Bill Tracker

Codifies the recent action by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to combine the Children’s Home and Community-Based Services (CHCBS) waiver and the Children with Life Limiting Illness (CLLI) waiver – into the Children with Complex Health Needs waiver program.

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

Approved by the Transportation Legislation Review Committee, the bill aims to enhance paratransit services for individuals with disabilities in Colorado. The bill introduces specific duties for transit agencies and establishes a task force to study and recommend best practices for paratransit services.

By January 1, 2026, transit agencies are required to collaborate with local emergency service providers to develop a plan for communicating information and delivering paratransit services during emergencies. Transit agencies must ensure that the fare collection technology used for paratransit services is comparable to that of regular or fixed-route services, promoting equity and ease of use for all passengers. Before reducing any paratransit service areas, transit agencies are mandated to consult with affected community members and conduct an impact analysis. This analysis should assess the number of users affected, alternative transit options, funding sustainability, and the suitability of different vehicles for various passenger needs. Finally, the bill establishes a 16-member task force within the Department of Transportation. This task force is charged with studying and making recommendations on standardizing and implementing best practices for paratransit services across the state. A report summarizing their findings and recommendations is to be submitted to the Transportation Legislation Review Committee by October 15, 2025.

Transportation & Telecommunications

Meghan MacKillop

Extends the time frame for construction of a well outside the boundaries of a designated groundwater basin to 2 years (rather than 1 year) after receiving a permit. Also removes the requirement that the commission or state engineer mail a certified letter to the permit holder prior to expiration and allows these entities to reinstate an expired permit if the applicant can show the well was completed in a timely manner and pays a $30 fee. The bill also divides the division engineers’ decennial water rights report into two batches, extends certain timeframes related to the well permitting process, and eliminates final permitting requirements for non-Denver Basin bedrock aquifer wells in designated basins.

A fact sheet is available here: 

https://shorturl.at/Eg7dw

Land Use & Natural Resources

Reagan Shane

Requires public and governmental entities to provide the most integrated setting that is appropriate to the needs of individuals with disabilities, specifies when entities are required to provide home- and community-based services and requires the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to develop a comprehensive community integration plan for integrated settings. Additionally, requires entities that reduce services to perform an assessment and risk management plan if the reduction increases the risk of institutionalization for individuals receiving services.

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

The bill requires (but includes an opt out) for individuals to submit applications for certain contiguous fencing projects in the Sangre de Cristo lands to the local government with jurisdiction over the project. The local government must publish notice of the receipt of the application and must make a decision no later than 60 days after receiving the application.

This bill is meant to address specific circumstances in the Sangre de Cristo land grant lands. An amendment is being planned to switch the bill from an opt-out to an opt-in, in addition to other amendment considerations.

Land Use & Natural Resources

Reagan Shane

Current law grants a municipality police power over land that it acquires outside its municipal limits for use as parks, parkways, boulevards, or roads. The bill extends this authority to land that a municipality acquires for open space and natural areas, regardless of whether such areas are open or closed to the public.

The bill was amended to remove implications for water and eminent domain.

Land Use & Natural Resources

Reagan Shane

Effective January 1, 2026, the bill mandates that local governments adopting or substantially amending their building codes ensure these codes meet or exceed the accessibility standards outlined in the International Building Code (IBC). This requirement extends to the Division of Fire Prevention and Control within the Department of Public Safety, particularly concerning building codes for public schools and health facilities. Additionally, the State Housing Board must ensure that construction and maintenance standards for hotels, motels, and multiple dwellings in areas without local building codes align with or surpass IBC accessibility standards.

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

Creates a civil cause of action for a peace officer if the peace officer reports or discloses conduct that is in violation of, or the peace officer reasonably believes is in violation of, any law or policy and the report or disclosure is a contributing factor in the employer of the peace officer's decision to take adverse employment action against the peace officer. Additionally, creates an affirmative defense to the action if the peace officer's employer would have taken the action that forms the basis of the suit against the peace officer, based on a legitimate nonretaliatory basis.

Justice & Public Safety

Kevin Neimond

Two key provisions include (1) Creating a regional homelessness response district, which is formed by counties and municipalities to reduce and prevent homelessness; and (2) Allowing a county clerk and recorder to designate money collected from documentary filing fees for granting or conveying real property to be transferred to a housing agency for the purpose of developing, preserving, or acquiring affordable housing aligned with demonstrated community needs for homeless individuals. The bill also formalizes the Governor’s interagency council on homelessness and directs the Office of Homeless Initiatives to convene the continuum of care organizations more frequently.

Land Use & Natural Resources

Reagan Shane

Allows local collaborative management programs (CMPs) to enter into agreements with Medicaid managed care entities. Additionally, specifies that courts may access relevant program records.

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

The statutory definition of “clean energy” determines which energy projects are eligible for clean energy project financing at the county and city and county level. The statutory definition of “clean energy resource” determines which energy resources may be used by a qualifying utility to meet the 2050 clean energy target. The bill updates these two definitions to include nuclear energy.

