CO Candidate Deepfake Disclosure Law
Candidate Election Deepfake Disclosures
Colorado · Colo. Rev. Stat. Secs. 1-45-111.5, 1-45-111.7, 1-46-101 to -106 (HB 24-1147, 2024 Colo. Sess. Laws ch. 250)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- July 1, 2024
- Applies to
- Any person who distributes, publishes, broadcasts, or displays election communications concerning a candidate that contain a deepfake.
- Enforced by
- Colorado Secretary of State (administrative complaints); courts via private actions
Colorado restricts distributing AI-generated deepfakes that falsely depict a candidate for elective office within set windows before a primary or general election, when the distributor knows or recklessly disregards that the depiction is false. A communication is shielded from liability if it carries a clear and conspicuous disclaimer stating the media has been edited and falsely depicts speech or conduct. Complaints can be filed with the Secretary of State, and affected candidates have a private right of action.
Who is protected: Candidates and elected officials depicted in deepfakes, and the electorate receiving election communications.
Legal detail
Colo. Rev. Stat. 1-45-111.5 to -111.7 and the new Title 1, Article 46 (1-46-101 to -106), enacted by HB24-1147, prohibit distributing undisclosed deepfakes in candidate-related election communications and provide a disclosure safe harbor.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Colorado |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | May 24, 2024 |
| Citation | Colo. Rev. Stat. Secs. 1-45-111.5, 1-45-111.7, 1-46-101 to -106 (HB 24-1147, 2024 Colo. Sess. Laws ch. 250) |
| Private right of action | Yes, individuals can sue |
| Penalties | A hearing officer imposes a civil penalty of at least $100 per violation where no paid advertising is involved, or at least 10% of the amount paid or spent to advertise the communication where paid promotion is involved. Affected candidates may also sue for injunctive relief and damages. |
| Topics | deepfakes · election deepfakes |
| Bill text | House Bill 24-1147 (signed) - Candidate Election Deepfake Disclosures |
More AI rules in Colorado
- CO SB 17-213 (AV statute) · In effect
- CO Insurance Algorithmic Discrimination Law · In effect
- Colorado Privacy Act (CPA) · In effect
- CO Intimate Digital Depictions Act (SB25-288) · In effect
- Colorado AI Act (repealed) · Repealed / replaced
- SB 26-189 (Colorado ADMT Law) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
Related deepfakes rules elsewhere
- Arkansas Frank Broyles Act AI amendment — voice and likeness protection (2025) · In effect
- Doe v. X.AI (Grok NCII deepfakes class action) · Blocked / in litigation
- xAI v. Harwood (Grok NCII Counter-Suit 2026) · Blocked / in litigation
- Arizona HB 2133 deepfake sexual content — vetoed 2026 · Vetoed
- Arizona HB 2678 — AI-generated CSAM criminalized · In effect
- MN HF 1606 AI Nudification Ban (2026) · In effect
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