Colorado’s SB25-279: What Service Members Need to Know About This Pending Military Justice Bill
Colorado’s SB25-279: What Service Members Need to Know About This Pending Military Justice Bill
If you’re a service member living or training in Colorado, there’s a bill being reviewed right now that you should know about. It’s called Senate Bill 25-279, or SB25-279, and while it hasn’t been signed into law yet, it’s making its way through the Colorado Legislature.
So, what’s it about?
This bill would change how Colorado handles military justice for its National Guard and other state military forces. Right now, if a civilian district attorney decides not to press felony charges against a service member, that might be the end of it, at least on the civilian side. But under SB25-279, the state’s military leadership could still take action. That means you could face a court-martial through the state military system, even if the local DA says “no thanks” to filing charges.
That’s a big deal.
Even though this bill wouldn’t change federal law, it would bring Colorado’s state military code in line with the federal Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The idea is to give Colorado’s military forces more tools to handle offenses internally. It would also expand what commanding officers in the state can do when it comes to punishment and discipline.
But let’s be clear: this isn’t law yet. It’s still a pending bill, and the Governor hasn’t signed anything. Until then, it’s just something lawmakers are debating. But if it does pass, it will start affecting military members on September 1, 2025 unless it’s challenged by voters in a future election.
So, who does this apply to?
If you’re in the Colorado National Guard or another state military force, and you’re not on federal active duty orders (like Title 10), this bill would apply to you. It doesn’t matter if your home of record is in another state. If you’re serving in Colorado under state orders, then Colorado’s rules are the ones you need to follow.
And if you’re thinking, “Well, I’m on state duty, but I didn’t know I could be court-martialed by the state?” this is exactly why service members need to stay informed. Legal rules can shift fast, and what you thought only applied to the federal side might now apply at the state level too.
At The Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC, we represent service members across the country in both federal and military legal matters. While we’re not based in Colorado, we’re committed to helping military members stay up to date on new laws and policies like SB25-279 that could seriously impact your rights and career.
If you’re serving in Colorado and you’re unsure how this could affect you or if you’re facing legal concerns already it’s a good idea to speak with a military defense attorney who understands both the federal and state systems.
While it is important to follow the military rules and regional laws, it is also important to understand how the laws apply differently in regional justice and military systems. SB-279 is one example of how the state is looking to update their states military judicial systems as it applies to service members in their state.
About Us:
The Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC is a Washington, DC-based law firm that practices military and federal law nationwide. We provide legal defense and representation to service members in courts-martial, administrative hearings, and federal litigation. Our mission is to defend the rights of those who serve, wherever they serve.
Contact Us: www.militarydefense.com | (202) 546-9575
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not form an attorney-client relationship.