By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• A Colorado bill to require local law enforcement officers to intervene if federal agents use excessive force failed to pass in the state legislature, lawmakers said.
• The proposal was backed by civil rights advocates amid national debates over policing and federal enforcement actions.
• Opponents raised concerns about legal authority, training requirements and potential conflicts between agencies.
• The measure’s defeat means current policies governing officer conduct and interagency cooperation remain unchanged.
DENVER, CO — A Colorado legislative proposal that would have required state and local law enforcement officers to intervene if federal agents used excessive force did not advance during the 2026 session, lawmakers said.
The bill, supported by civil rights advocates and some legislators, sought to impose a duty on Colorado officers to intervene and report if they witnessed actions by federal agents that they reasonably believed constituted excessive force. Proponents said the measure was intended to strengthen accountability.
Opposition from lawmakers and law enforcement representatives focused on concerns about legal authority, potential liability, the need for additional training and implications for cooperation between local, state and federal agencies, according to legislative debate records.
With the measure’s defeat, existing policies governing the conduct of Colorado law enforcement and interagency coordination with federal partners remain unchanged for the coming year. Legislative sponsors said they may revisit aspects of the proposal in future sessions.