Colorado Senate Panel advances RED FLAG LAW expansion

A proposal to again expand Colorado’s red flag law cleared its first hurdle Tuesday at the State Capitol.

Senate Bill Four passed the State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee on a three-to-two party-line vote, setting it up for one of the first major floor debates of the legislative session.

Colorado’s red flag law allows judges to issue extreme risk protection orders, temporarily requiring people to surrender firearms if they are found to be a danger to themselves or others. Current law allows petitions from family members, law enforcement, health care professionals, and educators.

The new bill would expand that list to include behavioral health professionals who respond to emergencies alongside police, as well as health care and educational institutions.

The bill’s sponsor, Democratic Senator Tom Sullivan of Centennial, called it a continuation of the original law passed in 2019. Supporters say the measure could help prevent gun violence and suicide by allowing trained professionals to intervene earlier.

From 2020 to 2023, Colorado exceeded the national average for firearm-related deaths, largely driven by suicides. State data shows Colorado averaged more than 11 firearm suicides per 100-thousand people, compared to about seven nationwide.

Opponents argue the proposal threatens Second Amendment and due process rights. Gun-rights advocates and Republican lawmakers warned the expansion could allow malicious or retaliatory petitions.

Sullivan said abuse of the law has been rare and quickly addressed by courts, noting the law has withstood legal challenges.

Since 2019, nearly 700 red flag petitions have been filed statewide, with about two-thirds approved.

The bill now heads to the full Senate. If passed, it would move to the House, where Democrats hold strong majorities.