Colorado’s Free Speech and Gun Rights Battle: Public Outrage Kills the Veto Override of SB25-086

What began as a seemingly unstoppable push to mandate government-controlled monitoring of online speech—threatening to silence lawful gun owners—quickly escalated into a rare and high-stakes legislative showdown. In a dramatic attempt to overturn a well-justified veto, lawmakers from both parties pushed back against Governor Polis’ decision. But thanks to swift and vocal public opposition, Colorado has avoided its first successful veto override in over 14 years, and the Governor’s veto of SB25-086 will stand.

Senate Bill 25-086 was pitched as a “child protection” measure, but behind the messaging was a dangerous reality: the bill would have forced social media companies to strictly monitor lawful gun-related speech, investigate users, and turn them over to law enforcement. The bill even mandated deplatforming (permanently banning users without due process) based merely on accusations. Firearms were explicitly listed alongside fentanyl and sex trafficking in the bill’s “subject uses,” making it crystal clear that lawful gun owners were a direct target.

Even the ACLU opposed SB25-086, arguing that the bill gave social media companies too much power to enforce state laws, potentially leading to censorship and restrictions on free speech.

Despite those warnings, the bill passed the Colorado Senate by a 29-6 margin and the House by a 46-18 margin. It landed on Governor Polis’ desk, where many expected it to quietly become law. But Polis, citing serious constitutional concerns, vetoed the bill, arguing it would “erode privacy, freedom and innovation,” and turn social media platforms into judge, jury, and executioner without due process.

The legislature’s response? Try to override the veto, something that hasn’t happened in Colorado for a non-budget bill in decades.

On April 25, 2025, the Colorado Senate voted to override the Governor’s veto with a 29-6 vote. The override needed two-thirds of each chamber to succeed. Only six senators voted no, among them, Senator Mark Baisley was the only Republican standing with gun owners and free speech supporters.

The House chamber looked ready to follow suit with bi-partisan support. Votes were lined up behind closed doors. Leadership had the override on the calendar. Victory seemed inevitable.

But then, the public found out.

As the override moved toward a final vote, gun rights organizations, free speech advocates, and many ordinary citizens began to shed light on what this bill was really about and how dangerous the unintended consequences were. Outraged Coloradans overwhelmed House Repubulican with calls, emails, and pressure campaigns, demanding their representatives protect both the First and Second Amendments and vote NO on the veto override. In this case, because 2/3 of the chamber was required to override the veto, Republicans had the power to stop this but nevertheless, many supported the bill originally and many were supporting the veto override.

The bill sponsors and lobbying groups in support of the bill became so desperate to override the governor’s veto, right-leaning political committee Ready Colorado launched a massive text message campaign, using District Attorneys to urge their networks to “support the override.” But the messages were deceptive – they conveniently left out that SB25-086 targeted firearms, not just fentanyl and sex trafficking. Coloradans weren’t fooled. They realized this was an assault on lawful speech and they fought back.

Public pressure peeled away Republican support almost overnight.

Facing a clear collapse of support, House leaders pulled the plug. Instead of facing a public defeat, they moved to delay the override vote until May 9, 2025, two days after the legislative session ends. Procedurally, that means the override is dead and Governor Polis’ veto will stand – the unlikely duo of gun rights groups and the ACLU fight bumping the small win.

Colorado hasn’t seen a serious veto override effort succeed since 2011, and even then, it was over budget items, not major policy fights like this. The fact that SB25-086 nearly succeeded shows just how willing many lawmakers were to sacrifice gun owners’ rights and basic free speech protections in the name of “safety.”

It also exposed deep divisions. According to capitol insiders, the Democratic leadership was furious behind the scenes, blaming each other for mishandling the override attempt. House Majority Leader Monica Duran (D) admitted that House support for the override “was soft at best,” even before the public outcry. House Minority Leader Rose Puglesie (R) eventually released a statement indicating even her support for the bill had eroded by the time they would have voted. Several other House Republicans began publicly condemning the bill, in direct opposition of pressure from Republican DAs who were in support. Senator Lindsey Daugherty (D), one of the bill’s sponsors, publicly blamed House leadership for not pushing harder.

Meanwhile, Governor Polis quietly thanked the House for “their efforts,” clearly relieved to avoid what would have been the first public veto override of his governorship.

Supporters of SB25-086 have already vowed to bring the bill back. Lead sponsor Rep. Andy Boesenecker (D) promised it would return in some form, meaning gun owners and free speech advocates must stay vigilant.

Make no mistake: this was a direct attack on gun culture, free speech, and due process.

If SB25-086 had become law, simply talking about building firearms, sharing information, or promoting lawful gun ownership online could have triggered a suspension, a ban, and a police investigation—even without evidence of any crime.

Thanks to the courage, speed, and determination of everyday Coloradans, that dystopian future was put on hold.

But the battle for our rights isn’t over. It’s just beginning.