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HB 25-1181

Colorado Rangers Law Enforcement Shared Reserve

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jennifer Bacon and 19 co-sponsors

Colorado Rangers are a POST-certified, statewide reserve police force governed by an IGA, with defined liability, governance powers, and potential compensation/donations under CLER

Governor Signed
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Bill Summary · HB 25-1181

Summary — HB 25-1181: Colorado Rangers Law Enforcement Shared Reserve

Status: Governor signed (effective March 26, 2025)
Introduced: February 10, 2025
Primary sponsors: Reps. Chad Clifford, Rose Pugliese; Sens. Mike Weissman, Paul Lundeen

Purpose / Intent

Clarify and codify the legal status, authority, and oversight of the Colorado Rangers Law Enforcement Shared Reserve (CLER, commonly “Colorado Rangers”), including the Rangers’ peace‑officer classification, governance, liability treatment, and limited authority to receive compensation and outside funding.

Key provisions

  • Defines and codifies the CLER as a statewide shared reserve law‑enforcement agency established as a political subdivision through an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) (adds definition in 24-33.5-802).
  • Explicitly adds “Colorado Ranger” to the list of positions required to hold P.O.S.T. certification (amends 16-2.5-102) and creates a new statutory definition:
    • 16-2.5-153: a Colorado Ranger is a P.O.S.T.‑certified reserve police officer whose duties are limited by section 24-33.5-802.
  • Adds statutory definitions for “Colorado Ranger” and “Colorado Rangers Law Enforcement Shared Reserve” (24-33.5-802(3.3) and (3.5)).
  • Clarifies liability and control: any governmental entity (state or local) that enters into an IGA or mutual aid agreement with CLER or uses a Ranger is responsible for and in direct control of the Ranger’s performance and liabilities, and must address misconduct as if the Ranger were a full‑time employee (amends 24-33.5-822(6)).
  • Grants CLER’s board (collectively appointed by mayors and county commissioners of participating jurisdictions) additional authorities (new 24-33.5-822.5):
    • Adopt policies allowing compensation to a Colorado Ranger for extended in‑state deployments or for out‑of‑state deployments under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact; compensation may be paid by the board or by member/nonmember jurisdictions under agreement terms.
    • Seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, and donations from public or private sources.
    • Submit a “sunrise” application to the P.O.S.T. Board by July 1, 2025 to determine whether any change in peace‑officer status is necessary. (The sunrise requirement provision is repealed Jan 1, 2026.)

Who is affected

  • Colorado Rangers and CLER board — formalizes POST certification requirements and governance powers.
  • Local governments and other agencies that enter IGAs/mutual aid agreements with CLER — responsible for oversight and liabilities; may incur compensation costs if board policies provide pay.
  • P.O.S.T. Board and Department of Law — required to process the sunrise review and ensure compliance with peace‑officer laws.
  • State law‑enforcement agencies (e.g., CDPS, DOC) — potential minimal workload if they use CLER as a resource.

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • No appropriation required.
  • Fiscal Note (Legislative Council Staff): minimal state revenue (possible small increase in P.O.S.T. fee receipts if additional POST certifications are required) and minimal state and local workload and costs beginning FY 2025‑26. Any material local costs depend on whether the CLER board adopts compensation policies and whether gifts/grants materialize.

Timeline / procedural history

  • Introduced: Feb 10, 2025 (House Judiciary)
  • Passed both chambers without amendment (House and Senate March 2025)
  • Sent to Governor: March 21, 2025
  • Governor signed: March 26, 2025 (took effect on signature)
  • Key deadline: CLER board must submit sunrise application to P.O.S.T. by July 1, 2025. (Sunrise provision repealed Jan 1, 2026.)

Statutory changes (high level)

  • Amend: 16-2.5-102, 24-33.5-822(6)
  • Add: 16-2.5-153, 24-33.5-802(3.3)/(3.5), and new section 24-33.5-822.5

If you want, I can produce a one‑page quick reference with the exact statutory language changes and deadlines.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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