[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6049897,"mediaKeyId","3506989-c64985743cee7e92058759a70170e40c","parentId",3506989,"title","Committee hears testimony and proponents push voluntary 'do-not-sell' firearm waiver for suicide prevention","audioSeconds",1221,"startMs",9997000,"endMs",11218000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3506989-c64985743cee7e92058759a70170e40c&start=9997&end=11218","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3506989-c64985743cee7e92058759a70170e40c/thumbnail_9997000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6049897/Colorado/Committee-hears-testimony-and-proponents-push-voluntary-do-not-sell-firearm-waiver-for-suicide-prevention","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049897-2fa8388dcde5d6edd69d8277866cdf31/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157766&Signature=jn0qVIa~6to8OAqIroyScfCx6Sa~IauEK4WPAXXZkD-~9V8YeAq8EI6FYdz5-i5P4uF8QhqqHSq73x7HFPJV-iWnObN4dBDjon97VNSGzzax3OcYHEBs7Gsmq~FFgbfVCLQ7D29rhz9hiue5M9PCSEfs-xhM66s~0IvRZjYmYATPj8sHnPWgpKMGgZw0rKfqXLDHTsedz-iCXP3H~P9xCD-IZD-LoKO1Fk1IthQdt54fOySKpdRkHAYOTSdBjj73f8wDDJ4hrq5LeIXoTsDtWON7poC2OGf0bfowqT-AmXUBg6HZx4nkI6qo2OGV4A4a-YFIneNAOxFb903g4QCNJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Colorado State Legislature","date","2025-04-29T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 34 would allow an individual to register a voluntary, confidential waiver (a “do-not-sell” request) with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that prevents a firearm purchase through the NICS background-check process for a 30-day window; the individual may list contact persons to be notified if an attempted purchase is blocked and may revoke the waiver, after which the CBI removes any flag after 30 days.

Sponsors emphasized the bill is voluntary and reversible and framed the measure as a suicide-prevention tool: delaying access to a firearm during a crisis reduces deaths because firearms have a high case-fatality rate. Representative Jackson and Speaker Pro Tem Basenacker said several other states — including Washington, Utah, Delaware and Virginia — have enacted similar “voluntary waiver” statutes or programs and that early experience suggests the option can prevent impulsive lethal attempts.

A panel of mental-health professionals and suicide-prevention advocates told the committee the measure would give clinicians and at-risk patients another tool: voluntary self-exclusion from firearm purchases during periods when a person recognizes they are at risk. Witnesses said many suicide attempts are brief and impulsive; restricting access to a gun during a crisis can allow time for the episode to pass and for support to arrive.

Opponents raised concerns about redundancy with existing tools (red-flag/Extreme Risk Protection Order processes and safe-storage programs), potential for fraud (third-party filing), and whether an online portal would provide adequate identity verification. Sponsors said CBI would develop verification rules and that the bill’s penalty for attempting to purchase while on the list is a modest civil fine intended to avoid constitutional conflict while creating an enforcement backstop.

The hearing produced broad supportive testimony from clinicians, suicide-prevention advocates and veterans; opponents called the bill unnecessary and warned about fraud and administrative complexity. No committee vote is shown in the available transcript excerpt; sponsors said they would work with CBI and mental-health partners on operational details and identity-verification rules before advancing the bill.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs [Apr 29, 2025]","oneSentenceSummary","Sponsors introduced Senate Bill 34 to create a voluntary, confidential 'do-not-sell' enrollment for individuals who want to temporarily suspend their ability to buy firearms; the measure drew broad support from mental-health and suicide-prevention witnesses and some public opposition on grounds of redundancy and fraud risk.","taxTitle","State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Colorado","taxId",43542,"location","Colorado","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":42,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6049902,"Committee adopts rule-of-construction bill to clarify application of state law on Ute tribal lands, adds Ute Mountain Ute amendment",8721000,9942000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3506989-c64985743cee7e92058759a70170e40c&start=8721&end=9942","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3506989-c64985743cee7e92058759a70170e40c/thumbnail_8721000.jpg","/articles/6049902/Colorado/Committee-adopts-rule-of-construction-bill-to-clarify-application-of-state-law-on-Ute-tribal-lands-adds-Ute-Mountain-Ute-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049902-90778c80ae9bc7711a433c2ec3cfa656/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157766&Signature=OltSwCKUn1G7gZIpxSzWaI3gWbh69tVuUWj2Z5252oM1UcY-WABJzLtCJ73KQplY9OoV-c9dqxyNmC0mQjw6lBPxeDDCcwC7NJ2~8xwbpnvJqdIDkIgq3iQTMd852xVYoAa3bQCTjAVhfiuOgisZ9aBhCPe-nUkxtOScnRWAqnQQdmSsbCmFBNUlKyhUtPbmN5eeD3oIVmPG2vep-ezlQpmQpasPsF7~NVGpvUr8eJUQJKPugLFsXxQ-plqiR88A2zwLtA~lq-dsANusFen0Cb7PdoFxQNA59H30H0lQyTCLHmn1ARwmQXc4fTHy8jmT5ls95mnxXJ6SeNcRoSJHiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Joseph introduced Senate Bill 61 and an amendment to add parallel language for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. The bill establishes a rule of construction: Colorado statutes do not apply to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe or the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe within the tribes’ exterior reservation boundaries unless a law explicitly states otherwise. The sponsor and the tribes’ chairman framed the bill as clarifying existing federal Indian law and avoiding inadvertent state overreach.

