SB 23-249 Summary

• Adds definition of "shelter-in-place order" to Colorado law as an official government order directing building occupants to seek shelter from external threats.

• Makes falsely reporting a mass shooting or active shooter a class 6 felony if the report causes evacuation, shelter-in-place orders, disruptions to activities, or triggers emergency response protocols.

• Expands class 1 misdemeanor penalties for false emergency reports to include threats causing shelter-in-place orders, disruptions, or standard response protocol activation.

• Classifies bias-motivated false emergency reports (violating Section 18-8-111) as a "crime" under Colorado's bias-motivated crime statutes for purposes of enhanced penalties and tracking.

• Declares the act necessary for immediate preservation of public peace, health, or safety.