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Legislative bills

Colorado Enacts Voting Rights Act to Protect Marginalized Groups

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed into law Senate Bill 25-1, the Colorado Voting Rights Act, which establishes various protections at the state level. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Julie Gonzales, Rep. Jennifer Bacon, and Rep. Junie Joseph, prohibits election practices that limit the participation of people of color and other protected groups, including LGBTQ+ voters, and expands multilingual ballot access and accommodations for people with disabilities.

The Colorado measure ensures that voters can cast their ballots free from discrimination and fear, and provides a safeguard against federal rollbacks of voting protections. By enacting this law, Colorado joins eight other states that have passed their own versions of voting rights acts, taking action to protect the right to vote amid concerns about federal court decisions and potential erosion of protections.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Colorado Voting Rights Act, signed into law by Governor Jared Polis, establishes various protections against election practices that limit the participation of people of color and other protected groups.
  • The bill, sponsored by Sen. Julie Gonzales, Rep. Jennifer Bacon, and Rep. Junie Joseph, expands multilingual ballot access and accommodations for people with disabilities, and ensures that voters can cast their ballots free from discrimination and fear.
  • The Colorado measure provides a safeguard against federal rollbacks of voting protections, allowing the state attorney general to enforce voting rights without relying on federal courts.
  • The bill ensures incarcerated voters have the right to vote while in custody and eases access for voters who live on tribal lands in Colorado.
  • Eligible voters in assisted living facilities will receive information to make it easier for them to vote.
  • The Colorado Legislature has taken a proactive approach to protecting voting rights, making it a priority for the state.

Statistics:

  • 61% of Coloradans support the Colorado Voting Rights Act (January poll).
  • Two-thirds of Coloradans support protecting voting rights at the state level (January poll).
  • 8 states have passed their own versions of voting rights acts.
  • Colorado's election system is considered one of the best in the country.

Sources:

  • (https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-001)
  • (https://coloradonewsline.com/subscribe)
  • (https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/voting-rights-eight-legal-battles-watch-2025)
  • (https://www.ncsl.org/state-legislatures-news/details/legislatures-pursue-state-level-voting-rights-acts)
  • (https://coloradonewsline.com/donate/?oa_referrer=midstorybox)

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