Data Privacy · Colorado
Colorado Privacy Act
SB 21-190 - enacted in Colorado.
- Enacted
- Status
- 2021
- Enacted
- 21
- States with data privacy laws
- 76/100
- Colorado strictness
The bottom line
Colorado Privacy Act is an enacted law in Colorado, part of a mature, broadly-adopted data privacy landscape.
- Enacted
- effective 2023-07-01
- 21
- states have data privacy laws
- 21/21
- data privacy laws enacted nationally
- 76/100
- Colorado strictness score
Data compiled 2026-03-18 from the official Colorado legislative record linked below; laws can be amended or repealed after this date.
Regulatory Snapshot: Colorado Privacy Act
Colorado Privacy Act (SB 21-190) is an enacted law in Colorado under the Data Privacy category. It was enacted on 2021-07-07 and becomes effective on 2023-07-01. Colorado currently reports 8 tracked regulations with 8 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 76/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch compiled this entry's data on 2026-03-18; consult the linked official source for the current, authoritative text.
Nationally, 21 data privacy statutes have been enacted and 0 additional bills remain pending - 21 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places Colorado within a mature and broadly adopted data privacy landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in SB 21-190 itself.
Applicability under Colorado Privacy Act: 100K+ consumers data, or 25K+ with data sale revenue. Penalty exposure is documented as: Up to $20,000/violation. AG enforcement only. Notable exemptions: State agencies, HIPAA, GLBA, nonprofits, higher ed, air carriers..
Summary
Comprehensive privacy law with universal opt-out mechanism requirement via browser/device settings.
Key Requirements
Consumer rights: access, correction, deletion, portability, opt-out. Must honor universal opt-out (GPC). Data protection assessments.
Penalties
Up to $20,000/violation. AG enforcement only.
Applicability
100K+ consumers data, or 25K+ with data sale revenue.
Exemptions
State agencies, HIPAA, GLBA, nonprofits, higher ed, air carriers.
Official Source
https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb21-190How Colorado compares on data privacy
21 states regulate data privacy - Colorado ranks #2 by overall regulatory strictness. Bar = state strictness score (0–100).
| # | State | Strictness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 100 |
| 2 | Colorado (this state) | 76 |
| 3 | Texas | 69 |
| 4 | Connecticut | 62 |
| 5 | Minnesota | 62 |
| 6 | Oregon | 62 |
| 7 | Delaware | 59 |
| 8 | Virginia | 59 |
| 9 | Utah | 55 |
| 10 | Florida | 48 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have data privacy regulations?
As of the last verification, 21 states have enacted data privacy regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. Colorado is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all data privacy regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was Colorado Privacy Act enacted?
Colorado Privacy Act was enacted on 2021-07-07 and became effective on 2023-07-01. It was introduced as SB 21-190.
What are the penalties for violating Colorado Privacy Act?
Up to $20,000/violation. AG enforcement only. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does Colorado Privacy Act apply to small businesses?
100K+ consumers data, or 25K+ with data sale revenue. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does Colorado compare to other states on data privacy?
Colorado has a regulatory strictness score of 76/100, based on 8 enacted regulations out of 8 tracked. Nationally, 21 states have enacted data privacy laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of Colorado Privacy Act?
The official text of Colorado Privacy Act (SB 21-190) is available from the Colorado legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
Regulation Guides
Plain-language guides to help you understand the broader regulatory landscape.
Explore Regulations
Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since this data was compiled (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
More Colorado Regulations
The bottom line
This law is already in force - here's what matters for data privacy compliance.
- Colorado Privacy Act is enacted in Colorado, effective 2023-07-01. Official source
- 21 states now regulate data privacy; Colorado ranks #2 by strictness - compare requirements before you operate across state lines. Compare states
- See every regulation Colorado tracks across all five policy areas. Colorado profile
Summaries are general information, not legal advice; always confirm against the official statute and qualified counsel.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Verify with the official Colorado source →
Every figure on PlainRegWatch is rendered directly from state source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal and state source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.