Michael Dougherty Condemns Governor Polis’ Veto of HB26-1255

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Holly Shrewsbury

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Michael Dougherty Condemns Governor Polis’ Veto of HB26-1255, Stands with Evergreen Students, Teachers & Law Enforcement

BOULDER, COLO. — Thurs., May 28, 2026 — District Attorney and candidate for Colorado Attorney General Michael Dougherty released the following statement after Governor Jared Polis vetoed House Bill 26-1255:

“Governor Polis’ veto of HB26-1255 is deeply disappointing and a missed opportunity to help prevent future acts of violence.

This bill was created in response to the tragic shooting at Evergreen High School. Students, teachers, parents, survivors, law enforcement, and legislators came together with one goal: to save lives by helping law enforcement respond more quickly to credible threats posted on social media before violence occurs.

HB26-1255 was a commonsense public safety measure.

The bill focused on requiring social media platforms to report specific and imminent threats to local law enforcement when users violated platform policies in ways that raised credible safety concerns. It also reduced critical delays in the judicial warrant process, shortening response times from weeks to hours so law enforcement could intervene faster during emergencies.

Days matter. Hours matter. Lives depend on it.

As a prosecutor, I know firsthand that early intervention can prevent tragedy. This legislation would have provided law enforcement additional tools and time to interrupt violent acts before they happened and better protect our schools and communities. That’s why I team up with Sheriff Reggie Marinelli on it, when we spoke after the shooting at Evergreen High School.

What makes this veto especially painful is that this bill was driven by courageous young people and educators who turned unimaginable trauma into action to protect others. The Evergreen students and teachers who advocated for this legislation showed extraordinary leadership, strength, and determination.

They deserved better.

We cannot change the past. But we can build a safer future, and that requires listening to survivors, supporting law enforcement, holding social media companies responsible to the law, and taking practical steps to prevent violence before it happens.

I stand with the Evergreen community, the bipartisan coalition of lawmakers who supported this bill, and every student, parent, and educator demanding stronger protections for Colorado communities.”

Community members, students, educators, and supporters of HB26-1255 will gather Friday at a rally urging continued action to protect schools and communities from future violence.

Michael Dougherty has supported Senate Bill 25-86 and Senate Bill 26-11 for these same reasons.

About Michael Dougherty

Michael Dougherty currently serves as Boulder County District Attorney. A career prosecutor with nearly 30 years of experience, Dougherty has handled thousands of cases, including homicides, sexual assaults, and complex fraud. He previously served as Colorado’s Deputy Attorney General and led the Sex Crimes Unit at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office as Deputy Chief of the Sex Crimes Unit. Throughout his career, Dougherty has focused on protecting communities, standing up for victims, and ensuring justice is applied fairly. He is focused on public safety, defending constitutional rights, and delivering real results for Colorado families.

For more information, visit www.michaelforag.com. Follow him on social media:

Facebook: @MichaelDoughertyCO, Twitter/X: @MDoughertyCO, Instagram: @michaelforcolorado, and TikTok: @michaelforcolorado.

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