The AI Sunshine Act: What’s at Stake in Colorado’s Special Session
- Betty Garcia
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Last year, Colorado took a historic step by passing SB24-205, the first law in the nation of its kind to put guardrails on artificial intelligence. It wasn’t perfect, and it didn’t go far enough, but it was a start. Now, those protections are at risk, and the answer is clear: Colorado needs the AI Sunshine Act.
Governor Jared Polis has called a special session where SB24-205 could be repealed and replaced. Supporters say this is about “improving the law.” The reality is that corporate lobbyists want weaker rules, delays, and fewer protections for everyday Coloradans. The AI Sunshine Act provides transparency, public reporting, and enforceable safeguards — exactly what is needed to prevent discrimination and abuse.
This isn’t some distant concern. AI is already deciding who gets a job, who can rent an apartment, who qualifies for a loan, and who ends up flagged by law enforcement. Studies show these systems reproduce and amplify bias. Tenant screening tools disproportionately deny housing to people with Latino and Black surnames (Source). Hiring algorithms routinely reject qualified candidates because the models reflect bias against women and people of color (Source)
It is these same models that also give ICE and other federal agencies more power than they should have. Facial recognition, license plate tracking, and predictive algorithms are used to monitor immigrant communities and target people for detention. These systems are not neutral; they turn biased data into biased outcomes, which hurts families and communities. The AI Sunshine Act addresses all of these concerns. It brings transparency, so the public can see how these systems make decisions, it requires accountability from companies and government agencies, and it enforces protections against discrimination in hiring, housing, lending, and other critical areas.
What the AI Sunshine Act Does
Strengthens existing protections instead of rolling them back
Keeps implementation on track without unnecessary delays
Increases accountability and transparency for companies and agencies
Provides enforceable safeguards against discrimination in jobs, housing, lending, and more
What can we as consumer rights advocates do?
Support the AI Sunshine Act.
Reject rollbacks of protections.
Reject delays in implementation.
Coloradans deserve nothing less.
Join CCLP, Towards Justice, and ACLU of Colorado at the Capitol West Steps at 11am for a press conference. Learn more about how to strengthen Coloradan's protections against Al & hold Big Tech accountable.
