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Policymakers, particularly at the state level, are increasingly focused on passing laws aimed at protecting consumers’ private data. Vast amounts of consumer data collected from online activity, along with the ability of firms and others to use or sell data for commercial gain, may threaten consumer privacy. Protections afforded to Colorado consumers are part of an evolving web of state and federal data privacy law.

This issue brief provides information about how to register a number on the Colorado and federal no‑call lists; an overview of Colorado's regulation and enforcement of telemarketers; an explanation of which calls are not subject to telemarketing laws; and a summary of federal provisions regarding telemarketing.

This issue brief provides an overview of consumer data privacy, describes applicable federal laws, and summarizes recent state legislation proposed to strengthen consumer data privacy laws.

This issue brief provides an overview of critical infrastructure, discusses a 2019 cyberattack on the U.S. electrical grid, and summarizes state and federal legislation addressing security for critical infrastructure.

This issue brief discusses the history of blockchain technology, its current and future applications, and recently proposed Colorado legislation related to this technology.

Rising use and acceptance of virtual currencies and the technology that underpins them are increasingly presenting unique issues for state lawmakers and regulators.  This issue brief describes virtual currencies such as bitcoin, discusses blockchain technology, and describes recent state legislation on these topics

Data breaches are becoming increasingly common and bring uncertainty for private citizens. According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. Data breaches impose significant costs on both individuals whose personal identifying information may be maliciously used and businesses that have been targeted. This issue brief describes state law and the steps individuals can take to protect their personal identifying information.

Telecommunications regulation has been an active issue in the Colorado state legislature for several years. In 2014, five bills passed that changed telecommunications regulation, subsidies, and infrastructure in Colorado. These bills deregulate a number of telecommunications products, specify the manner in which basic telephone service will be deregulated subject to limited regulatory oversight, and provide a framework for the expansion of broadband service in the state. This issue brief provides a background on telecommunications issues and an overview of the recent legislation.