Land Use & Natural Resources

Reagan Shane

Under current law, a person who is committed, arrested, or imprisoned has the right to communicate with their attorney. The bill specifies that a person also has the right to receive certain communications from their attorney. This includes in-person meetings in places of custody, telephone calls, or, if available, interactive audiovisual conferencing calls. Any communication must be private, and calls must be unrecorded and without cost to the person in custody. Finally, the bill also requires peace officers and facilities to allow a person in custody to receive a telephone or audiovisual call from their attorney if the person in custody expressly consents to the call.

Justice & Public Safety

Kevin Neimond

Exempts a county from the requirement to operate a county jail if it has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with another county to operate a multijurisdictional county jail.

Justice & Public Safety

Kevin Neimond

Approved by the Cell Phone Connectivity Interim Study Committee, the bill mandates that local governments must approve or deny applications from telecommunications providers for new wireless facilities or substantial modifications to existing ones within 60 days of submission or a pre-application meeting, whichever comes first. If the local government fails to act within this timeframe, and the provider has fulfilled all public notice requirements and notified the local government of the lapse, the application is deemed approved. The bill allows for the 60-day period to be tolled for timely requests for additional information or extended by mutual agreement. Additionally, the bill prohibits local governments from requiring new applications or permits for the removal, discontinuation, or replacement of telecommunications equipment at existing facilities, provided the provider notifies the local government and the changes do not constitute a substantial change as defined by federal regulations. The legislation is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Transportation & Telecommunications

Meghan MacKillop

Allows a local government to impose installation/operational requirements for electronic fence detection systems within the local government’s adopted process for the permitting of alarm systems. Also allows a local government to require a permit for the installation of such a system that is not in addition to permits required for installation of other alarm systems.

Land Use & Natural Resource

Reagan Shane

The bill creates the Community Schoolyards Grant Program in the Division of Local Government (DLG) in the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). The grants are for local education providers, boards of cooperative education services, and tribal organizations to create park-like environments at schools that provide hands-on programming to students, enhance well-being of students and community members, and address inequities in underserved communities, particularly those affected by minerals and mineral fuels subject to severance tax. Grant recipients are awarded up to $150,000 for planning and design of a community schoolyard and up to $850,000 for the construction of these schoolyards. Recipients of construction funds do not need to have received a planning and design grant if they provide appropriate documents in their application.

$4 million is appropriated from the Local Government Severance Tax Fund for the program. The transfer must come from the portion of the Local Government Severance Tax Fund that is distributed to local governments impacted by mineral fuels and severance taxes. The money is appropriated through FY28-29. DOLA is requesting that $500,000 be appropriated to the department for implementation.

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

Requires a court to sentence an offender convicted of a class 4 felony sexual assault on a child or sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust to an indeterminate term of incarceration that can range from the presumptive range minimum of 2 years to a maximum of the offender's natural life. Also, requires a court to sentence an offender convicted of a class 3 felony sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust when the child is less than 15 years of age to an indeterminate term of incarceration that can range from the presumptive range minimum of 4 years to a maximum of the offender's natural life. Finally, prohibits a court from sentencing these types of offenders to probation.

Justice & Public Safety

Kevin Neimond

The bill requires the Colorado Broadband Office to implement a wireless telephone infrastructure deployment grant program similar to the broadband deployment grant program in the broadband office. The broadband office may allocate High Cost Support Mechanism (HCSM) money for the grant program to help finance the deployment of wireless telephone infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas of the state.

Transportation & Telecommunications

Meghan MacKillop

In current law, if a service member's driver's license expires while they are serving on active duty outside of Colorado, the driver's license expiration date is extended for 3 years or until 90 days after the service member returns to the state. This bill designates the service member's dependents as also subject to the extension of their driver's license expiration date.

Transportation & Telecommunications

Meghan MacKillop

Makes changes to public hospital boards of trustees by allowing appointed public officials to serve on public hospital boards, requiring public hospital boards to meet annually (instead of each January), and removing the requirement that a hospital board trustee must examine hospitals twice per month. Additionally, moves the deadline for hospital boards to certify to a board of county commissioners the amount that is necessary to maintain the hospital for the next year from October 1st to December 1st.

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

In 1975, the General Assembly enacted the original "Interstate Compact on Placement of Children". In 2024, the General Assembly enacted an updated version of the compact. The bill clarifies that the original compact remains in effect until the updated compact is enacted into law by 35 states.

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

Allows a political subdivision or an ambulance service providing ambulance services on behalf of the political subdivision to submit to the Division of Insurance the established rates for the ambulance services, if the rates meet specified conditions. Additionally, establishes reimbursement rates for ambulance services that are out of network.

