Sen. L. Liston, Sen. M. Snyder, Rep. C. Clifford, Sen. M. Ball, Sen. J. Carson, Sen. J. Coleman, Sen. L. Cutter, Sen. L. Frizell, Sen. B. Kirkmeyer, Sen. K. Wallace
Last action
2026-03-13
Official status
Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide information on whether it protects employees from civil liability.

Require Key Boxes at Schools

The bill requires local education providers to install exterior key boxes containing keys and access control devices for law enforcement, with certain exemptions.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires each school district or local education provider to install an exterior key box by July 1, 2030.
  • Specifies that the key box must meet Underwriters Laboratories Standard 1037 and be accessible to local law enforcement.
  • Allows using money from the School Security Disbursement Program for installing these key boxes.
  • Exempts schools with existing key boxes if they have an alternative plan for emergency access.

Who It Names or Affects

  • School districts and local education providers
  • Law enforcement agencies

Terms To Know

Local Education Provider
A school district, charter school authorized by the state, or a nonpublic school.
Underwriters Laboratories Standard 1037
A standard for exterior key boxes that ensures they are secure and accessible to emergency responders.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if a school fails to install the required key box.
  • It is unclear how many schools will apply for funding from the School Security Disbursement Program.

Amendments

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

L.001

SEN Judiciary

Passed [*]

Plain English: The amendment adds a provision to the bill that allows schools with existing key boxes meeting the requirements to not install new exterior key boxes.

  • Adds an exception allowing local education providers to avoid installing new exterior key boxes if they already have one that meets the required standards.
  • The amendment does not specify what the exact requirements for existing key boxes are, only that they must meet the criteria set forth in the bill's section.
L.002

SEN Judiciary

Passed [*]

Plain English: The amendment allows schools to keep their existing key boxes and alternative emergency access plans if they do not meet the new exterior key box requirements.

  • Adds an exception that allows local education providers to avoid installing a new exterior key box if they already have a non-compliant key box and an alternative plan for emergency access.
  • The amendment does not specify what the alternative plans must include, leaving some details unclear.
L.003

SEN Judiciary

Passed [*]

Plain English: The amendment changes the year from 2028 to 2030 in a bill about key boxes at schools.

  • Changes the deadline for installing exterior key boxes containing keys and other access items from 2028 to 2030.
L.004

SEN Judiciary

Passed [*]

Plain English: The amendment adds an exception to the requirement for schools to install exterior key boxes if they applied but did not receive funding from a specific program.

  • Adds an exception allowing local education providers to skip installing exterior key boxes at schools if they applied for, but did not get money from, the School Security Disbursement Program.
  • The amendment does not specify what happens if a school receives partial funding or how often this exception can be used.
L.008

Second Reading

Passed [**]

Plain English: The amendment allows schools to use funds from the School Security Disbursement Program for installing exterior key boxes.

  • Adds language that permits local education providers to use money from the School Security Disbursement Program to install exterior key boxes as required by the bill.
  • The amendment does not specify how much funding can be used or what criteria must be met for using these funds.
  • It is unclear if this change affects other uses of the School Security Disbursement Program funds.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-13 House

    Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary

  2. 2026-03-13 Senate

    Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

  3. 2026-03-12 Senate

    Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor

  4. 2026-03-09 Senate

    Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole

  5. 2026-02-11 Senate

    Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary

Official Summary Text

The bill requires each school district or, for an institute charter school or nonpublic school, the school,
(local education provider)
to install
a

an exterior
key box that contains keys and other access control devices necessary for law enforcement agencies to access each building and room located on the school grounds.
A local education provider is not required to install an exterior key box at a school if:
The school has a key box that does not satisfy the requirements in the bill and has an alternative plan and procedures to provide emergency access for local law enforcement; or
The local education provider applied for but does not receive a disbursement from the school security disbursement program that may be used to install an exterior key box at the school.