Chairman Melvin J. Baker of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe testified in support, saying the rule would reduce repetitive, bill-by-bill negotiations and limit legal uncertainty that deters business and government-to-government cooperation. The bill does not change sovereign immunity, does not alter jurisdiction outside reservation boundaries, and does not expand tribal rights; supporters described the measure as a predictability and deconfliction tool.

Committee members asked detailed legal questions about the meaning of “tribal lands,” how fee-simple purchases outside historic reservation lines would be treated, and whether the language might unintentionally exclude or include other tribal lands (for instance Navajo holdings). The Office of Legislative Legal Services cited 25 U.S.C. §3001 as the federal definition for “tribal land” and recommended specific drafting conventions. The sponsor adopted an amendment (L003) to add the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe at the tribe’s request.

After amendment and brief discussion, the committee advanced the bill 6–3. Several members said they supported the bill’s intent but had concerns about boundary definitions and suggested further technical work before floor consideration.

Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 61 as amended — Committee of the Whole, favorable recommendation; committee vote: 6 yes, 3 no.","Senate Bill 61, creating a presumption that state law does not apply within the exterior boundaries of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute reservations unless explicitly stated, passed committee 6–3 after the sponsor added language requested by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6049907,"Committee advances cleanup to Capitol art and memorial process, clarifies handling of original furniture",408,1899000,2307000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3506989-c64985743cee7e92058759a70170e40c&start=1899&end=2307","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3506989-c64985743cee7e92058759a70170e40c/thumbnail_1899000.jpg","/articles/6049907/Colorado/Committee-advances-cleanup-to-Capitol-art-and-memorial-process-clarifies-handling-of-original-furniture","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049907-7894b640784322c404fca4dab159d530/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157766&Signature=hJBqX8KhDGYHDUraYXxr5WlVlwuJ6Po2OxKLf8DQW3u6Rl489wX-D-DIKxcu7L6Y5~b7l0C1c4E2NaPZ2XG8ekPn8x5yer0DpYhkvpSzf1AN8TKzE1CKJ3zWAT6nCxGCQx5N7XQtXza9j~1Y0JoefWvI1rM~J9FCQqtcDWqZez9MvALcjqizAGZJiJNh6vf6vpMHhK3C8sx09O8zqhJ2ip0PjSHepgQJ9Mc8BUGI9IEOpv0Mzj2-ygRVJMckygDo04qMrc7TURw0KK1KWH3b~UEQwTHvngzgtjHhGv-Ej5ZtztMoE2QEVrr8qfKBgkUBU0MjKP9qJiT6haYyhbKgiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Linstead presented Senate Bill 287 as a ‘‘cleanup’’ to last year’s House Bill 1442. The measure clarifies that proposals for gifts or loans of art and memorials displayed on the Capitol grounds, the State Services Building (annex), and the Legislative Services Building must be approved by the committee and expands review procedures for original architectural fixtures, furniture and memorials.