Justice & Public Safety

Kevin Neimond

Current law prevents local governments from implementing anti-growth laws that explicitly limit the population/housing growth except under certain circumstances. The bill adds that an anti-growth law includes a regulation that, in census urban areas, explicitly decreases the permitted residential density or residential uses of land relative to those allows on July 1, 2025, without ensuring a corresponding increase in density or uses elsewhere in the jurisdiction. The bill also allows municipalities to seek a judicial determination as to the legality of a proposed land use ordinance that restricts or limits development prior to an election.

The bill is coming forward in response to a development disagreement in Lakewood.

Land Use & Natural Resources

Reagan Shane

The bill requires that a petitioner or their agent must comply with the uniform standards of professional appraisal practice (USPAP) when appealing to the BAA, district court, or arbitration. These are the same standards that licensed appraisers must comply with. This bill applies only to appeals of taxes for property that is nonresidential real property and that is not agricultural property. 

The bill also adds to the required disclosures that a petitioner must provide to the county for an appeal to the BAA concerning rent-producing commercial real property. In these cases, the petitioner must provide additional disclosures. 

• 1. full copies of all leases that are in place as of the date of the valuation of the property and 
• 2. any market data that the petitioner has relied on to determine the value they are requesting for their property instead of the valuation that's been set by the county assessor.

Taxation & Finance

Dylan Peper

The bill has been significantly amended to remove the original mandate in the bill. Now, the bill exclusively implements fixes to the SolarAPP grant program, extending the timeline during which a local government may use a grant for up to three years after the grantee implements the software.

Land Use & Natural Resources

Reagan Shane

Requires the state Department of Human Services to develop and adopt a placement transition plan template that outlines how a county department of human services will transition a child from one out-of-home placement in a foster care home, kinship foster care home, or non-certified kinship care home to another or back to the child's home. Additionally, requires newly employed county caseworkers to complete training on the importance of transition plans created by the state Department of Human Services. All county caseworkers must complete the training every three years.

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

Requires the Water Quality Control Commission to issue written guidance specific to the development of the daily maximum amount of a pollutant from all sources that is allowed to enter state waters so that an applicable water quality standard is met (total daily maximum load, or TMDL). Also requires TMDLs to be set using “credible data,” including data that has been collected within the last five years and relevant historical data.

Land Use & Natural Resources

Reagan Shane

The bill establishes new cost-sharing rules for maintaining existing railroad crossings, impacting counties and other local governments. Under the bill, if the road authority responsible for a crossing is not a local government, maintenance costs must be shared equally between the railroad entity and the applicable road authority. The PUC rule will clarify that a county is only responsible for maintaining the portion of a railroad crossing that is outside of the railroad ties, while railroads maintain the track areas.

Transportation & Telecommunications

Meghan MacKillop

The bill modifies property tax exemptions for certain homeowners, starting with reassessment cycles on or after January 1, 2025. It changes the exemption for qualifying seniors, disabled veterans, and eligible surviving spouses from 50% of the first $200,000 of a home's value to 50% of 50% of the estimated state median home value. If the median home value declines, the exemption remains based on the prior cycle's value.
Additionally, if voters approve a constitutional amendment in the 2026 general election, the bill would allow seniors and surviving spouses who previously qualified for the exemption (since 2016) to apply it to a new residence without meeting the 10-year ownership requirement.

Taxation & Finance

Dylan Peper

Under current law, local governments are prohibited from allowing the installation of nonfunctional turf, artificial turf, or invasive plant species in new developments or redevelopments on commercial, institutional, and industrial properties, as well as rights-of-way, parking lots, medians, and transportation corridors. Local governments have the authority to define “functional turf” - that is, what kinds of grass areas are used regularly for civic, community, or recreational purposes – as appropriate for their communities.

HB25-1113 expands the definition of “applicable property” to include multifamily residential housing property with more than 12 dwelling units. For all other residential real property, the bill requires local governments to enact ordinances, resolutions, or regulations for new development and redevelopment projects to regulate the installation of nonfunctional turf beginning January 1, 2028. The mechanism for regulating installation is up to the local government.

Land Use & Natural Resources

Reagan Shane

Establishes the Septic-System Replacement Enterprise to provide interest-free or low-interest loans to low-income households for replacement of failing septic systems. The enterprise will be a Type 1 entity funded by a fee on septic system permits and governed by a 7-member board (including one rural county commissioner, one rural county board of health member, and one member representing an association of Colorado counties). The fee structure is as follows: $10 if the permit is <$500; $50 if the permit is $500 - $999; $100 if the permit is $1,000-$1,399; and $200 if the permit is $1,400+.

CCI is concerned about increasing the cost of septic permits, especially given the existing affordability challenges for housing and rural septic systems.

Land Use & Natural Resources

Reagan Shane

This bill introduces new requirements for apprenticeship participation in public construction projects. The bill also mandates that contractors and subcontractors performing mechanical, electrical, plumbing work, or employing construction laborers on covered projects must participate in a registered apprenticeship program that meets specified graduation requirements. Notably, the bill allows counties to opt into the state’s apprenticeship utilization and prevailing wage requirements. 

