SJR 7 Colorado Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Black History Month February of 2026

This Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 7) is a ceremonial resolution recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals or policies - it solely commemorates the annual observance of Black History Month through historical context and Colorado-specific examples. The resolution cites Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s founding of Negro History Week in 1926, its evolution into Black History Month during the Civil Rights Movement, and highlights Colorado’s Black historical figures like Barney Ford, Clara Brown, and early state representatives. It serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of contributions to American history, not a policy change.

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Governor

Introduced Jan 30, 2026 Last action Feb 4, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Revised → Signed Act · 5 edits · Feb 4, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was converted from a draft revision to a signed act, incorporating House amendments that reorganized the text and expanded the historical narrative. The most significant substantive change is the addition of two new paragraphs honoring Colorado-specific figures: Barney Ford, a pioneer in the statehood movement, and Clara Brown, the first Black woman to settle in Colorado. The text also added details about early Black legislators and local leaders like Ruben Lewis Sims Jr. and Penfield Tate II, broadening the resolution's scope to include a wider range of state history.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include specific Colorado historical figures and events beyond the national history of Black History Month.

SCOPE

Added a paragraph recognizing Barney Ford, a former enslaved person who became a restaurateur and advocate for Colorado statehood.

Added a paragraph recognizing Clara Brown, known as the "Angel of the Rockies," the first Black woman to settle in Colorado during the Gold Rush.

Added a paragraph recognizing John T. Gunnell and Joseph H. Stuart, Colorado's first two Black state representatives.

Added a paragraph recognizing Ruben Lewis Sims Jr., the first African American firefighter in Aurora, and Penfield Tate II, the first Black mayor of Boulder.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized the legislative text to include sponsor lists and committee information typical of a signed act, replacing the original draft formatting.

Floor votes · House Feb 4, 2026

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by the Speaker of the House

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by the President of the Senate

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Introduced

Introduced In House - Assigned to

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Introduced

Introduced In Senate - Assigned to

upper

4 primary · 80 co-sponsors