Colorado Passes Law Requiring Social Media to Honor Police Warrants Within 72 Hours

New bipartisan legislation aims to close loophole allowing tech platforms to delay criminal investigations.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:22am

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A fractured, abstract painting of a social media app icon in shades of blue, purple, and gray, representing the collision of technology and law enforcement.A new Colorado law aims to force social media companies to quickly comply with police warrants, closing a loophole that has allowed tech platforms to delay criminal investigations.Denver Today

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed a new law that requires social media companies to acknowledge and comply with state law enforcement search warrants within a strict 72-hour timeline. The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Republican and Democratic lawmakers, is intended to address growing concerns that tech platforms have been increasingly ignoring or delaying responses to criminal investigation warrants.

Why it matters

Supporters of the new law argue that delays in accessing social media evidence can have serious consequences for victims and the administration of justice. The legislation aims to hold social media companies to the same standards as other entities when it comes to complying with valid legal requests from law enforcement.

The details

Senate Bill 26-011 mandates that social media operators must acknowledge receipt of a warrant within 8 hours and fully comply within 72 hours. Companies are also required to maintain a staffed 24/7 hotline for law enforcement. The bill was championed by lawmakers from both parties, including Republican Sen. Lisa Frizell and Democratic Sen. Dylan Roberts, who cited their experience with delayed responses from tech platforms in criminal cases.

  • The bill was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis on March 31, 2026.

The players

Jared Polis

The Democratic governor of Colorado who signed the new law.

Lisa Frizell

The Republican state senator who co-sponsored the legislation.

Dylan Roberts

The Democratic state senator and former deputy district attorney who co-sponsored the legislation.

Andy Boesenecker

The Democratic state representative who co-sponsored the legislation.

Jarvis Caldwell

The Republican state representative who co-sponsored the legislation.

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What they’re saying

“It's everything from helping to track down stolen bikes and cars to helping protect the lives of Coloradans from dangerous drugs.”

— Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado

“I don't know of another instance where someone could knock on your door, give you a warrant, and you say I'll get to it when I get to it. That privilege does not exist for anyone else in our society.”

— Andy Boesenecker, State Representative

“Increasingly, warrants are being disregarded or not treated with the seriousness they deserve by social media platforms, and delays in accessing evidence can have real consequences.”

— Dylan Roberts, State Senator and Former Deputy District Attorney

“These social media companies will now be held accountable and have to respond in a timely manner, just like everyone else.”

— Jarvis Caldwell, House Minority Leader

“SB26-11 is a policy that has been three years in the making. I'm incredibly proud and humbled to work on behalf of the families who have lost so much.”

— Lisa Frizell, State Senator

What’s next

The new law will go into effect immediately, requiring social media companies to update their processes to comply with the 72-hour warrant response timeline.

The takeaway

This bipartisan legislation aims to close a loophole that has allowed tech platforms to delay or ignore law enforcement requests, which supporters say can have serious consequences for criminal investigations and victims. The new law establishes clear timelines and accountability measures for social media companies operating in Colorado.