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

The bill repeals the retail delivery fee established in SB 21-260. These fees are distributed to several funds and enterprises created by the 2021 legislation, including the Multimodal Mitigation Options Fund and the HUTF.  

Transportation & Telecommuncations

Meaghan MacKillop

Increases the juvenile detention bed cap from 215 to 254 for FY 2025-26 and sets the cap at 125% of the juvenile detention average daily population projection for FY 2026-27 and each year thereafter. The cap excludes juveniles who are in detention for committing a delinquent act that would constitute a class 1 felony if it were committed by an adult. Additionally, for FY 2025-26 and each year thereafter, requires the General Assembly to appropriate $2.0 million for youth who are detained and can be placed in environments other than detention (an increase of $200,000 over the current law appropriation for this purpose).

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

Caps the maximum incarceration sentence for a municipal violation that has a comparable state law crime at the same length as the state-level offense. When there is no comparable state-level offense, the maximum period of incarceration is capped at the maximum for a state-level petty offense. Additionally, mandatory minimums and increased penalties based on prior convictions are prohibited unless the person is convicted of a municipal offense for which there is a comparable state offense or of an infraction that allows imposition of the same mandatory minimum or increased penalties based on prior convictions. Finally, caps a consecutive municipal sentence at 2 times the highest charge in the case.

Justice & Public Safety

Kevin Neimond

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

Implements the legislative recommendations of the Colorado Child Support Commission by updating the child support guidelines schedule, updating the monthly incomes eligible for a reduced low-income adjustment, and replacing the current parenting time credit with a formula that provides parents credit for all overnights spent with that parent.

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

Authorizes the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to seek federal authorization to extend the timeline for member reenrollment in Medicaid based on the financial eligibility for a member whose income is based solely on a fixed income source and verify a member's eligibility for reenrollment based on income and need at the same time. Additionally, requires HCPF to modify the questions asked to medical professionals when verifying a member's need for long-term services and supports and allows any licensed medical professional who has a bona fide physician-patient relationship with a member to complete the documentation necessary to verify a member's need for long-term services and supports. Finally, prohibits HCPF from requiring new documentation for a member who transitions from receiving services in an institutional setting to receiving services in a home- and community-based setting and vice versa.

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

The bill removes local government authority to regulate open or concealed carry of handguns, including regulations by special districts and governing boards of higher education institutions. The bill also allows individuals 18 years and older, who are legally permitted to possess a handgun under federal and state law, to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. The bill changes the validity of concealed carry permits from five years to a lifetime, automatically converting existing permits (excluding temporary emergency permits) into lifetime permits. 

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

Beginning December 31, 2026, requires jurisdictions with populations >2,000 to allow a residential development to be constructed on a qualifying property (<5 acres owned by a faith-based organization or educational institution), subject to an administrative approval process. Subject jurisdictions may not impose standards that are more restrictive than those in the underlying or contiguous zoning requirements. Jurisdictions must also allow childcare and the provision of recreational, social, or educational services as uses in such residential developments, but they may condition these uses on occupying no more than 15% of the development. Exempt parcels include those with inadequate water and sewage infrastructure and/or septic and parcels where residential use is limited by state regulation, federal regulation, or deed restriction. The bill has been amended to clarify that counties may still impose short-term rental regulations on the property.

In response to affordability concerns, the bill now requires that developments comply with any applicable inclusionary zoning ordinance or other affordable housing policy. If the jurisdiction has not adopted such a policy, the following applies. FOR RENTALS: If the market rate rent in the jurisdiction is at or below 120% AMI for the county, the development must align with demonstrated housing needs in the jurisdiction identified in a housing needs assessment. If the market rate rent in the jurisdiction is above 120% AMI, at least 20% of the rental units must have income limits not exceeding 80% AMI. FOR SALE: At least 20% of the dwelling units sold must have income limits not exceeding 140% AMI.

Land Use & Natural Resources

Reagan Shane

Changes the child relinquishment requirements for a parent in cases where the parent is a victim of sexual assault that resulted in the conception of the child to be relinquished. Additionally, requires the State Court Administrator to develop or modify an existing, standardized form for a petitioner to file to terminate another person's parent-child legal relationship because the child was conceived as a result of sexual assault.

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

Specifies that child abuse or neglect must not be based solely upon a parent's or child's indigence, unavailability of accessible services, unhoused status, or disability. Additionally, updates requirements for mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect, as well as employers of mandatory reporters. Finally, requires a county department of human services to assign a referral identification number to each report of child abuse or neglect.

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

House Bill 25-1191 eliminates the vacancy committee process for filling county commissioner vacancies in Colorado. Instead, it mandates a vacancy election, with timing based on proximity to regularly scheduled elections. Candidates must meet eligibility requirements, pay a $500 filing fee, and be registered with the same party as the vacating commissioner (if applicable). Only registered voters in the commissioner’s district, affiliated with the same party or unaffiliated, can vote.

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

Allows a peace officer, firefighter, volunteer firefighter, emergency medical service provider, or other individual who responds to a public safety emergency to request that their address be kept confidential in voter registration records. 

Justice & Public Safety

Kevin Neimond

Establishes the Regional Planning Roundtable Commission within the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to, at a local government’s request, provide support for certain planning efforts. The commission is a Type 2 entity with 21 members, including representatives from CML, CCI, SDA, a regional council of governments, and four members representing distinct regions of the state.

The bill has been amended to clarify that the commission meets ONLY at a local government’s request and to expand its membership to include key groups like the Department of Agriculture.

Land Use & Natural Resources

Reagan Shane

The bill introduces a four-installment payment option for property taxes starting in the 2025 tax year. Currently, property taxes must be paid in full by April 30 or in two equal installments (February and June). Under the new option, eligible taxpayers—those owing more than $25 on residential or certain improved commercial properties and not paying through a mortgage escrow—can pay in four equal installments:

• February 28
• April 30
• July 15
• September 15

However, at least half of the total tax must be paid by April 30 to remain eligible for the installment plan. Taxpayers can also choose to pay in full at any time before a tax lien sale. 

If a taxpayer misses the July 15 installment, interest accrues at 1% per month starting July 16. If the September 15 installment is missed, interest accrues at 1% per month from September 16.

Additionally, the bill extends the deadline for tax lien sale notices from September 1 to October 15 to accommodate the new installment schedule. County treasurers must include information about this option with tax statements.

Taxation & Finance

Dylan Peper

Reorganizes and updates statutes pertaining to the duties of the Office of the Child Protection Ombudsman. Specifically, the bill creates a new provision that pertains to the Office's access to information necessary to conduct an independent review of a complaint, clarifies when the Office may receive and conduct an independent and impartial investigation of complaints, and provides the Office access to facilities operated by the Colorado Department of Human Services.

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

Codifies the federal "Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978" into state law as the "Colorado Indian Child Welfare Act" (CO-ICWA) and provides additional protections for Indian children and children known to be Indian children under state law.

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

House Bill 25-1208 mandates that local governments with a higher minimum wage than the state minimum wage implement a tip offset for food and beverage workers. This offset is calculated as the difference between the local and state minimum wage, plus $3.02. The bill sets deadlines for local governments to adopt this offset and restricts changes to it after 2026.

Taxation & Finance

Dylan Peper

House Bill 25-1209 modernizes marijuana industry regulations, including digital employee ID cards, streamlined criminal background checks, and updated surveillance standards. It permits promotional events at licensed stores, increases purchase limits for retail marijuana from one to two ounces, and establishes a process for marijuana research and development facilities. Additionally, the bill revises record-keeping and allows the collection of fees for licensing document copies.

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

Makes a variety of changes to the Medicaid program, including requiring the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to follow standards set by the federal government when updating rules and ensure updates and changes to the rules are easily identifiable, prevents a Medicaid enrollee receiving home- and community-based services from losing the services currently received if the member's disability and need for services have not changed in the preceding 3 years, and requires a Regional Accountable Entity (RAE) to submit to the Department the amount the RAE is paid and the RAE's medical loss ratio.

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

The bill strengthens transparency for metropolitan districts by requiring mailed or emailed notices for annual public meetings, hard copies of nomination forms at in-person meetings, and expanded information on district websites, including board contacts, meeting schedules, and service details. It also mandates a contact system for residents’ inquiries when staff is unavailable. Property sellers in districts formed after January 1, 2000, must provide specific disclosures and an explanation of district operations, regardless of whether the property is newly constructed.

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

House Bill 25-1225 defines and prohibits actions intended to intimidate, threaten, or coerce individuals involved in election-related activities, including voters, election workers, and officials. It establishes a rebuttable presumption of intimidation when firearms are visibly displayed during election-related interactions. The bill provides enforcement mechanisms through civil actions by affected individuals, election officials, the secretary of state, or the attorney general. It complements existing laws, aiming to protect election integrity and participants

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

The bill modifies CDOT design-build contract criteria, prioritizing long-term sustainability, lifecycle costs, environmental impact, and community benefits. The bill also encourages projects that minimize community disruption and address climate resilience, impacting county-level transportation planning and budgeting.

Transportation & Telecommunications

Meghan MacKillop

Under current law, elected county officials in certain counties may elect to receive a salary that is 50% lower than the salary amount for that county official as set by law. This election must be set forth and recorded with the office of a county's clerk and recorder during the month of November. The bill allows elected county officials in any county, including district attorneys, to opt for a reduced salary or no salary at all, with an annual election submitted to the county treasurer. It also reclassifies Mesa County from category I-D to I-A, increasing elected officials' salaries starting January 1, 2029. This change offers flexibility for officials in managing their compensation while adjusting Mesa County’s pay scale to align with larger counties.

