SB 25-061

  • Colorado Senate Bill
  • 2025 Regular Session
  • Introduced in Senate Mar 25, 2025
  • Passed Senate Mar 21, 2025
  • Passed House May 01, 2025
  • Signed by Governor May 28, 2025

Federally Recognized Tribes & Construction of Laws

Abstract

Current Colorado laws do not always expressly provide whether the laws apply to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe or the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (Tribes). The act creates a rule of construction that a law does not apply to the Tribes unless the law clearly and expressly states that the law applies to the Tribes. The act further clarifies that if the general assembly enacts a new law or materially amends an existing law that is silent as to its application to the Tribes or to tribally controlled entities; purports to apply statewide; or grants a governmental agency or entity civil, criminal, or regulatory authority, it is presumed that the law does not apply within the exterior boundaries of the reservations to the Tribes, including the Tribes' officials and employees acting in their official capacities, to a tribally controlled entity, or to Tribal lands. The act reinforces that these rules of construction do not: Preclude or limit the authority of the Tribes' governing bodies from requesting inclusion in legislation pending before the general assembly; Abrogate the sovereign immunity of the state or the Tribes; or Affect the rights of the state, the Tribes, or other persons to pursue legal remedies that may be available to contest the application of laws passed by the general assembly.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Bill Sponsors (32)

Votes


Actions


May 28, 2025

Office of the Governor

Governor Signed

May 12, 2025

House

Signed by the Speaker of the House

Office of the Governor

Sent to the Governor

Senate

Signed by the President of the Senate

May 02, 2025

Senate

Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass

May 01, 2025

House

House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

Apr 30, 2025

House

House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor

Apr 29, 2025

House

House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole

  • Committee-Passage
  • Referral-Committee
House Committee of the Whole

Mar 25, 2025

House

Introduced In House - Assigned to State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs

  • Introduction
State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs

Mar 21, 2025

Senate

Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

Mar 20, 2025

Senate

Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee

Mar 17, 2025

Senate

Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole

  • Committee-Passage
Judiciary

Jan 21, 2025

Senate

Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary

  • Introduction
Judiciary

Bill Text

Bill Text Versions Format
Signed Act (05/28/2025) PDF
Final Act (05/12/2025) PDF
Rerevised (05/01/2025) PDF
Revised (04/30/2025) PDF
Reengrossed (03/21/2025) PDF
Engrossed (03/20/2025) PDF
Introduced (01/21/2025) PDF
PA1 (03/18/2025) PDF
Committee Amendment PDF

Related Documents

Document Format
Fiscal Note FN1 (02/13/2025) PDF

Sources

Data on Open States is updated periodically throughout the day from the official website of the Colorado General Assembly.

If you notice any inconsistencies with these official sources, feel free to file an issue.