HB 17-1241 Summary

• Relocates Indian arts and crafts sales laws from Title 12, Article 44.5 of Colorado Revised Statutes to Title 6, Article 15, Part 2 as part of Title 12 organizational recodification.

• Establishes requirements for sellers of authentic Indian arts and crafts to inquire about production methods and materials, with prohibitions on selling counterfeit items without proper labeling and disclosure.

• Prohibits knowingly selling products misrepresented as authentic Indian arts and crafts, requires silver content disclosure for items purporting to be silver (minimum 90% pure), and mandates visible labeling of authentic Indian items with tags or display cards.

• Makes violations of turquoise misrepresentation or false labeling punishable as Class 1 misdemeanors and allows private civil actions for actual damages, attorney fees, and court costs.

• Takes effect August 9, 2017, unless a referendum petition is filed, in which case it requires voter approval in November 2018 to become effective.