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

Transportation & Telecommunications

Meghan MacKillop

Current law prohibits a person licensed to sell alcohol beverages at the retail level from selling, serving, or distributing alcohol between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. The bill allows these establishments to allow customers to consume alcohol from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. on the licensed premises if they stop selling no later than 2:30 am and stop serving alcohol at 3:00 am. The bill only applies where a local government opts in. 

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

The bill consolidates damages provisions for individuals with disabilities who experience an unfair housing practice, discrimination in places of public accommodation, or a violation of their civil rights with the general protections under the Colorado anti-discrimination act (CADA) for all protected classes. With the consolidation of these provisions, the allowable remedies under CADA include a court order requiring compliance with the applicable section of CADA, actual monetary damages, attorney fees and costs, damages for noneconomic loss or injury, and a statutory fine of $5,000 per aggrieved party and per violation. An award of damages for noneconomic loss or injury is capped at $50,000, and if a defendant is a small business, it is entitled to a 50% reduction of a noneconomic loss or injury award if it corrects the violation within 30 days of the complaint being filed and did not knowingly or intentionally make or cause to be made the violation.

The bill also extends the deadline for filing a charge with the Colorado civil rights commission alleging discrimination in places of public accommodation or discriminatory advertising from 60 days to one year after the alleged discriminatory act occurred.

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

House Bill 25-1242 revises Colorado’s transparency laws, including the Open Meetings Law, CORA, and CCJRA. It broadens access to peace officer records, mandates public release of internal investigation records within 21 days, and extends CORA response times from 3 to 5 business days. Fees for records retrieval are capped, and additional guidance is provided for records request processes. Public employee communications, including emails, are made more accessible, impacting county governments' records management and response obligations.

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

Increased Lodging Tax Rate:

The bill increases the maximum allowable county lodging tax rate from 2% to 6%, subject to local voter approval.

Expanded Use of Revenue:

The current law allows lodging tax revenue to be used for:

• Advertising and marketing local tourism.
• Housing and childcare for the tourism-related workforce.
• Facilitating and enhancing visitor experiences.

The bill expands the allowable uses to include:

• Public infrastructure maintenance and improvements.
• Preservation of natural landscapes and wildlife habitats, including promotion of sustainable tourism practices.
• Cultural and historical preservation, such as restoring historical sites, museums, and cultural institutions.
• Enhancing public safety, including funding for local law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency medical services.

Protection of Voter-Approved Allocations:

• If a county received voter approval before January 1, 2025, to allocate lodging tax revenue to specific purposes, those allocations remain preserved.
• Any new revenue from a tax rate increase may be allocated to additional allowable uses as permitted under this bill.

Voter Approval Requirements:

Any proposal to increase the tax rate or expand the use of revenue must be approved by local voters in a general or special election.

Taxation & Finance

Dylan Peper

Under current law, counties with populations of 70,000 or more can have a board of county commissioners consisting of either 3 or 5 members. If the board has 3 commissioners, they are elected from 3 districts by voters countywide. If the board has 5 commissioners, the county can be divided into 3 or 5 districts, and commissioners can be elected by district, at-large, or through a combination of both methods. This bill changes the rules for counties with populations of 250,000 or more, requiring them to have 5 commissioners representing 5 districts. These counties must select one of the following three election methods:5 commissioners residing in 5 districts, each elected solely by voters within their district; 3 commissioners residing in 3 districts elected only by voters within those districts, and 2 commissioners elected at large; and 5 commissioners elected at large using the single transferable vote method

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

The bill updates energy use benchmarking and performance standard requirements for covered building owners (buildings of 50,000 square feet or more that are not public buildings). This includes a requirement to meet 2040 performance standards, as adopted by the Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC), authorizing an alternative compliance mechanism for certain performance standards, and aligning civil penalties for a violation with civil penalties for other air quality violations. The bill also creates a building decarbonization enterprise to provide financial, technical, and programmatic assistance to covered building owners to implement various building decarbonization measures. The enterprise will be funded through an annual fee on covered building owners. Additionally, the bill clarifies that adoption of a wildfire resiliency code does not trigger energy code adoption requirements.

The bill has been amended to require the AQCC to, when adopting 2040 performance standards, take into account the capital planning periods for covered buildings, feasibility for building owners, and the practical and financial feasibility of meeting the targets.

Land Use & Natural Resources

Reagan Shane

Requires counties to determine whether each child or youth in foster care may be eligible to receive federal Social Security benefits due to a mental or physical disability (Title XVI) or the death of a parent (Title II). Next, requires counties to apply for Social Security benefits on behalf of the child or youth and prohibits counties from using Social Security benefits to offset the cost of providing basic care and services to a child or youth in foster care. Finally, requires counties to establish a trust account for Social Security benefits. Money in the account is available for a limited set of current, unmet needs. Otherwise, the county must save money in the account for the future needs of the individual child or youth.

