SB 25-075: License to Sell Vehicles Criminal Offense - Colorado

Revised (05/03/2025) → PA1 (02/06/2025) · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill changes the time period for considering criminal convictions when issuing motor vehicle dealer licenses from 10 years to 3 years. It also clarifies that the 3-year period starts from the later of the conviction date or the end of incarceration, and that after 3 years, the individual's record should be treated like someone with no prior criminal history, except for crimes directly related to the auto industry which can still be considered at any time.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on motor vehicle dealer licensing, but the applicability of criminal history considerations has been narrowed from a 10-year window to a 3-year window.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the lookback period for criminal convictions from 10 years to 3 years when determining whether to revoke or deny a motor vehicle dealer license.

Established that the 3-year period begins on the later of the conviction date or the end of incarceration.

Added provision that after the 3-year period expires, the individual's application or license should be considered in the same manner as someone without a prior criminal record.

Created an exception allowing convictions for crimes directly related to the auto industry to be considered at any time, regardless of the 3-year limit.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill status from 'Revised' (including all amendments adopted) to 'PREAMENDED' (unofficial version including committee amendments not yet adopted on second reading).

Rerevised (05/05/2025) → Revised (05/03/2025) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill text was updated from a 'Rerevised' version to a 'Revised' version, reflecting that amendments were adopted on second reading in the second house. The house sponsorship list was modified to remove several names, and the reading status was changed from '3rd Reading Unamended' to 'Revised'. These are primarily administrative and formatting updates rather than substantive policy changes.

TECHNICAL

The bill version header was changed from 'REREVISED' to 'REVISED', indicating a procedural update in the legislative process rather than a change in the bill's content.

The house sponsorship list was updated by removing the names of several representatives (Duran, Garcia, Jackson, Lieder, Lindsay, Rutinel, Titone) from the list of co-sponsors.

The reading status was changed from '3rd Reading Unamended' to 'Revised', reflecting the bill's current procedural stage in the legislative process.

PA3 (05/02/2025) → Rerevised (05/05/2025) · 2 edits

MINOR

This bill was revised to clarify that criminal convictions can only be considered for license denial or revocation if they are directly related to the auto industry, and to correct formatting inconsistencies in the text. The core policy regarding the three-year lookback period for criminal convictions remains unchanged.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly limits consideration of criminal convictions to those directly related to the auto industry, narrowing the scope of offenses that can affect licensing decisions.

ELIGIBILITY

Added language specifying that only criminal convictions directly related to the auto industry may be considered when evaluating license applications or renewals.

TECHNICAL

Corrected formatting inconsistencies in the bill text, including section headers and line breaks, to ensure clarity and proper legislative formatting.

PA2 (05/01/2025) → PA3 (05/02/2025) · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Colorado statutes to establish a three-year lookback period for criminal convictions affecting professional licenses, replacing the previous ten-year requirement. The changes apply to both new and renewal license applications and clarify how the Executive Director should evaluate criminal records when considering license denials or revocations.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on professional licensing eligibility, but the time threshold for considering criminal convictions was reduced from ten years to three years.

ELIGIBILITY

Reduced the lookback period for criminal convictions from ten years to three years when determining whether to deny or revoke professional licenses.

Clarified that the three-year period begins on the date of conviction or the end of incarceration, whichever is later, if no other criminal offenses occurred during that time.

Added language stating that after the three-year period expires, individuals with prior convictions should be evaluated the same as those without criminal records.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting and wording adjustments to improve clarity in the statutory language regarding license revocation and denial procedures.

Final Act (05/15/2025) → PA2 (05/01/2025) · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Colorado statutes to limit how long criminal convictions can be considered when determining whether to revoke or deny a motor vehicle dealer license. The changes reduce the lookback period from ten years to three years for most convictions, while still allowing consideration of crimes directly related to the auto industry at any time. The bill also clarifies that the Executive Director must only consider convictions within this three-year window if the applicant has not committed other offenses during that period.

Scope change

The bill narrows the scope of criminal history considered for license decisions, reducing the time period from ten years to three years for most offenses while maintaining an exception for auto-industry related crimes.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed the lookback period for criminal convictions from ten years to three years when determining license revocation or denial.

Added requirement that convictions can only be considered for three years starting from the date of conviction or end of incarceration, whichever is later.

