C.R.S. § 12-110-101 Short title
12-110-101. Short title. The short title of this article 110 is the "Colorado Professional Boxing Safety Act".
Combative Sports
C.R.S. tit. 12, art. 110
in effectC.R.S. § 12-110-102 Legislative declaration
12-110-102. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that the federal "Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996", 15 U.S.C. sec. 6301 et seq., as amended, requires the state of Colorado to establish a state boxing commission. Because there is no state boxing commission, any professional boxing match held in Colorado has to be supervised by another state's boxing commission, using safety guidelines and procedures implemented by that state.
(2) The general assembly further finds and declares that it is in the best interests of the residents of Colorado, professional boxing participants, and the future of the sport of boxing in Colorado that the conduct of the sport be subject to an effective and efficient system of strict control designed by the general assembly. The system shall, at a minimum:
(a) Protect the safety of the participants; and
(b) Promote the public trust and confidence in the conduct of professional boxing.
(3) To further public confidence and trust, this article 110 and rules promulgated pursuant to this article 110 shall regulate all persons, practices, and associations that relate to the operation of live professional boxing events, performances, or contests held in Colorado.
C.R.S. § 12-110-103 Applicability of common provisions
12-110-103. Applicability of common provisions. Articles 1 and 20 of this title 12 apply, according to their terms, to this article 110.
C.R.S. § 12-110-104 Definitions
12-110-104. Definitions. As used in this article 110, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Boxer" means an individual who participates in a boxing match.
(2) "Boxing" means fighting, striking, forcing an opponent to submit, or disabling an opponent, including the disciplines of kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and martial arts.
(3) "Commission" means the Colorado combative sports commission created in section 12-110-106.
(4) "Contest" means a match in which the participants strive earnestly to win.
(5) "Exhibition" means a match in which participants display their boxing skills and techniques without striving earnestly to win.
(6) "Kickboxing" means engaging in martial arts fighting techniques using the hands and feet, the object of which is to win by a decision, knockout, or technical knockout.
(7) "Martial arts" means any of several arts of combat or self-defense that are widely practiced as sport.
(8) "Match" means a professional boxing contest or exhibition, the object of which is to win by a decision, knockout, or technical knockout, and includes an event, engagement, sparring or practice session, show, or program where the public is admitted and there is intended to be physical contact. "Match" does not include a training or practice session when no admission is charged.
(9) "Mixed martial arts" means the combined techniques of boxing and martial arts disciplines such as grappling, kicking, and striking, including the use of full, unrestrained physical force.
(10) "Office" means the office of combative sports created in section 12-110-105.
(11) "Office director" means the director of the office.
(12) "Participant" means a person who engages in a match as a boxing contestant.
(13) "Physician" means an individual licensed to practice medicine pursuant to article 240 of this title 12.
(14) "Place of training" means a facility where alcohol beverages are not permitted, an admission fee is not charged for nonstudents, instructors of particular disciplines train students in the art of boxing, and students pay a fee to be enrolled in classes and receive instruction.
(15) "Professional" means a participant who has received or competed for a purse or any other thing of value for participating in a match.
(16) (a) "Toughperson fighting" means:
(I) A physical contest, match, tournament, exhibition, or bout, or any activity that involves physical contact between two or more individuals engaging in combative skills using the hands, feet, or body, whether or not prizes or purses are awarded at the event or promised in future events or spectator admission fees are charged or received; and
(II) A contest, match, tournament, exhibition, bout, or activity, as described in subsection (16)(a)(I) of this section, that is not recognized by and not sanctioned by any state, regional, or national boxing sanctioning authority that is recognized by the director.
(b) "Toughperson fighting" does not mean:
(I) Activities occurring under a martial arts instructor at a place of training or other types of instructor-student or student-student contact occurring under the supervision of an instructor at a place of training; or
(II) A sanctioned boxing event approved by the commission.
C.R.S. § 12-110-105 Office of combative sports - creation
12-110-105. Office of combative sports - creation. There is created in the division the office of combative sports. The office of combative sports and the Colorado combative sports commission, created in section 12-110-106, are type 2 entities, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercise their respective powers and perform their respective duties and functions as specified in this article 110 under the department.
C.R.S. § 12-110-106 Colorado combative sports commission - creation
12-110-106. Colorado combative sports commission - creation. (1) There is hereby created, within the office of combative sports, the Colorado combative sports commission. The commission shall regulate matches in Colorado.
(2) (a) The commission consists of five voting members and two nonvoting advisory members. All members must be residents of Colorado, be of good character, and not have been convicted of any felony or match-related offense, notwithstanding section 24-5-101, and be appointed as follows:
(I) The governor shall appoint three voting members.
(II) The president of the senate shall appoint one voting member.
(III) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint one voting member.
(IV) (A) Two nonvoting advisory members who are licensed physicians shall be appointed, one by the speaker of the house of representatives and one by the president of the senate.
(B) The two nonvoting advisory members shall advise the commission on matters concerning the health and physical condition of boxers and health issues relating to the conduct of matches. The nonvoting members may prepare and submit to the commission for its consideration and approval any rules that in their judgment will safeguard the physical welfare of the participants engaged in boxing.
