Senate advances consent-calendar bills, confirms appointments and lays over others

The Colorado State Senate on March 6 moved a package of consent-calendar items, approving House Bill 1020 and Senate Bill 95, confirming governor-appointed board members and laying over several other measures for later consideration.

House Bill 1020, sponsored in the House by Representatives Gilchrist and Bacon and in the Senate by Senators Ball and Frizzell, concerns the use of colorimetric field drug tests in certain possession cases. Majority Leader Rodriguez moved the bill on the consent calendar for passage on third reading; the Senate recorded a roll-call vote of 33 ayes, 0 no votes and the measure passed. "I move for the passage of the bill on third reading," Rodriguez said before members voted.

Senate Bill 95, described during third reading as measures to support victim survivors without changing substantive criminal offenses, was moved by Senator Weisman for adoption and final passage. After brief remarks and no further discussion the Senate approved the bill by voice and roll call, with the clerk recording 33 ayes, 0 no votes. "I move for the adoption of Senate Bill 95 on third reading and final passage, and encourage an aye vote," Weisman said prior to the vote.

The Senate also handled additional second-reading and committee actions. The Committee of the Whole considered several bills on second reading and ordered House Bill 1115 to third reading after amendment. A separate motion laid over Senate Bills 40 and 87 until March 9, 2026, retaining their places on the calendar.

On the consent calendar the Senate confirmed a slate of gubernatorial appointments to several boards and commissions, including members of the board of commissioners of veterans community living centers, the state personnel board and the Colorado Racing Commission. Majority Leader Rodriguez moved the confirmations; the clerk recorded the consent-calendar confirmation vote as 34 ayes with one excused. The clerk later stated, "The appointments are adopted. The appointments are confirmed."

Procedural motions included approval of the Senate Journal for March 5, 2026 and routine committee reports authorizing referrals and amendments. The Senate recessed after completing these items and planned to reconvene at 11 a.m.

What happens next: Bills advanced on second reading will return for third-reading consideration on the Senate calendar; items laid over — including Senate Bills 40 and 87 and several resolutions — are scheduled for further consideration on March 9, 2026.