HB 1297: Uniform Language for Misdemeanor Traffic Offense - Colorado

Final Act → Signed Act · 1 edit · May 5, 2026

MINOR

This bill amends Colorado statutes to standardize the language used when classifying traffic offenses as misdemeanors. It adds the phrase 'MISDEMEANOR TRAFFIC OFFENSE' to various sections of the law to ensure consistent terminology across different legal contexts, such as guilty plea challenges and license revocation rules.

Scope change

The bill does not change the substantive scope, applicability, or penalties of the offenses; it only updates the descriptive labels used in the statutes to include the new uniform terminology.

DEFINITION

Updated statutory language in multiple sections (including C.R.S. 18-1-410.6, 42-2-206, and 42-4-1301) to replace or add the specific phrase 'MISDEMEANOR TRAFFIC OFFENSE' to ensure uniform reference to these offenses.

Rerevised → Final Act · 3 edits · Apr 24, 2026

MINOR

This bill standardizes the legal term 'TRAFFIC OFFENSE' throughout Colorado statutes to replace inconsistent phrasing like 'traffic misdemeanor.' It also updates specific penalty classifications for various traffic-related crimes (such as driving with a revoked license or violating an out-of-service order) to ensure they are consistently labeled as 'class 1 traffic misdemeanor TRAFFIC OFFENSE' or similar. Additionally, it clarifies the definition of 'conviction' to include deferred judgments and sentences.

Scope change

The scope of the bill remains focused on traffic law definitions and penalties, but the applicability of the new standardized terminology expands to numerous specific sections covering interlock devices, commercial vehicle violations, and driving under the influence.

DEFINITION

Replaced inconsistent terms like 'traffic misdemeanor' with the uniform phrase 'TRAFFIC OFFENSE' in multiple statutes to improve legal clarity.

Updated the definition of 'conviction' to explicitly include cases where a person has received a deferred judgment or deferred adjudication.

REQUIREMENT

Amended statutes regarding driving with a revoked license and commercial vehicle violations to specify the exact penalty classification (e.g., class 1 traffic misdemeanor TRAFFIC OFFENSE).

Revised → Rerevised · 3 edits · Apr 7, 2026

MINOR

The bill was rerevised to include additional Senate sponsors (Coleman, Jodeh, Snyder) and updated the reading status to reflect that it is now the 3rd Reading Unamended. These changes track the legislative process and sponsorship but do not alter the bill's substantive policy, scope, or requirements.

TECHNICAL

Added three new Senate sponsors: Coleman, Jodeh, and Snyder.

Updated the document header to indicate the bill is in REREVISED status rather than REVISED.

Changed the reading status note to '3rd Reading Unamended' dated April 7, 2026.

Reengrossed → Revised · 4 edits · Apr 6, 2026

MODERATE

The bill's title and committee assignments were updated to reflect its progression from the House to the Senate. The document status changed from 'Reengrossed' to 'Revised,' indicating that amendments were adopted during the second reading in the second house. The bill summary date was updated to reflect the current legislative stage.

TECHNICAL

The bill title was updated to include 'SENATE' and the date was changed to April 6, 2026, reflecting its movement to the Senate chamber.

The committee assignment for the Senate was updated to 'State, Veterans, & Military Affairs' from the previous 'State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs' order.

The header status was changed from 'REENGROSSED' to 'REVISED' to indicate that amendments adopted on second reading are now included.

The bill summary date was updated from March 13, 2026, to March 16, 2026, aligning with the new reading status.

Engrossed → Reengrossed · 3 edits · Mar 16, 2026

MINOR

The document title was updated from 'Engrossed' to 'Reengrossed' to reflect that all amendments have been incorporated. Additionally, the sponsor list was expanded to include four new legislators, and a specific date stamp for the third reading was added.

TECHNICAL

Added four new sponsors (Caldwell, Clifford, Duran, Espenoza, Keltie, Phillips, Weinberg) to the House sponsorship list.

Changed the bill status header from 'ENGROSSED' to 'REENGROSSED' and updated the accompanying text to indicate amendments were adopted in the House of Introduction.

Inserted a date stamp (March 16, 2026) and version identifier (3rd Reading Unamended) to the bill summary notice.

Introduced → Engrossed · 3 edits · Mar 13, 2026

MINOR

The bill was amended to reflect its progression from introduction to engrossed status, adding Senate sponsors and recording the date it passed the House without further changes. The substantive text of the bill remains focused on standardizing legal terminology regarding traffic offenses.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; the text continues to address traffic offense definitions and related statutes.

TECHNICAL

The bill status was updated from 'Introduced' to 'Engrossed', and Senate sponsors (Rich and Exum) were added to the list of sponsors.

A date stamp ('2nd Reading Unamended, March 13, 2026') was added to indicate the legislative history of the House version.

DEFINITION

The term 'traffic misdemeanor' was changed to 'misdemeanor traffic offense' or 'TRAFFIC offense' in several sections to ensure consistent terminology throughout the statute.

Uniform Language for Misdemeanor Traffic Offense

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