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HB 1023

Political Party Liability for Accessibility Requirements

2026 Regular Session

HB 1023 makes Colorado political parties legally liable for violating accessibility requirements in events, facilities, and communications, creating civil liability for non-compliance.

Governor Signed
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Bill Summary · HB 1023

Legislative bill overview

HB 1023 establishes legal liability for Colorado political parties that fail to meet accessibility requirements for their events, facilities, and communications. The bill requires parties to comply with state and federal accessibility standards (including ADA compliance) and creates a mechanism for enforcement through civil liability.

Why is this important

Political participation is fundamental to democracy, and accessibility barriers effectively disenfranchise people with disabilities. This bill directly addresses whether people with disabilities can meaningfully engage in party activities, candidate selection, and campaign involvement—core aspects of democratic participation.

Potential points of contention

  • Liability scope and cost: Unclear whether liability applies to all party activities or only official events; compliance costs could burden smaller county parties disproportionately
  • Definition of "accessibility requirements": The bill may need clearer standards for what constitutes adequate accessibility across diverse event types and venues
  • Enforcement mechanism: Questions about who can sue, what remedies are available, and whether this creates litigation incentives that exceed the actual accessibility gap
  • Private organization authority: Debate over whether government should mandate accessibility standards for private political organizations versus encouraging voluntary compliance

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

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