Bill to Expand and Improve Colorado's Red Flag Law Passes Senate Committee

SB26-004 would add health care and education facilities to the list of entities that can petition for an Extreme Risk Protection Order.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 12:15pm

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On Tuesday, January 27th, the Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee approved legislation to expand Colorado's existing 'Red Flag' law. SB26-004, sponsored by Senator Tom Sullivan, would add health care facilities, behavioral health treatment facilities, K-12 schools, and higher education institutions to the list of entities that can petition a court for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others.

Why it matters

Colorado's 'Red Flag' law has already helped prevent gun violence, but this bill aims to strengthen it by giving more community members the ability to intervene and stop violence before it occurs. Expanding the list of qualified petitioners to include trusted health care and education institutions could help identify and address dangerous situations sooner.

The details

SB26-004 would add health care facilities that employ co-responders and health care professionals, as well as behavioral health treatment facilities, K-12 schools, and higher education institutions, to the list of entities that can petition a court for an ERPO. This builds on previous legislation in 2019 and 2023 that allowed qualified individuals like law enforcement, licensed health care professionals, and educators to file ERPO petitions.

  • The Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee approved SB26-004 on January 27, 2026.
  • Colorado's original 'Red Flag' law was passed in 2019.
  • In 2023, lawmakers expanded the list of qualified ERPO petitioners.
  • In 2024, the most recent data available, there were 164 ERPO petitions filed in Colorado.

The players

Senator Tom Sullivan

The Democratic senator from Centennial, Colorado who sponsored SB26-004.

Colorado Democrats

The party that originally passed the state's 'Red Flag' law in 2019.

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What they’re saying

“In Colorado, our 'Red Flag' law has already helped prevent gun violence, but we can strengthen it to give more people the opportunity to save lives.”

— Senator Tom Sullivan, State Senator

“Adding health care and education facilities to the list of qualified petitioners for an ERPO helps ensure that trusted community members are able to reach those who are a danger to themselves or others sooner and stop more violence before it occurs.”

— Senator Tom Sullivan, State Senator

What’s next

SB26-004 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration.

The takeaway

This bill demonstrates Colorado's ongoing efforts to strengthen its 'Red Flag' law and empower more community members to intervene and prevent gun violence. By expanding the list of qualified petitioners to include health care and education institutions, the state aims to identify and address dangerous situations earlier before they escalate.