Colorado consumers will be able to significantly reduce annoying telemarketing calls under a bill that won final approval from the Legislature Wednesday.

House Bill 1405, sponsored by Sen. Ken Chlouber, R-Leadville, and Rep. Al White, R-Winter Park, was passed in the House with a 47 to 18 vote. In the Senate, it was 31 to 4 in support.

The bill faced a gauntlet of opposition, including heavy lobbying from the telemarketing industry.

Under the legislation, Colorado residents will be able to sign up online or over the telephone for the Colorado No-Call List for no charge. Telemarketing companies who call people listed on the state's Telemarketing No-Call List could face fines of up to $2,000 per violation, 7NEWS reported.

More than 25,000 Coloradans have already registered for a prototype no-call list, which will be incorporated into the state's official list under the legislation. Residents can continue to add their phone numbers to the prototype list, which can be found at www.coloradonocall.org.

While political and nonprofit calls are excluded due to First Amendment restrictions, the new law should significantly improve Coloradans' chances of getting through dinner without the phone ringing.

Previous Stories:

• May 9, 2001: Telemarketing Bill Takes Another Step
• May 8, 2001: New Telemarketing Bill Moving Through Legislature
• April 17, 2001: Telemarketing Bill Killed By Senate Committee