The bill permits using school security disbursement program money to install a key box.
(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)
(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Second Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REENGROSSED
This Version Includes All Amendments
Adopted in the House of Introduction
LLS NO. 26-0706.01 Conrad Imel x2313 SENATE BILL 26-104
Senate Committees House Committees
Judiciary
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING A REQUIREMENT TO INSTALL EXTERIOR KEY BOXES AT101
SCHOOLS.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.)
The bill requires each school district or, for an institute charter
school or nonpublic school, the school, to install a key box that contains
keys and other access control devices necessary for law enforcement
agencies to access each building and room located on the school grounds.
The bill permits using school security disbursement program
money to install a key box.
SENATE
3rd Reading Unamended
March 13, 2026
SENATE
Amended 2nd Reading
March 12, 2026
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Liston and Snyder, Ball, Carson, Coleman, Cutter, Frizell, Kirkmeyer, Wallace
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Clifford,
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.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 22-1-151 as2
follows:3
22-1-151. Key boxes required at schools - contents - immunity4
- definitions.5
(1) AS USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE6
REQUIRES:7
(a) "LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER" MEANS:8
(I) FOR A SCHOOL OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT, INCLUDING A CHARTER9
SCHOOL THAT ENTERS INTO A CHARTER CONTRACT WITH A SCHOOL10
DISTRICT PURSUANT TO PART 1 OF ARTICLE 30.5 OF THIS TITLE 22, THE11
SCHOOL DISTRICT OR BOARD OF COOPERATIVE SERVICES;12
(II) FOR A CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZED BY THE STATE CHARTER13
SCHOOL INSTITUTE PURSUANT TO PART 5 OF ARTICLE 30.5 OF THIS TITLE14
22, THE SCHOOL;15
(III) FOR A NONPUBLIC SCHOOL, THE SCHOOL; OR16
(IV) FOR ANY OTHER SCHOOL , THE BODY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE17
ADMINISTRATION OF THE SCHOOL.18
(b) "L OCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY " MEANS A SHERIFF 'S19
OFFICE, POLICE DEPARTMENT, OR TOWN MARSHAL'S OFFICE.20
(c) "S CHOOL" MEANS A PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THE STATE THAT21
ENROLLS STUDENTS IN ANY OF GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH22
TWELFTH GRADE, INCLUDING A CHARTER SCHOOL OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT,23
AN INSTITUTE CHARTER SCHOOL , OR A NONPUBLIC SC HOOL, WHERE24
STUDENTS ATTEND THE SCHOOL FACILITIES. "SCHOOL" DOES NOT INCLUDE25
A HOME SCHOOL.26
104-2-
(2) (a) O N OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2030, EACH LOCAL EDUCATION1
PROVIDER SHALL INSTALL AT EACH SCHOOL OF THE LOCAL EDUCATION2
PROVIDER AT LEAST ONE EXTERIOR KEY BOX THAT MEETS OR EXCEEDS3
UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES STANDARD 1037.4
(b) E ACH KEY BOX MUST BE INSTALLED AT AN APPROPRIATE5
LOCATION TO PERMIT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS EMERGENCY ACCESS6
TO EACH BUILDING AND ROOM ON THE SCHOOL GROUNDS . THE LOCAL7
EDUCATION PROVIDER SHALL DETERMINE THE PRECISE LOCATION OF EACH8
KEY BOX AT A SCHOOL AFTER CONSULTATION WITH LOCAL LAW9
ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES OF THE JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE SCHOOL10
BUILDING IS LOCATED.11
(c) E ACH LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SHALL PROVIDE EACH12
LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OF THE JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE13
SCHOOL BUILDING IS LOCATED WITH A KEY OR ACCESS CODE THAT PERMITS14
ACCESS TO THE CONTENTS OF THE EXTERIOR KEY BOX.15
(d) THIS SUBSECTION (2) DOES NOT REQUIRE A LOCAL EDUCATION16
PROVIDER TO INSTALL A NEW EXTERIOR KEY BOX AT A SCHOOL THAT HAS17
A KEY BOX INSTALLED THAT SATISFIES THE REQUIREMENTS FOR EXTERIOR18
KEY BOXES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION.19
