Rocky Mountain Voice

Colorado Strengthens Criminal Investigations With New Social Media Warrant Law

By: Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics

A law requiring social media platforms to respond to search warrants within 72 hours goes into effect on Aug. 12.

Senate Bill 011 also requires platforms to create a staffed hotline for Colorado law enforcement agencies to contact regarding pending search warrants.

The bill is a pared-down version of last year’sSenate Bill 086, which also included provisions related to violations of social media policies and minor users. While the bill passed through both the House and the Senate, Gov. Jared Polis vetoed the legislation, expressing worries about requiring social media companies to enforce state laws and about the measure’s data-collection requirements.

The Senate voted to override the veto, but efforts stalled when it became clear there weren’t enough votes in the House to successfully challenge the governor’s decision.

Polissigned Senate Bill 011 — sponsored by Sens. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, and Reps. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins and Jarvis Caldwell, R-Colorado Springs — into law last spring, calling it “a major step in supporting law enforcement by providing them with the tools needed to quickly investigate activity that threatens public safety.”

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