Senate passes bill changing contempt rules for failure‑to‑appear in municipal court after reconsideration

Senate Bill 62, which addresses contempt for failure‑to‑appear charges in municipal court, cleared the Colorado Senate on Feb. 11 after the majority moved for reconsideration and the body granted final passage.

The measure was introduced by senators identified on the title as Hendrickson and Weissman and carried on the floor by Senator Hendrickson, who moved third reading and final passage and asked for an I vote.

Why it mattered on the floor

Senate leadership brought the bill back for reconsideration after it had been placed on the calendar; the majority leader moved to reconsider and the motion carried, allowing the Senate to take the bill for final passage later in the day. The Senate transcript shows recorded opposition from multiple senators during the floor roll‑call calls for the passage motion.

Vote and outcome

On final passage the Senate recorded the bill as passed. One roll‑call tally recorded earlier in the day listed the result as 22 ayes, 11 no, 0 absent, and 2 excused; after reconsideration and final passage a later tally in the transcript recorded 21 ayes, 11 no, 0 absent, and 3 excused. The transcript lists several senators as opposing the motion when the chair asked "Are there any no votes?" but the floor transcript excerpt does not include a uniform, single consolidated list of every named no‑vote across both counts. The final outcome in the transcript is that Senate Bill 62 passed the Senate.

Cosponsors and process notes

Floor announcements show the bill carried cosponsors mentioned on the record; the title reading identifies representatives Carter and Burke as House sponsors. After the bill passed, senators and the clerk recorded cosponsors and moved on to other business.

Next steps

With Senate passage complete, Senate Bill 62 will proceed according to the legislative calendar for any further House concurrence, enrollment or transmittal to the governor as applicable.