Colorado lawmakers considered controversial new legislation Tuesday that would expand the state’s Extreme Risk gun laws.
The Colorado Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee heard from dozens of concerned citizens, experts and organizations over Senate Bill 26-004, or the Extreme Risk Protection Order.
The five-senator committee had not voted on 26-004 as of late Tuesday afternoon. If the bill passed, it would expand the Extreme Risk Protection Order in Colorado, which allows personal and professionally related individuals to petition for the removal of firearms from somebody. The bill was introduced early into the 2026 legislative session, which began Jan. 14.
“Teachers spend a lot of time with our children and are aware of their potential for violence,” said former Colorado state Sen. Evie Hudak on behalf of the Colorado PTA at the Tuesday meeting.
“In many cases, the people who commit school shootings are connected with the school, and they nearly always exhibit warning signs,” the Democrat said.
Large portions of the debate between speakers at the committee hearing centered around the role teachers could play in issuing ERPOs, often referred to as a Red Flag law.
Under current law, family members, law enforcement, district attorneys, medical and mental health providers, and educators can petition for ERPOs. The petition then goes through a process to temporarily remove an individual’s right to own a firearm, which is designed to prevent harm to oneself and others.
SB 26-004’s expansion would allow “institutional petitioners” to petition for ERPOs. This includes health care facilities, behavioral health facilities, schools and colleges/universities.
Some opponents to the law said it puts an added burden on educators.
“One of my most important roles as a teacher is recognizing when a student is in crisis,” said Michelle Gray, a retired high school math teacher. She said she worried ERPO expansion would corrode the trust between her and her students.
“More than anything, trust manners,” said Gray. “Students only come forward when they believe their teachers are there to help them, not to report them or to trigger legal action. 004 is being presented as mental health in a public safety bill – It’s neither … What it does is expand government authority to confiscate firearms and restrict the constitutional right to keep their arms.”
ERPO was introduced in Colorado in 2019 and expanded in 2023. As of 2023, 21 states and Washington D.C. have some version of ERPO, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
The Colorado Office of Gun Violence Prevention reported 164 ERPO petitions were filed in 2024, with 80% granted.
The Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee next meets Jan. 29.