(b) Members' terms are four years.
(c) The commission shall designate by majority vote which member is to serve as chair. Any member may be removed from office by the person making the appointment for misfeasance, malfeasance, willful neglect of duty, or other cause.
(d) Members shall serve until their successors are appointed and have been qualified. Any vacancy in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. A vacancy in the membership of the commission other than by expiration of term shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term only.
(3) Meetings of the commission shall be held at least annually and shall be called by the chair or by any two members of the commission and shall be open to the public. Any three voting members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting. Action may be taken and motions and resolutions may be adopted at any meeting at which a quorum exists by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting members present. Members may participate in a regular or special meeting by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, any means of communication by which all members participating may simultaneously hear one another at all times during the meeting. A member participating in a meeting by this means is deemed to be present in person at the meeting.
C.R.S. § 12-110-107 General powers and duties of the commission - rules
12-110-107. General powers and duties of the commission - rules. (1) In addition to any other powers specifically granted to the commission in this article 110, the commission shall issue rules as necessary for the regulation of the conduct, promotion, and performance of live boxing matches in this state. The rules must be consistent with this article 110, the federal "Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996", 15 U.S.C. sec. 6301 et seq., as amended, and any other applicable federal law. The commission's rules must include:
(a) Requirements for issuance of licenses and permits for boxers, seconds, inspectors, promoters, judges, and referees;
(b) Regulation of ticket sales;
(c) Physical requirements for participants, including classification by weight and skill;
(d) Provisions for supervision of contests and exhibitions by referees and licensed physicians;
(e) Requirements for insurance covering participants and bonding of promoters;
(f) Guidelines for compensation of licensees;
(g) Guidelines for contracts and financial arrangements between promoters and participants;
(h) Prohibition of dishonest, unethical, and injurious practices;
(i) Guidelines for reports of fraud;
(j) Responsibilities of participants;
(k) Regulation of facilities; and
(l) Procedures to:
(I) Allow the director to deny or suspend a participant license for a nondisciplinary reason, such as a medical or administrative reason, including the following reasons listed in the federal "Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996", as amended:
(A) A recent knockout or series of consecutive losses;
(B) An injury;
(C) A required medical procedure; or
(D) A physician's denial of certification;
(II) Authorize the director to lift a license denial or suspension imposed for a nondisciplinary reason if the participant or a representative of the participant sufficiently demonstrates:
(A) That the participant's medical or physical condition has improved to a degree that the nondisciplinary license denial or suspension is no longer warranted; or
(B) That the nondisciplinary license denial or suspension was never warranted; and
(III) Allow the director to report a nondisciplinary participant license suspension to a national record keeper approved by the director.
(2) No member shall receive compensation for serving on the commission; however, a member may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of services.
C.R.S. § 12-110-108 License required
12-110-108. License required. No person shall participate, officiate, judge, referee, promote, or second a professional boxing arts contest unless the person is licensed pursuant to this article 110.
C.R.S. § 12-110-109 Renewal and reinstatement of licenses - fees
12-110-109. Renewal and reinstatement of licenses - fees. All licenses issued pursuant to this article 110 are subject to the renewal, expiration, reinstatement, and delinquency fee provisions specified in section 12-20-202 (1) and (2). Any person whose license has expired shall be subject to the penalties provided in this article 110 or section 12-20-202 (1).
C.R.S. § 12-110-110 Office director - appointment - qualification - powers and duties - director of division's powers and duties
12-110-110. Office director - appointment - qualification - powers and duties - director of division's powers and duties. (1) The office director is appointed by, and serves under the supervision of, the director of the division.
(2) The office director must:
(a) Be of good character and not have been convicted of any felony or match-related offense, notwithstanding section 24-5-101; and
(b) Not be engaged in any other profession or occupation that could present a conflict of interest with the duties of office director.
(3) (a) In addition to the duties imposed upon the office director elsewhere in this article 110, the office director shall, in accordance with this article 110 and the rules of the commission:
(I) Direct and supervise the administrative and technical activities of the commission;
(II) Supervise and administer the operation of matches; and
(III) As deemed necessary by the director of the division, advise and make recommendations to the director of the division with regard to the director of the division's functions.
(b) In addition to the duties imposed upon the director of the division elsewhere in this article 110, the director of the division shall:
(I) Attend meetings of the commission or appoint a designee to attend in the director of the division's place;
(II) Advise and recommend to the commission rules and other procedures as the director of the division deems necessary and advisable to improve the conduct of boxing;
(III) Furnish any documents of the commission that may be required by the state auditor in the performance of audits performed in conformance with part 1 of article 3 of title 2; and
(IV) Enforce this article 110 and investigate allegations of activity that might violate this article 110.
