Ed Sealover, Editor, The Sum & Substance
June 19, 2024
In a landmark move recognizing the pervasive influence of technology in our daily lives, Colorado’s legislature has enacted a slew of new regulations aimed at modernizing oversight across innovative sectors. On Tuesday, Gov. Jared Polis signed the last batch of these 2024 technology bills, marking a significant step towards enhancing transparency and protecting privacy.
Expanding Transparency and Privacy Protections
One of the key measures signed into law is House Bill 1130, a notable expansion of the Colorado Privacy Act. This bill mandates that companies collecting biometric data—such as fingerprints and retinal scans—must share this information with consumers and destroy it within 24 months. While business groups initially voiced concerns over potential restrictions on employers, an amendment now allows essential data collection for job performance purposes.
Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, a co-sponsor of HB 1130, emphasized the importance of safeguarding residents’ privacy without stifling innovation. “When we use this data, it provides benefits to our lives—tracking our physical activity, monitoring vitals—making it crucial to protect it,” Lundeen said during a March Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.
Addressing Youth and Social Media
Legislators also tackled the rising concerns around youth and social media. House Bill 1136 introduces mandatory popup warnings for minors on social-media platforms and requires the state to create a resource bank on the impacts of social media on youth. While Polis acknowledged the focus on youth mental health, he expressed reservations about potentially stifling innovation with heavy-handed approaches.
Conversely, Senate Bill 158, which proposed stringent age-verification and protective measures on social media platforms, was ultimately shelved. Critics argued that some provisions could be unconstitutional, leading sponsors to withdraw the bill despite its initial Senate approval.
Groundbreaking AI Regulation
In what is perhaps the most consequential bill of the session, Senate Bill 205 sets a national precedent by regulating the development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. This law aims to prevent high-risk AI from making discriminatory decisions in areas like job applications and healthcare. Despite adjustments to exclude general-purpose AI like ChatGPT, tech leaders remain wary of potential adverse effects on innovation.
Gov. Polis signed SB 205 “with reservations,” urging federal intervention to prevent a patchwork of state regulations. This sentiment underscores the ongoing debate over balancing innovation with consumer protection—a theme likely to persist in future legislative sessions.
Broadband Expansion and Right to Repair
Other significant legislative actions include House Bill 1121, expanding the right-to-repair laws to cover digital electronics. This allows consumers to fix their devices or take them to independent repair shops, a move hailed by advocates for increasing consumer choice despite manufacturers’ quality control concerns.
In the realm of broadband deployment, legislators opted to retain new fees on companies laying equipment in public rights of way, aiming for comprehensive state coverage. However, a proposal to mandate prevailing wages for broadband contractors was rejected, reflecting cost and timing concerns.
Supporting Gig Workers
Finally, Colorado has introduced first-in-the-nation requirements for companies like Lyft, Uber, and DoorDash through Senate Bill 75 and House Bill 1129. These laws demand greater transparency aSet featured imagebout fare distribution between drivers and companies, and provide drivers with more control over job acceptance without fear of repercussions. Sen. Kevin Priola, a co-sponsor, highlighted the bills’ role in ensuring gig workers receive essential work details they deserve.
As Colorado steps into this new regulatory landscape, the state aims to strike a delicate balance between fostering innovation and protecting its residents’ rights, setting a precedent for the nation.