Representative Linstead and witnesses explained the bill creates a process to allow original items to be loaned for conservation, exhibition, or repair when appropriate — a problem under the prior text that made removal difficult. Committee members asked how original items are identified during the current large-scale move and whether History Colorado will have staff on site or an inventory; the sponsor said the state’s nonpartisan staff is working with CBAC and History Colorado to inventories and set move procedures and would provide specifics on how the inventory and safeguards will operate.

The committee advanced the bill on an 8–3 vote. Sponsors emphasized the bill is intended to streamline necessary conservation work while protecting historic items and requiring CBAC and History Colorado consultation in decisions about disposition or removal.

Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 287 — Committee of the Whole, favorable recommendation; committee vote: 8 yes, 3 no.","Senate Bill 287, a technical cleanup to 2024 legislation, passed the committee 8–3; the bill clarifies approval and disposition processes for gifts, loans and original fixtures on Capitol grounds and the annex and directs coordination with History Colorado and the Capitol Building Advisory Committee (CBAC).",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6049912,"Committee backs bill to regulate unaccredited veterans claims consultants, amid industry objections",6210,2351000,8561000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3506989-c64985743cee7e92058759a70170e40c&start=2351&end=8561","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3506989-c64985743cee7e92058759a70170e40c/thumbnail_2351000.jpg","/articles/6049912/Colorado/Committee-backs-bill-to-regulate-unaccredited-veterans-claims-consultants-amid-industry-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049912-573b9cbbf75e59a5800772291100103a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157766&Signature=my0UfrHmwPQL87LVGyIowwZdCMHE445pFQoMfKy3ro6mX3qgZK8s-kX20Ov8wd4KlM5equWKHehS85Qol4~KRc1Chd2UiSgQppnDb3eCQwJdz9M8eyR1LEEBZRV3qKKpY26ka7OcEbk0BamSXKj-oSaftpzMTwPGi1DbKOKWM3pWVHgYqis17fbB6Z4gBaxfF7jWienBEP-uUbJGlD85-MXE-yl8WjYTxwyPC1z-z5SEDUA46HzzuNF6SaAbx7F6fDRgcvqDwcrdlyHSXVIb4OxhoPAPVz9NF~QPm5cqvQ0lNkp0ImhRsIEeTWXtPB59nph-~VylzMDdUrsJCDofbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House State, Civic, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee voted 9–2 to advance Senate Bill 282, a measure that seeks to regulate private consultants who help veterans file benefit claims. Sponsors said the bill is intended to protect veterans from predatory fee practices while preserving options for accredited veteran service organizations and attorneys.

Representative Freire (prime sponsor) and Representative Armagost told the committee the bill is a compromise after discussion across many stakeholders; sponsors said it mirrors elements of Social Security’s reimbursement structure and permits payment only for successful claims. The measure drew heavy public testimony from veterans service organizations, county VSOs and veterans who said unaccredited private firms have charged high fees, sometimes collecting for claims that later failed or for long after a veteran’s award. Testimony from VFW and United Veterans Coalition representatives said accredited VSOs obtain higher awards on average and provide consumer protections; they urged passage.

Private companies that testified in opposition — including executives from Veterans Guardian and Veteran Benefits Guide — said their firms do fully developed claims and deliver faster decisions; they argued the bill’s “lesser of $9,000 or 25% of back pay” requirement would leave many legitimate businesses unable to operate because typical client awards and back-pay windows are much smaller than veteran-advocate assumptions. Opponents said many clients voluntarily sign contracts, that firms do not take access to VA systems and that state-level regulation would risk criminalizing common business models. Supporters said the bill was carefully negotiated and that accreditation and fee caps protect veterans from large, retroactive charges tied to aggressive marketing.

Several accredited veterans service officers and attorneys described the federal accreditation process (under 38 CFR) and said accreditation is straightforward for attorneys and VSO staff; they said accreditation carries oversight and rules that protect veterans and that unaccredited actors avoid those requirements.

Sponsors moved the bill forward after a lengthy public hearing and rounds of questioning about the fee structure, accreditation process, and how the bill would interact with federal law. Representative Freire said sponsors remain open to technical amendments but asked members to advance the measure to preserve momentum for veteran protections.

Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 282 — Committee of the Whole, favorable recommendation; committee vote: 9 yes, 2 no.","Senate Bill 282, aimed at protecting veterans from predatory claims consultants by requiring disclosures and capping fees for certain claims assistance, passed committee 9–2 despite opposition from several private-sector firms that argued the fee structure would cripple their business model.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6049917,"Committee advances bill to update Colorado military justice code to mirror federal standards",0,3301000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3506989-c64985743cee7e92058759a70170e40c&start=3301&end=3301","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3506989-c64985743cee7e92058759a70170e40c/thumbnail_3301000.jpg","/articles/6049917/Colorado/Committee-advances-bill-to-update-Colorado-military-justice-code-to-mirror-federal-standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049917-5b7eb67012295a0c2c886a98505abd44/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157766&Signature=oQ1qD1Ma3Qe5z4HNPwJ57NtSW3nefFSKCBK5LHcsC0Chs2YGQafV0Q5H40e4vyQkt0~QZijifv6fjl8xQsFgxrJW2LCzSY~QYnCBzKZbe-6SLmaEHGmMcTJzwyqN7FhWhU-ntZ5iSPSFuhg7zcijpPlMhcOekKtDKiLUz-GuOZglkthW07QYAjvzF0vpqWWlAK-7tApB2x~qOBbi1noVFw2QdK79BJ1Vvc7tvx1ywAHGjZcMFSNeVnIiYh043Q36Bm-6yKBbMe6WHy3QBuBp1SAm-bxauw7aHTpeuwz7o0Fdgbr-h~g3Jz73cG5K0HOR2ivQAqN-vFZhE1qDRTWJTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House State, Civic, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee moved Senate Bill 279 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation after testimony and questions from members. The measure would replace Colorado's older Colorado Code of Military Justice with language closely aligned to the federal Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and add provisions clarifying jurisdiction and procedures for nonjudicial punishment and concurrent civilian-military cases.

Supporters, including Senate Majority Leader Duran and Representative Hartzook, told the committee the state code has not been substantially updated in decades and lacks modern definitions and procedures. Representative Hartzook said the change is driven largely by the need to handle sexual assault and other serious crimes with prosecutors who have specialized investigative and victim-services capacity, and to ensure service members have consistent rules whether on state or federal active duty. “We’re going to coordinate with the district attorney who’s got the expertise, and they get primacy,” Hartzook said.

Major Rory Devlin, staff judge advocate for the Colorado National Guard, told the committee the bill would repeal a dated list of punitive articles and provide modern criminal and procedural standards analogous to the UCMJ. He said the revised text intentionally defers felony prosecutions to local district attorneys when the DA files charges, while preserving military options if civilian authorities decline. “It is silent on any misdemeanor or other charges,” Major Devlin said when outlining how the concurrent jurisdiction provision would work.

Committee members pressed sponsors on the scope of the deferral language and whether it applied to all crimes or primarily to sex assault cases; sponsors and the JAG witness said the driving policy was resource-driven coordination where civilian prosecutors have investigative teams and special victims units. Representative Luck and others requested more detail about section numbering and interactions with existing presumption-of-jurisdiction language in the Colorado code (cited in committee as 28-3.1-606 and related sections).

Following witness testimony and a short public comment period, the committee voted 10 to 1 to advance the bill. Representative Clifford made the motion to move the bill forward; Representative Ferre seconded. The roll call in committee recorded a 10–1 favorable recommendation.

The bill as presented preserves state review procedures while updating offenses, jurisdictional rules, and court-martial review processes, according to the sponsors and the JAG witness. Sponsors told committee members they will return with technical clarifications if requested and said the measure originated from requests by military legal counsel and district attorneys to address gaps and modernize an old code.

Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 279 — Committee of the Whole, favorable recommendation; committee vote: 10 yes, 1 no.","The House State, Civic, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee voted 10-1 to advance Senate Bill 279, which would import the federal Uniform Code of Military Justice into Colorado law for the Colorado National Guard while preserving some state review procedures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears testimony and proponents push voluntary 'do-not-sell' firearm waiver for suicide prevention

Committee adopts rule-of-construction bill to clarify application of state law on Ute tribal lands, adds Ute Mountain Ute amendment

Committee advances cleanup to Capitol art and memorial process, clarifies handling of original furniture

Committee backs bill to regulate unaccredited veterans claims consultants, amid industry objections

Committee advances bill to update Colorado military justice code to mirror federal standards