Denver, CO, August 12, 2026 —

Colorado has officially enacted Senate Bill 26-120, dubbed the Missing Person Training & Higher Education Reporting Act. This new legislation aims to bolster the state’s response to missing persons cases and enhance safety protocols for students at higher education institutions.

The law introduces two primary mandates. Firstly, it requires law enforcement agencies to undergo specific training focused on the issuance of missing person alerts. This is intended to ensure a consistent and effective approach when individuals go missing.

Secondly, the act places new responsibilities on Colorado’s higher education institutions. These universities and colleges must now implement a Preliminary Wellness Assessment for any student reported missing. According to the law, if this assessment reveals a credible risk to the student’s safety or if the student has been unaccounted for over six hours, law enforcement must be contacted immediately.

The impetus for SB26-120 came from the parents of Megan Trussell, a student at the University of Colorado who tragically disappeared and was later found deceased. Her parents advocated for the law, citing their experiences and frustrations with the initial handling of their daughter’s disappearance.

Several higher education institutions across Colorado have indicated that their existing policies are either already in compliance with the new law or are undergoing updates to meet its requirements. The specific details of how each institution will implement the Preliminary Wellness Assessment are expected to be clarified as the law takes effect.



Story summarized from the original created by Danielle Kreutter on www.denver7.com, see more information here.

About The Author
SignalNewsAI