Colorado colleges required to speed up missing student reports
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Megan Trussell, 18, was found dead on Feb. 15 in Boulder Canyon. Photo: Courtesy of the Trussell family
Colleges across Colorado will have to respond faster when students are reported missing under a new law partly inspired by the disappearance and death of a University of Colorado Boulder freshman Megan Trussell last year.
Why it matters: The law creates statewide standards for reporting missing students after concerns that colleges have handled cases inconsistently.
Driving the news: Senate Bill 26-120 requires higher ed institutions in Colorado to report a missing student to campus or local police within six hours after being informed.
- The measure requires missing person alert training for officers seeking or renewing certification and establishes standardized campus response protocols.
Catch up quick: Lawmakers pointed to Trussell's case while advancing the bill.
- Trussell was last seen Feb. 9, 2025, and was found dead near Boulder Canyon six days later.
- Her parents supported the legislation, arguing CU took too long to issue an alert, and the bill's co-sponsor, state Sen. Janice Marchman of Boulder and Larimer counties, echoed those concerns.
"I brought forward this bill in partnership with the brave families who have lived through the unthinkable – their child going missing, on or off a Colorado college campus," Marchman said in a statement.
Yes, but: CU has consistently maintained it acted swiftly. The university says an officer was dispatched to Trussell's dorm and an investigation began within an hour of her official missing person report on Feb. 12, 2025.
- During a debate on the bill, CU officials argued the six-hour reporting requirement could be difficult to meet because students frequently leave campus for weekends or trips, and because the relatively small university police department could be strained.
What we're watching: CU spokesperson Nicole Cousins said the university will update its policies to comply with the new law.
- "We regularly evaluate our policies, processes and protocols to foster a safe and supportive environment for our students to flourish," Cousins said.
Zoom out: Olivia Meyer, a recent CU media production graduate, made a short documentary about Trussell's case for her senior project after feeling students weren't getting enough information.
- "Students can see themselves or their friends in Megan's case," Meyer told us. "She was one of our peers, and it's why this is all emotionally resonating with people on campus, and students just want ... accountability from the university to tell us what's actually going on."
Caveat: Disputes over communication in the Trussell case stem partly from disagreements about her death.
- After an initial response by CU police, the investigation was handled by the Boulder County sheriff and coroner's office, which ruled Trussell's death a suicide.
- Trussell's parents dispute the conclusion and have said they remain concerned that foul play was involved. The case is undergoing a state review.
Friction point: That left CU navigating a case officially ruled a suicide, but viewed by many as a potential public safety threat.
- The university has faced past criticism for emergency communications involving possible off-campus threats and recently expanded its alert system.
- "We recognize that sharing information about incidents that occur off campus where health and or safety may be at risk can play a key role," Cousins said.
The bottom line: Even as questions surrounding Trussell's death remain unresolved, her case has already prompted policy changes.
- "Knowing that Megan's story has helped create meaningful change that could protect students and help families get answers more quickly is a powerful part of her legacy," her family said in a statement. "If this law helps even one family avoid what we went through, then Megan's life will continue to make a difference."