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SB 120

Missing Person Training & Higher Education Reporting

2026 Regular Session

Colorado requires higher education institutions to establish staff/student training and law enforcement coordination protocols for reporting and responding to missing affiliated persons.

Governor Signed
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Bill Summary · SB 120

Legislative bill overview

SB 120 mandates that Colorado institutions of higher education develop and implement training programs for staff and students on identifying and reporting missing persons. The bill requires these institutions to establish protocols for coordinating with law enforcement when someone affiliated with the institution goes missing, and to maintain records of reported missing persons cases.

Why is this important

Missing persons cases on college campuses can result in serious harm or death, and delays in reporting or coordination with authorities can be critical. This legislation aims to create standardized, proactive systems across universities and colleges to improve response times and outcomes. The requirement for institutional training also addresses the reality that students and staff may not know proper procedures or recognize warning signs of at-risk individuals.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Higher education institutions may argue that developing comprehensive training programs and reporting infrastructure requires significant funding, which could increase operational costs passed to students or require new budget allocations.
  • Scope and definitions: Unclear what triggers a "missing person" report (hours missing, specific circumstances) and whether the law applies to all enrolled students/staff or only those on campus, potentially creating ambiguity in enforcement.
  • Privacy considerations: Balancing mandatory reporting requirements with student/staff privacy rights, including whether families must be notified and what information institutions can legally collect and share with law enforcement.

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

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