Red Flag Law Expansion Clears First Senate Committee On Party-Line Vote

By: Colette Bordelon | Denver7

DENVER — On Tuesday evening, with a 3-2 vote along party lines, Colorado lawmakers advanced the first bill of the session that wrestles with the debate over gun violence prevention and the right to bear arms.

The Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee heard roughly four hours of emotional — and at times, furious — testimony regarding Senate Bill 26-004 (SB26-004), which was introduced by State Senator Tom Sullivan, D — District 27.

“My son, Alex, and 11 others were murdered in the Aurora theater massacre on July 20, 2012,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan’s goal has been to ensure gun violence prevention is a priority at the Colorado State Capitol. He sponsored the original 2019 legislation that enacted the state’s red flag law, which allows certain individuals or agencies to petition a court for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO).

SB26-004 seeks to expand the groups of people who can petition a court for an ERPO to include health care and education institutions.

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