Colorado: Protecting Public Safety: Governor Polis Signs Social Media Law to Support Law Enforcement and Enhance Safety

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DENVER ~ Denver, CO - In a move to enhance public safety online and provide law enforcement with the necessary tools to investigate criminal activity, Governor Jared Polis signed SB26-011 into law today. The bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Senators Lisa Frizell and Dylan Roberts, as well as Representatives Andrew Boesenecker and Jarvis Caldwell, aims to make Colorado one of the top ten safest states in the country.

During the signing ceremony, Governor Polis emphasized the importance of protecting Coloradans, especially children, in the digital world. "To achieve that goal, we need to ensure that warrants are complied with quickly so that suspects can be apprehended before they have a chance to cover their tracks," he stated. "Today's law is a major step in supporting law enforcement by providing them with the tools needed to quickly investigate online activity that threatens public safety."

The new law requires social media operators to respond promptly to law enforcement warrants. They must acknowledge receipt of the warrant within 8 hours and respond within 72 hours. This will allow investigators to access crucial digital evidence in a timely manner.

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Senator Lisa Frizell expressed her pride and gratitude for being able to work on this legislation for three years. "I am incredibly proud and humbled to work on behalf of families who have lost so much but continue to strive for justice," she said.

Senator Dylan Roberts, a former Deputy District Attorney, also stressed the importance of digital evidence in criminal investigations. "Increasingly, warrants are being disregarded or not treated seriously by social media platforms," he explained. "Delays in accessing evidence can have real consequences. This bill helps ensure that court-approved warrants are respected so investigators can move quickly and responsibly."

Representative Andrew Boesenecker echoed these sentiments, stating that this legislation is about ensuring families who have been harmed do not have to wait indefinitely for justice. "When a judge authorizes a lawful search warrant, law enforcement deserves timely access to evidence, whether it exists in a filing cabinet or with a social media platform," he said.

Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell also emphasized the importance of closing gaps that have left many Coloradans without answers. "This bill ensures that when tragedy strikes, families and law enforcement are not left waiting indefinitely for answers held by covered platforms," he stated.

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Governor Polis has made it a priority to make Colorado one of the top ten safest states in the country. He believes that this new law, along with other data-driven crime prevention investments, will help achieve this goal. Recent data shows a significant decrease in crime in 2025, with a 13.3% decrease in violent crime and a 17.5% decrease in property crime.

In addition to SB26-011, Governor Polis also signed two other bills into law administratively: SB26-007 - Medical Marijuana Use in Health Facilities and SB26-016 - Prohibit Discharge Preproduction Plastic Materials.

In his signing statement for SB26-007, Governor Polis stated that this bill will help ensure that patients who use medical marijuana can continue to receive care at health facilities without fear of discrimination.

For SB26-016, Governor Polis emphasized the importance of protecting the environment by reducing plastic waste. "This bill aligns with our commitment to sustainability and protecting our natural resources," he said.

With these new laws in place, Governor Polis hopes to continue making Colorado a safe and thriving state for all its residents.

Filed Under: Government, State

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