Colorado · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 97: Decriminalize Adult Commercial Sexual Activity
Introduced Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 97 is a bill introduced in the Colorado Senate on February 11, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Decriminalize Adult Commercial Sexual Activity. Primary sponsor: Rebekah Stewart (Democratic), Lorena García (Democratic), Nick Hinrichsen (Democratic), Lisa Cutter (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (March 11, 2026): Senate Committee on Judiciary Postpone Indefinitely.
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.
The bill requires the statewide decriminalization of commercial sexual activity among consenting adults. It declares that decriminalizing commercial sexual activity among consenting adults is a matter of statewide concern and expressly preempts statutory or home rule city, town, city and county, or county ordinances, resolutions, regulations, or codes criminalizing commercial sexual activity.The bill repeals the state criminal offenses of prostitution, soliciting for prostitution, keeping a place of prostitution, patronizing a prostitute, and prostitute making display. It also repeals the offense of pandering when it involves knowingly arranging or offering to arrange a situation that permits a person to practice prostitution. The bill maintains current state criminal penalties for pandering that involves menacing or criminal intimidation and for pimping, but it changes terminology in those offenses by replacing "prostitution" with "commercial sexual activity".The bill makes various conforming amendments, including those related to: Reporting requirements, immunity, affirmative defenses, and criminal conviction records in human trafficking cases; public nuisances; certification by the peace officers standards and training board; and the regulation of escort bureaus and massage parlors. The bill eliminates a court program for persons charged with certain prostitution-related offenses.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rebekah Stewart | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 30 |
| Lorena García | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 35 |
| Nick Hinrichsen | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 3 |
| Lisa Cutter | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 20 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Senate Committee on Judiciary Postpone Indefinitely
- Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary