SB 35 Colorado Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Increase of Traffic Violation Penalties

Summary
The act increases the penalties for improperly passing a vehicle in a no-passing zone and clarifies that no-passing zones are indicated by a solid yellow line or line pavement markings. The act requires the Colorado department of transportation to prioritize installing signage on roadways with increased incidents of crashes resulting from illegal overtaking on the left.     The act increases the points assessed for multiple speeding violations within a one-year, 2-year, or 5-year period for driving 20 miles per hour or more in excess of the reasonable and prudent speed or driving in excess of a 75 miles per hour speed limit and requires drivers driving a vehicle 100 miles per hour or greater be assessed 4 additional points. The act requires that drivers who have multiple speeding violations within a one-year, 2-year, or 5-year period receive a summons and complaint upon committing their violation instead of a penalty assessment notice.     The act increases the fine for violating regulations regarding transporting hazardous materials by motor vehicle to $500 and increases the fine range for a second or subsequent violation to $500 to $1,000.     The act appropriates $30,943 to the Colorado department of revenue from the Colorado DRIVES vehicle services account.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 26, 2026 Signed May 27, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 5 comparisons

What changed between versions

Rerevised Final Act · 4 edits · May 22, 2026
MODERATE
This bill introduces stricter penalties for aggressive driving, specifically improper passing in no-passing zones and repeated speeding violations. It adds new points to a driver's license for these offenses and requires the Department of Transportation to prioritize installing warning signage on roads with high rates of illegal overtaking crashes.
Scope change
The bill expands the point system for traffic violations to include specific thresholds for repeated speeding and improper passing, and it creates a new mandate for the Department of Transportation to address high-crash zones.
ENFORCEMENT

Added a new violation category for improper passing in a no-passing zone, assigning 6 points to a driver's license.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the point system for speeding violations to award additional points (2, 4, or 8) based on the frequency of violations within 12, 24, or 60-month periods.

Added a requirement for the Department of Transportation to prioritize installing signage on roadways with increased crashes resulting from illegal overtaking.

DEFINITION

Clarified that no-passing zones are indicated by solid yellow lines or pavement markings.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
19
Key actions
8
Committee
5
Amendments
1
May 27, 2026
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
May 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by the Speaker of the House
lower
May 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by the President of the Senate
upper
May 13, 2026
Introduced
Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
upper
May 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
lower
May 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Committee
House Committee on Transportation, Housing & Local Government Refer Amended to Appropriations
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Introduced
Introduced In House - Assigned to Transportation, Housing & Local Government
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
upper
Mar 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole
upper
Mar 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Committee
Senate Committee on Transportation & Energy Refer Amended to Appropriations
upper
Jan 26, 2026
Introduced
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Transportation & Energy
upper
2 primary · 10 co-sponsors

Sponsors