(3) EACH KEY BOX REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION MUST CONTAIN:20
(a) THE KEYS AND OTHER ACCESS CONTROL DEVICES NECESSARY21
TO ACCESS EACH BUILDING AND ROOM ON THE ENTIRE SCHOOL GROUNDS;22
AND23
(b) A CCURATE MAPS OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL GROUNDS THAT24
IDENTIFY AND LABEL:25
(I) A CCESS POINTS TO EACH BUILDING 'S INTERIOR , INCLUDING26
ROOMS, DOORS, STAIRWELLS, AND HALLWAYS. THE MAPS MUST INCLUDE27
104-3-
THE IDENTIFIERS OR NAMES UTILIZED BY STAFF AND STUDENTS TO1
IDENTIFY THE ROOMS, DOORS, STAIRWELLS, AND HALLWAYS ON THE MAP.2
(II) LOCATIONS OF CRITICAL UTILITIES, KEY BOXES, AUTOMATED3
EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS , TRAUMA KITS , AND OTHER EMERGENCY4
RESPONSE AIDS; AND5
(III) A REAS AT OR NEAR EACH BUILDING , INCLUDING PARKING6
AREAS, ATHLETIC FIELDS , SURROUNDING ROADS , OUTBUILDINGS , AND7
NEIGHBORING PROPERTIES.8
(4) (a) T HE CONTENTS OF A KEY BOX AND THE INFORMATION9
CONTAINED THEREIN IS NOT A PUBLIC RECORD FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE10
"COLORADO OPEN RECORDS ACT", PART 2 OF ARTICLE 72 OF TITLE 24.11
(b) AN EMPLOYEE OF A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER OR SCHOOL12
IS IMMUNE FROM CIVIL LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE13
INSTALLATION AND USE OF KEY BOXES REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION UNLESS14
THE EMPLOYEE ACTED WITH GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR BAD FAITH.15
(5) N OTWITHSTANDING THE REQUIREMENT TO INSTALL AN16
EXTERIOR KEY BOX PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION , A LOCAL EDUCATION17
PROVIDER IS NOT REQUIRED TO INSTALL AN EXTERIOR KEY BOX AT A18
SCHOOL IF THE SCHOOL HAS A KEY BOX THAT DOES NOT SATISFY THE19
REQUIREMENTS FOR EXTERIOR KEY BOXES SET FORTH IN SUBSECTION (2)20
OF THIS SECTION AND HAS AN ALTERNATIVE PLAN AND PROCEDURES TO21
PROVIDE EMERGENCY ACCESS FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO EACH22
BUILDING AND ROOM ON THE ENTIRE SCHOOL GROUNDS.23
(6) INSTALLING AN EXTERIOR KEY BOX AT A SCHOOL AS REQUIRED24
BY THIS SECTION IS A PERMISSIBLE USE OF A DISBURSEMENT FROM THE25
SCHOOL SECURITY DISBURSEMENT PROGRAM PURSUANT TO SECTION26
24-33.5-1810 (3)(a). NOTWITHSTANDING THE REQUIREMENT TO INSTALL27
104-4-
AN EXTERIOR KEY BOX PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, A LOCAL EDUCATION1
PROVIDER IS NOT REQUIRED TO INSTALL AN EXTERIOR KEY BOX AT A2
SCHOOL IF THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER APPLIED FOR BUT DOES NOT3
RECEIVE A DISBURSEMENT FROM THE SCHOOL SECURITY DISBURSEMENT4
PROGRAM CREATED IN SECTION 24-33.5-1810 THAT MAY BE USED TO5
INSTALL AN EXTERIOR KEY BOX AT THE SCHOOL.6
7
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-72-202, amend8
(6)(b)(XVII) and (6)(b)(XVIII); and add (6)(b)(XIX) as follows:9
24-72-202. Definitions.10
As used in this part 2, unless the context otherwise requires:11
(6) (b) "Public records" does not include:12
(XVII) A complaint of harassment or discrimination, as described13
in section 22-1-143, that is unsubstantiated and all records related to the14
unsubstantiated complaint, including records of an investigation into the15
complaint; or16
(XVIII) Jail assessments conducted pursuant to section 30-10-53017
(5)(d) or 24-31-118; OR18
(XIX) THE CONTENTS OF A KEY BOX INSTALLED AT A SCHOOL, AS19
DESCRIBED IN SECTION 22-1-151, AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED20
THEREIN.21
SECTION 3. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act22
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the23
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August24
12, 2026, if adjournment sine die is on May 13, 2026); ex cept that, if a25
referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the26
state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act27
104-5-
within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect1
unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in2
November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the3
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.4
104-6-