Committee advances bill clarifying how firefighter collective-bargaining ballot questions appear on coordinated elections

Senate Bill 47, a one‑page technical change to Colorado law, was advanced out of the House State, Civic Military and Veterans Affairs Committee on a favorable recommendation after sponsors said the bill clarifies the process for placing firefighter collective‑bargaining questions on coordinated election ballots.

"This is a technical but necessary update to Colorado law that improves clarity, consistency, and fairness in how ballot questions are administered for firefighter collective bargaining," said Representative Phillips, a co‑prime sponsor. She told the committee the bill "does not change the substance of collective bargaining. It simply ensures the process for getting the question to the ballot works as intended." Representative Camacho, the other co‑prime sponsor, said the clarification ensures communities that gather signatures and follow the law will have a predictable opportunity to bring these questions forward.

Jimmy Allen, representing the Colorado Professional Firefighters, urged support. "We're truly just trying to align language so everybody can agree on when we can ask voters to collectively bargain," Allen said.

No members of the public were signed up to testify beyond Allen. The committee heard no amendments and moved promptly to a vote. Vice Chair Clifford moved the bill to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation; Representative Carter seconded.

The committee recorded an 8–3 vote in favor. Representatives who voted no were Bottoms, Bradley and Locke; the remaining members voted aye. The committee chair announced the bill passed on that tally and the measure will proceed to further consideration in the Committee of the Whole.

The sponsors and supporters emphasized the bill is procedural and aimed at reducing administrative ambiguity, not altering collective‑bargaining policy. No formal amendments were adopted during the committee hearing.