Colorado · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 1218: Clarifying Validity of Common Law Marriage
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 1218 is a bill introduced in the Colorado House on February 17, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Clarifying Validity of Common Law Marriage. Primary sponsor: Michael Carter (Democratic), Brandi Bradley (Republican), Marc Catlin (Republican), Matt Ball (Democratic), Stephanie Luck (Republican), Cecelia Espenoza (Democratic). It lists 1 additional sponsor. Most recent recorded action (May 5, 2026): Governor Signed.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Senate Bill 25-014, enacted in 2025, repealed a provision of law that stated certain marriage formality requirements do not invalidate an otherwise valid common law marriage. The act restores that provision to clarify the validity of common law marriage.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4 · Republican 3
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Carter | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 36 |
| Brandi Bradley | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 39 |
| Marc Catlin | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 5 |
| Matt Ball | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 31 |
| Stephanie Luck | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 60 |
| Cecelia Espenoza | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 4 |
| James Coleman | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 33 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Governor Signed
- Signed by the Speaker of the House
- Signed by the President of the Senate
- Sent to the Governor
- Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
- Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments
- Senate Second Reading Laid Over to 04/02/2026 - No Amendments
- Senate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
- Introduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military Affairs
- House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
- House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Floor
- House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
Showing 12 most recent of 13 actions. Full history