C.R.S. § 12-110-111 Grounds for discipline
12-110-111. Grounds for discipline. (1) The director may take disciplinary or other action as authorized in section 12-20-404 against a license or an application for a license if the applicant or licensee:
(a) Violates any order of the commission or the director, any provision of this article 110, an applicable provision of article 20 of this title 12, or the rules established under this article 110;
(b) Fails to meet the requirements of this article 110 or the rules of the commission;
(c) Is convicted of or has entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to a felony; except that the director shall be governed by the provisions of section 24-5-101 in considering the conviction or plea;
(d) Has a substance use disorder, as defined in section 27-81-102, or is an excessive or a habitual user or abuser of alcohol or habit-forming drugs or is a habitual user of a controlled substance, as defined in section 18-18-102 (5), if the use, disorder, or dependency is a danger to other licensees;
(e) Has incurred disciplinary action related to professional boxing in another jurisdiction. Evidence of disciplinary action is prima facie evidence for denial of a license or other disciplinary action if the violation would be grounds for disciplinary action in this state.
(f) Provides false information in any application or attempts to obtain a license by fraud, deception, misrepresentation, or concealment;
(g) Is guilty of conduct, or is incompetent or negligent in a manner, that:
(I) Is detrimental to a contest or exhibition of boxing, including unsportsmanlike conduct engaged in before, during, or after a contest or exhibition of boxing; or
(II) Results in injury, or creates an unreasonable risk of harm, to a person; or
(h) Fails to comply with a limitation, restriction, or condition that the director or any other state or national regulatory authority responsible for regulating boxing places on the licensee or applicant.
(2) (a) Any proceeding to deny, suspend, revoke, or place on probation a license shall be conducted pursuant to sections 12-20-403, 24-4-104, and 24-4-105.
(b) Upon completing an investigation in accordance with section 12-20-403, the director shall make one of the following findings:
(I) The complaint is without merit and no further action need be taken.
(II) There is no reasonable cause to warrant further action.
(III) The investigation discloses an instance of conduct that does not warrant formal action and should be dismissed, but the director notices indications of possible errant conduct that could lead to serious consequences if not corrected. If this finding is made, the director shall send a confidential letter of concern to the licensee in accordance with section 12-20-404 (5).
(IV) The investigation discloses an instance of conduct that does not warrant formal action but should not be dismissed as being without merit. If this finding is made, the director may send a letter of admonition to the licensee in accordance with section 12-20-404 (4) by certified mail.
(V) The investigation discloses facts that warrant further proceedings by formal complaint. If this finding is made, the director shall refer the complaint to the attorney general for preparation and filing of a formal complaint.
(c) The director shall conduct all proceedings pursuant to this subsection (2) expeditiously and informally so that no licensee is subjected to unfair and unjust charges and that no complainant is deprived of the right to a timely, fair, and proper investigation of a complaint.
(3) The director may issue cease-and-desist orders under the circumstances and in accordance with the procedures specified in section 12-20-405.
C.R.S. § 12-110-112 Toughperson fighting prohibited
12-110-112. Toughperson fighting prohibited. (1) Toughperson fighting is prohibited in the state of Colorado. No person or entity shall promote, advertise, conduct, or compete or participate in toughperson fighting. No license or permit shall be issued for toughperson fighting or for any contests or exhibitions of a similar nature.
(2) Any violation of this section is a class 2 misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in section 18-1.3-501.
C.R.S. § 12-110-113 Immunity
12-110-113. Immunity. In addition to the persons specified in section 12-20-402, the office director, the office director's staff, any person acting as a witness or consultant to the office director, any witness testifying in a proceeding authorized under this article 110, and any person who lodges a complaint pursuant to this article 110 is granted the same immunity, and is subject to the same conditions for immunity, as specified in section 12-20-402.
C.R.S. § 12-110-114 Fees
12-110-114. Fees. The director shall establish and collect nonrefundable license fees and may establish and collect surcharges and other money as the director deems necessary; except that the fees and surcharges shall not exceed the amount necessary to implement this article 110.
C.R.S. § 12-110-115 Violations
12-110-115. Violations. (1) Fines. The director may issue an order against any person who willfully violates this article 110, after providing prior notice and an opportunity for a hearing pursuant to section 24-4-105. The director may impose a fine in an amount up to five thousand dollars for a single violation or twenty-five thousand dollars for multiple violations in a proceeding or a series of related proceedings.
(2) Criminal penalties. Any person who engages in or offers or attempts to engage in the conduct, promotion, or performance of live boxing matches without an active license or permit issued under this article 110 is subject to penalties pursuant to section 12-20-407 (1)(a).
(3) Injunction. Whenever it appears to the director that a person has engaged or is about to engage in an act or practice that violates this article 110 or a rule or order issued under this article 110, the director may bring an action to enjoin the acts or practices and to enforce compliance with this article 110 or any rule or order.
(4) Enforcement. The commission and director may assist local law enforcement agencies in their investigations of violations of this article 110 and may initiate and carry out such investigations in coordination with local law enforcement agencies.
(5) Judicial review. Section 12-20-408 governs final director actions and orders appropriate for judicial review.
C.R.S. § 12-110-116 Repeal of article - subject to review
12-110-116. Repeal of article - subject to review. This article 110 is repealed, effective September 1, 2026. Before the repeal, the office and the commission are scheduled for review in accordance with section 24-34-104.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-12.docxFetched: 10/6/2026