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

Creates the Multifamily Construction Incentive Program, which allows developers to access certain construction defect liability reforms if they meet certain criteria, including implementing a series of third-party inspections for the development, successfully repairing or resolving any instance of noncompliant design/construction identified during an inspection, and providing a warranty that covers any defect and damage at no cost for identified timelines. For developments in this program, a construction defect claim must have resulted in certain types of actual damage or unreasonable risk of bodily injury, death, or threat to life/health/safety.

Land Use & Natural Resources

Reagan Shane

The bill requires municipalities with a population of 100,000 or more that is served by an accredited fire protection district or department to, by December 1, 2027, adopt or amend a building code to allow up to five stories of a multifamily residential building to be served by a single exit. Such buildings must meet certain safety standards related to construction material, travel distance, sprinkler systems, etc. This requirement only applies to the area within a subject jurisdiction that is served by a single fire protection district or department.

Land Use & Natural Resources

Reagan Shane

Under current law, a court is required to release a person on a personal recognizance bond if the person was charged with an offense for a violation with a maximum penalty that does not exceed 6 months' imprisonment, and the court cannot require the person to give security of any kind for their appearance for trial other than their personal recognizance, unless certain conditions exist. The bill clarifies these provisions apply in both state and municipal courts. The bill adds to the conditions for which a person may be required to give security that the defendant previously failed to appear in court 2 or more times in the present case. Additionally, existing law prohibits a court from imposing a monetary condition of release for a defendant charged with a traffic offense, petty offense, or comparable municipal offense, or a municipal offense for which there is no comparable state misdemeanor offense, with specified exceptions. The bill adds exceptions to that law for (1) certain petty offenses if the defendant has previously failed to appear in court 2 or more times in the present case and (2) any other petty offense, traffic offense, or a comparable municipal offense or a municipal offense for which there is no comparable state offense, if the defendant has previously failed to appear for a court proceeding 3 or more times in the present case and has another pending charge for the same offense in the same jurisdiction.

Justice & Public Safety

Kevin Neimond

Requires each county to collect and report data on monthly basis about the Colorado Works program to the Colorado Department of Human Services. Next, the Department must establish standardized outcome measures for third-party contracted services and required levels of evidence for third-party contracted services funded by the Colorado Works program. On a monthly basis, the Department must post the data it collects from counties and progress toward the standardized outcome measures on its website. Finally, the Department must submit a report to the General Assembly with information regarding the standard of need for eligibility for basic cash assistance through the Colorado Works program. 

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

The bill requires employers, including local governments, to implement protections for workers who are exposed to extreme hot and cold temperatures at the worksite, including temperature mitigation measures, rest breaks, and temperature-related injury and illness prevention plans.

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

Current law allows a property tax exemption for portions of real property leased by a public entity, such as the state, a local government, or a public university, if the property is used for public purposes. Public entities must submit a copy of the lease to the county assessor to claim this exemption.

HB-1289 Changes:

• Requires metropolitan districts (a type of local government) to submit additional information to the county assessor when they lease property for public use.
• The district must file a statement detailing:
• How the property is being used for the district’s purposes.
• The district’s authority to use the property for these purposes.
• Any private use of the leased property.
• Any conflicts of interest disclosed by members of the district’s board regarding the leased property.

Review Process

• If a board member discloses a conflict of interest related to the lease, the assessor must forward this information to the district’s governing body.
• The governing body must issue a decision within 180 days on whether the property is being used for a public purpose.
• If the governing body determines the property is not used for a public purpose, it loses its tax-exempt status.
• This decision is final, meaning it cannot be appealed or challenged in court.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that if a private owner leases property to a public entity but then subleases it back for private use, the property remains taxable to the private owner.

Taxation & Finance

Dylan Peper

The bill makes it third degree assault (a class 1 misdemeanor) to: intend to harass, annoy, threaten, or alarm a transit worker by causing the transit worker to come into contact with bodily fluids or hazardous materials; or intend to prevent a transit worker from performing a lawful duty and that action causes bodily injury to the transit worker. The bill also makes the Regional Transportation District eligible to receive funds from Proposition 130, a ballot initiative passed in 2024 that provided additional state funding to law enforcement agencies and personnel. 

Transportation & Telecommunications

Meghan MacKillop

The bill requires the Department of Transportation (CDOT) to provide transmission developers the best available information on potential future state highway development projects that could impact the placement of a high voltage line within a state highway right-of-way. If CDOT and the transmission developer agree that a site may be suitable for a high voltage line, CDOT must develop a preconstruction plan review schedule, and, upon approval of the requirements in the preconstruction plan, the developer must provide a report on mitigation strategies needed to avoid potential impacts to certain communities. CDOT must approve this report before it issues the developer a permit for the use of a state highway right-of-way. Transmission developers must consider development sites in the following order of priority: existing utility corridors, then state highway rights-of-way, and then new utility corridors. By January 1, 2027, CDOT must update its rules concerning access to state highway rights-of way to accommodate high voltage lines.

