Understanding HB 21-1110: Colorado’s Law on Web Accessibility

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Understanding HB 21-1110: Colorado’s Law on Web Accessibility

Posted October 07, 2024

AudioEye

Posted October 07, 2024

Colorado state flag next to the accessibility symbol; a gavel preparing to lower is next to the flag.
Colorado state flag next to the accessibility symbol; a gavel preparing to lower is next to the flag.

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Passed earlier this year, Colorado’s latest law on web accessibility requires Colorado government entities to ensure their website and digital content are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

True to its reputation of prioritizing progressive and inclusive policies, the State of Colorado was one of the first states in the U.S. to codify website accessibility into law. 

Passed on July 1, 2024, House Bill (HB) 21-1110 requires local government entities to comply with accessibility standards set by Colorado’s Office of Information Technology (OIT). The bill also established a deadline of July 1, 2024 to meet accessibility standards. 

Below, we’ll break down the specific requirements of HB 21-1110 as well as deadlines for compliance.

What is HB 21-1110?

Signed by Colorado Governor Jared Polis, HB 21-1110, titled Accessibility for People with Disabilities in State and Local Government) focuses on improving accessibility for people with disabilities in relation to state and local government services — particularly online services. 

More simply, the act requires Colorado government entities to ensure their digital offerings are accessible to individuals with disabilities. 

According to the bill, Colorado municipality websites must adhere to the accessibility standards outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. Adhering to these standards removes accessibility barriers that prevent people with disabilities from easily accessing, using, or navigating online content. 


For a more in-depth look at which accessibility guidelines are included in WCAG 2.1, check out our WCAG checklist.

What is the Deadline for Compliance?

As mentioned above, the bill set a deadline for all existing websites to comply with WCAG standards by July 1, 2024. However, the passing of HB 24-1454 did extend the deadline for compliance to July 1, 2025 for state and local governments that can demonstrate “good faith efforts” towards compliance. 

To qualify for an extension, municipalities must:

  • Create a progress report that demonstrates concrete, specific efforts toward compliance on their website. The report must be updated quarterly.
  • Establish a clear, accessible process for website visitors to submit any accessibility issues they encounter to an agency’s website or digital channels. These details must be prominently displayed on all public-facing web pages.

Who Does HB 21-1110 Apply to?

As mentioned above, HB 21-1110 applies to local government agencies in Colorado. More specifically, this includes:

  • State agencies: State agencies that manage administrative and public service functions, including education, human services, natural resources, public health and environment, and transportation.
  • Local government entities: This includes entities like city councils and departments, county governments, and town municipalities. 
  • Invisible content owners: Content owners behind various government departments must also ensure their digital content is accessible. This includes website architects, copywriters or storytellers, or IT departments.

What’s the Risk of Non-Compliance

Failing to comply with HB 21-1110 can result in a number of consequences — everything from monetary fees and penalties to disqualification from government contracts. Most non-compliance fines are several thousand dollars, depending on how many violations you’ve had in the past and the severity of the violation. In fact, people with disabilities can obtain up to $3.5K in statutory damages for every HB 21-1110 violation.


Additionally, failing to comply with HB 21-1110 may prompt advocacy groups or other government entities to take legal action against you. This can result in additional fines and negative publicity.

To avoid losing customers over bad publicity and paying expensive fines, it’s best practice to comply with all accessibility laws, including HB 21-1110 and the ADA.

Text box that reads "$3.5K: Under HB 21-1110, people with disabilities can obtain statutory damages of $3,500 per violation."

Invest in Accessibility and Inclusivity with AudioEye

HB 21-1110 aims to enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities. By ensuring all Colorado businesses adhere to the accessibility standards outlined in WCAG 2.1, individuals with disabilities can easily access and use online solutions or services with ease. In addition to providing a better experience for your users, enhancing accessibility expands your audience reach, boosts your SEO rankings, and creates a seamless experience for all your users. 

With AudioEye, creating an accessible and compliant website is easy. Our accessibility tools are designed to test against the latest accessibility standards and identify common accessibility errors. Using Automated Fixes, these issues are automatically resolved while our team of experts performs more in-depth testing to find and fix more complex accessibility issues. Because of our hybrid approach to accessibility testing, you’re able to significantly enhance accessibility across your entire site and get closer to HB 21-1110 compliance.


Want to learn more about how AudioEye can help you comply HB 21-1110 and other accessibility laws? Contact us to speak with one of our accessibility experts or schedule a demo to see our platform in action.

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