Clarified that after the three-year period, applicants are evaluated the same as those without prior criminal records, except for auto-industry related crimes.

REQUIREMENT

Added language specifying that the Executive Director shall only consider criminal convictions within the defined three-year period.

TECHNICAL

Changed statutory language from 'shall be revoked or denied if' to 'shall revoke or deny the license if' for clarity.

Signed Act (06/04/2025) → Final Act (05/15/2025) · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill clarifies how criminal convictions are considered when the Motor Vehicle Dealer Board issues or denies licenses. It limits the lookback period for criminal convictions to three years from the date of conviction or release from incarceration, whichever is later, rather than ten years. This change provides greater clarity and potentially more leniency for applicants with older convictions.

Scope change

The bill modifies the eligibility criteria for motor vehicle dealer licenses by changing the time period for considering criminal convictions.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed the lookback period for criminal convictions from ten years to three years, starting from the date of conviction or the end of incarceration, whichever is later.

REQUIREMENT

Added new subsection (8)(a.5) to Colorado Revised Statutes 44-20-121 that specifies how criminal convictions should be considered for license revocation or denial.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting changes including bill title reorganization, signature line updates, and document preparation notes.

Reengrossed (04/21/2025) → Signed Act (06/04/2025) · 4 edits · Jun 4, 2025

MODERATE

This bill modifies how Colorado's Motor Vehicle Dealer Board considers criminal convictions when issuing or renewing dealer licenses. It reduces the lookback period for most criminal convictions from 10 years to 3 years, provided no other crimes were committed during that time. However, convictions directly related to the auto industry can still be considered at any time. The bill also clarifies that after the 3-year period, applicants are evaluated the same as those without criminal records.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on motor vehicle dealer licensing, but the eligibility criteria for applicants with criminal records have been significantly narrowed to promote rehabilitation and reduce barriers to entry for dealers who have completed their sentences.

ELIGIBILITY

Reduced the lookback period for criminal convictions from 10 years to 3 years for most offenses, allowing dealers to qualify for licenses sooner if they haven't committed new crimes during that period.

Clarified that after the 3-year period expires, applicants with criminal records are evaluated the same as applicants without records, removing ongoing penalties for past convictions.

REQUIREMENT

Added an exception allowing the Board to consider auto-industry-related convictions at any time, regardless of the 3-year limit.

TIMELINE

Maintained the existing referendum petition process requiring potential public vote approval before the act takes effect, with implementation delayed until after the 2026 general election.

Engrossed (04/17/2025) → Reengrossed (04/21/2025) · 3 edits · Apr 21, 2025

MINOR

The bill was reengrossed to include amendments adopted in the House of Introduction, updating the header and bill summary to reflect the current legislative status as of April 21, 2025. House sponsors were added to the sponsorship section, and the bill summary now indicates it is the 3rd Reading Unamended version with a note that a new summary will be available for the reengrossed version.

TECHNICAL

Header updated from 'ENGROSSED' to 'REENGROSSED' to reflect the bill's current legislative stage after House amendments.

Additional House sponsors (Ball, Cutter, Jodeh, Michaelson Jenet, Wallace, Weissman) were added to the sponsorship section.

Bill summary text updated to indicate this is the 3rd Reading Unamended version and that a new summary will be available for the reengrossed version.

Introduced (01/22/2025) → Engrossed (04/17/2025) · 4 edits · Apr 21, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add the Appropriations committee to Senate oversight and to add a new section applying the same criminal conviction standards to a different type of motor vehicle license. The text of the criminal conviction provisions was also modified to clarify that the board can only deny a license if the applicant has not been rehabilitated and poses an unreasonable risk.

Scope change

The bill now applies to two different sections of motor vehicle dealer licensing law (44-20-121 and 44-20-420) instead of just one, expanding its applicability to additional license types.

SCOPE

Added Appropriations committee to Senate committee oversight.

Added a new section (Section 2) applying criminal conviction standards to Colorado Revised Statutes 44-20-420, expanding the bill's reach to additional license types.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the authority to revoke or deny a license from the 'board' to the 'executive director' in the first section.

Modified the criminal conviction standard to require the board to determine that the licensee or applicant has not been rehabilitated and creates an unreasonable risk before denying a license, rather than automatically revoking based on the conviction alone.

License to Sell Vehicles Criminal Offense

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