CO HB1183

HB 25-1183: Colorimetric Field Drug Test Working Group

• Creates a 17-member working group to study the use of colorimetric field drug tests in criminal proceedings and correctional settings, with appointments due by July 1, 2025

• Working group must meet three times via video conference beginning July 2025 and submit findings and recommendations to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees by December 1, 2025

• Legislative Council must contract with a nonprofit organization by June 13, 2025 to staff and facilitate the working group; the nonprofit bears all costs and may accept gifts and grants

• Working group will examine potential harms from these presumptive tests, including wrongful arrests (approximately 30,000 annually nationwide involve false positives), coercive plea agreements, and racial disparities in erroneous arrests

• Appropriates $1,008 from the general fund to the legislative department for FY 2025-26; working group provisions automatically repeal July 1, 2026