SB 25-157
Fiscal Note
Legislative Council Staff
Nonpartisan Services for Colorado’s Legislature
SB 25-157: DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT STANDARD
Prime Sponsors:
Sen. Weissman; Gonzales J.
Rep. Mabrey; Titone
Published for: Senate Business, Labor, & Tech.
Drafting number: LLS 25-0554
Fiscal Analyst:
Matt Bishop, 303-866-4796
matt.bishop@coleg.gov
Version: Initial Fiscal Note
Date: February 11, 2025
Fiscal note status: The fiscal note reflects the introduced bill.
Summary Information
Overview. The bill clarifies standards for enforcing unfair or deceptive trade practices.
Types of impacts. The bill is projected to affect the following areas on an ongoing basis:
Minimal State Revenue
Minimal State Workload
Local Government
Appropriations. No appropriation is required.
Table 1
State Fiscal Impacts
Type of Impact
Budget Year
FY 2025-26
Out Year
FY 2026-27
State Revenue $0 $0
State Expenditures $0 $0
Transferred Funds $0 $0
Change in TABOR Refunds $0 $0
Change in State FTE 0.0 FTE 0.0 FTE
Page 2
February 11, 2025 SB 25-157
Summary of Legislation
Under current law, deceptive trade practices must significantly affect the public in order to be
violations of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act. The bill establishes standards for what
kinds of activity constitute a significant impact and what does not.
Background
Under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act, a person committing a deceptive trade practice
may be subject to a civil penalty of up to $20,000 for each violation. Additional penalties may be
imposed for subsequent violations of a court order or injunction. This revenue is classified as a
damage award and not subject to TABOR. Cases are filed in trial courts, resulting in filing fees.
Revenue from filing fees is subject to TABOR. Workload associated with deceptive trade
practices is handled by the Department of Law.
State Revenue and Expenditures
The bill has a minimal, indeterminate effect on state revenue and expenditures. Clarifying the
evidence required to establish that a deceptive trade practice has occurred may result in some
additional cases being filed, whereas other cases that would have been filed under current law
may no longer occur. The overall impact on the Department of Law and the Judicial Department
is expected to be minimal and no change in appropriations is required.
Local Government
Similar to the state, to the extent district attorneys receive a different number of deceptive trade
practice complaints, workload will increase or decrease. It is assumed most such cases will be
handled at the state level by the Department of Law.
Effective Date
The bill takes effect upon signature of the Governor, or upon becoming law without his
signature.
State and Local Government Contacts
Judicial Law
The revenue and expenditure impacts in this fiscal note represent changes from current law under the bill for each
fiscal year. For additional information about fiscal notes, please visit the General Assembly website.