Here's What You Need to Know About Colorado Data Privacy Laws in 2025

The Colorado Privacy Act (CPA) is a state law that went into effect on July 1, 2023, giving Colorado residents more control over how their personal data is collected, shared, and used.

As the foundation of Colorado data privacy law statewide, it applies to businesses that operate in or target Longmont consumers, requiring clear disclosures and responsible data practices.

This article breaks down the CPA in simple terms to help both consumers and businesses understand what’s changed and what actions are required.

We’ll cover:

Consumer rights like access, deletion, and opt-out
Business obligations such as privacy notices and data protection
Who must comply and who is exempt
Local implications for Longmont businesses and consumers

Curious how this law affects you or your business? Let’s get into it.

Overview of the Colorado Privacy Act

The Colorado Privacy Act (CPA) applies to companies that collect or process data from Colorado consumers and introduces strict requirements around privacy notices, data protection, and consumer consent.

Businesses in Longmont and across the state must now follow clear rules based on how much data they handle—not how much money they make.

Key Dates and Milestones

July 2021 – CPA signed into law
July 2023 – Law took effect
July 2024 – Universal opt-out enforcement began
January 2025 – New rule updates in force

Who Is Covered Under the CPA?

Businesses must comply if they:

Process data from 100,000+ consumers annually
Or process 25,000+ consumers’ data and profit from it
There is no revenue threshold for coverage

The Colorado Data Privacy Act Provides Protections for Online Shoppers in Longmont

Consumer Rights Under Colorado’s Data Privacy Laws

The Colorado Privacy Act (CPA) gives residents a set of enforceable rights over their personal data. These rights are designed to increase transparency, control, and accountability in how businesses handle consumer information.

If you live in Longmont or elsewhere in Colorado, you are entitled to these 5 data privacy rights:

1. Right to Access and Data Portability

You have the right to see what personal data a business has collected about you.

You can also request that this data be provided in a portable, usable format.

2. Right to Correct and Delete

Consumers can fix inaccurate personal data and request that businesses delete it altogether.

This applies to most types of personal data, with limited exceptions.

3. Right to Opt-Out

You can opt out of your data being:

Sold to third parties
Used for targeted advertising
Used for automated profiling tied to significant decisions

4. Right to Appeal

If a request is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision and receive a response within a set timeframe.

5. Special Protections for Sensitive Data

Businesses must obtain explicit consent before collecting or using sensitive data like:

Health conditions
Racial or ethnic origin
Biometric identifiers
Sexual orientation

What Businesses are required to do under Colorado's Data Privacy Laws

What are Businesses Required to Do under the CPA?

The Colorado Privacy Act (CPA) outlines clear responsibilities for businesses that collect or process personal data from Colorado consumers.

If you’re a Longmont business that meets the CPA thresholds explained earlier, here’s what you’re required to comply with:

Privacy Notices and Transparency

You must provide a clear, accessible privacy notice that explains:

What data you collect
Why you collect it
Who you share it with
How consumers can exercise their rights

This notice should be easy to find on your website or app.

Data Protection Impact Assessments

If your business engages in high-risk data processing, such as profiling or selling data, you’re required to conduct a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA).

These must be documented and available to the Colorado Attorney General upon request.

Universal Opt-Out Mechanism

By July 1, 2024, you must honor universal opt-out signals sent from browsers or plug-ins.

These browser-level settings let users automatically opt out of:

Targeted ads
Data sales
Profiling

Consent Requirements

You need explicit opt-in consent before processing:

Sensitive data
Personal data from known minors under 13
Data for secondary purposes not originally disclosed

Failing to get proper consent can trigger enforcement and penalties.

Exemptions and Limitations

Not all organizations or data types fall under the Colorado Privacy Act (CPA). Certain entities and types of information are excluded from the law, even if they operate/are collected in Colorado.

Entity-Level Exemptions

The CPA does not apply to:

Healthcare providers under HIPAA
Financial institutions under GLBA
Public utilities and air carriers

Data-Type Exemptions

The following types of data are excluded:

Publicly available data
Employment records
Deidentified or research data

Enforcement and Penalties

The Colorado Attorney General and District Attorneys are responsible for enforcing the CPA.

There is no private right of action—only the state can pursue violations.The Attorney General:

Holds exclusive enforcement authority
Can investigate complaints and issue opinion letters
May demand access to data protection assessments

Fines

Businesses can be fined up to $20,000 per violation. Generally, higher penalties apply for violations involving elderly individuals.

Impact on Longmont Consumers and Businesses

The Colorado Privacy Act (CPA) is already changing what you need to know about how personal data is handled.

Whether you’re shopping online or running a local business, here’s what to do:

Consumers

Learn how to use your rights to access, delete, or opt out
Expect clear privacy notices and faster response times

Businesses

Implement opt-out tools and update privacy policies
Train staff on handling consumer data requests

2025 Update to Colorado Data Privacy Laws

Starting in 2025, the Colorado Privacy Act (CPA) has expanded requirements for:

Biometric Data Protections: Effective July 1, 2025, businesses must implement policies for collecting and handling biometric identifiers, including retention schedules and security protocols.
Children’s Online Data: Starting October 1, 2025, enhanced protections for minors’ data require businesses to assess and mitigate risks when offering online services to individuals under 18.

Colorado Data Privacy FAQ

How do I opt out of data tracking in Colorado?

You can opt out by using a universal opt-out mechanism—typically built into your browser (such as Chrome, Safari, or Edge) or through a privacy plug-in.

What counts as personal data in Colorado?

Personal data includes any information that can identify you, such as your name, email, IP address, and phone number. It excludes public records and deidentified data.

How do I opt out of targeted ads?

Look for a clear opt-out option on websites- many sites will include this in their cookie banner or privacy policy.

Universal opt-out tools can also block targeted ads by default.

Does the CPA apply to small businesses?

Yes, the CPA applies to small businesses who process 100,000+ consumers’ data/year, or 25,000+ with revenue from selling data. There’s no revenue threshold.