CO SB120

Movie theater owners, lessees, and operators in Colorado must provide open captioning at all indoor and outdoor movie showings by January 1, 2022, and thereafter for any film produced and offered with open captioning, including trailers.

Approximately 1,139,000 Coloradans with hearing loss and other groups including those with autism, dyslexia, ADHD, auditory processing disorders, and English language learners benefit from open captioning in theaters.

Open captions are preferred over closed captioning devices due to physical and practical problems with devices, including eye fatigue from viewing devices, devices breaking or not fitting cup holders, and sanitation concerns.

The requirement eliminates the need for advance notice requests, minimum attendance thresholds, and inconsistent approval processes for open caption showings.

Act takes effect 90 days after final adjournment unless a referendum petition is filed, in which case voter approval at the November 2022 general election is required for implementation.