Transportation & Telecommunications

Meghan MacKillop

The bill establishes fire safety permit reciprocity across jurisdictions if the original issuing jurisdiction adopted the most recent international fire code, and after completion of an inspection. The bill also establishes a reciprocal food safety license between Denver and other local governments (for the latter, this is already standard practice). A food truck owner or operator must provide a copy of their Denver/state food safety license or of their fire safety permit to the jurisdiction at least 14 days before operating. Notably, nothing in the bill prevents a local government from enacting and enforcing ordinances, zoning regulations, local fire codes, etc. that apply to food truck operations.

The bill was amended to remove previous prohibitions on adopting an ordinance, resolution, regulation, zoning code, or other code that limits the operation of food trucks as it relates to operating location and number of days of operation.

Land Use & Natural Resources

Reagan Shane

This applies to counties in section 11 related to the Alternative Transportation Tax Credit Expansion. The credit is equal to 50 percent of expenditures incurred by employers to provide alternative transportation options to their employees beginning in 2023. A single employer is limited to an annual tax credit of $250,000, and the maximum amount that an employer can claim for a single employee is $2,000. Private, non-profit, and local government employers may claim the credit. They expressly added counties into the definition of local government. A summary of the full bill can be found below. 

Section 2 – Insurance Premium Tax Rate Adjustment

• Increases the percentage of a company’s workforce that must be based in Colorado to qualify for the home office or regional office tax expenditure, from 2.5% to 7%.

Section 3 – Reporting of Tax-Exempt Premiums

• Requires insurance companies to report the total amount of premiums collected or contracted for on tax-exempt policies covering Colorado property or risks.

Section 6 – Limitation on Certain Tax Deductions

• Limits an existing tax deduction related to Section 280C of the Internal Revenue Code so that taxpayers can claim it only for income tax years before January 1, 2026.

Section 7 – Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Credit Limitation

• Limits the AMT credit to income tax years before January 1, 2025.

Section 8 – Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Extension

• Extends the availability of the child care contribution tax credit from January 1, 2028, to January 1, 2030.

Section 9 – Income Tax Credit for Seniors and Surviving Spouses

• Creates a new income tax credit starting January 1, 2026, for individuals aged 65+ or their surviving spouses.
• Previously eligible recipients of real property tax assistance and heat or fuel assistance.

Section 10 – Repeal of Property and Fuel Assistance Grants

• Eliminates grants for real property tax assistance and heat or fuel expenses beginning January 1, 2026.

Sections 4, 5, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23 – Conforming Amendments

• Adjustments to ensure consistency with Section 9 (new senior tax credit) and Section 10 (grant repeal).

Section 11 – Alternative Transportation Tax Credit Expansion

• Expands the definition of "local government" for this tax credit to include counties.

Section 12 – Business Personal Property Tax Credit Limitation

• Limits the business personal property tax credit to income tax years before January 1, 2026.

Section 13 – Historic Preservation Tax Credit Adjustment

• Removes the 5% increase in tax credit for rehabilitating a commercial structure in a disaster area.

Section 16 – Sales Tax on Downloaded Software

• Changes the sales tax exemption for downloaded software:
• All software available for repeated sale and governed by a nonnegotiable license agreement is now considered tangible property and subject to sales tax.

Section 17 – Sales Tax on Interstate Telecommunication Services

• Beginning July 1, 2025, interstate telephone and telegraph services will be subject to state sales tax.

Section 18 – Repeal of Fuel Excise Tax Reduction for Bad Debt

• Effective July 1, 2025, special fuel excise tax reductions related to bad debt will be eliminated.

Section 19 – Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Adjustments

• Limits the total enterprise zone tax credit claimable per taxpayer to $2 million.
• Restricts eligibility for taxpayers involved in:
• Oil and gas extraction
• Hard rock mining
• Aviation
• Retail fuel sales
• Wireless telecommunications facility construction
• Provides a waiver process for exceeding the $2M limit if investment and job creation justify it.

Taxation & Finance

Dylan Peper

This bill requires that an employer or the employer’s insurer use CDLE's utilization standards when responding to a request for authorization from a treating physician. If the employer or insurer fails to act in accordance with the standards, the division may deem the physician’s services as reasonable and necessary, and require payment for the services by the employer or the employer’s insurer. Additionally the bill requires an employer or insurer to bear the burden of proving that medical treatment recommended by an authorized physician is not reasonable, necessary, or related to the industry, rather than the burden being on the claimant. The bill also repeals the requirement that an employer provide a list of health care providers from which an injured worker may select to attend to an injury, and repeals the related provisions
with respect to geographic location of providers and requirements when the employer is a health care provider that could treat the injury “in house.” Instead, this bill requires that, within seven days of being notified of a workplace injury, an employer or insurer notify the injured employee of the employee’s right to designate a treating physician and where to access the list of Level I and Level II accredited physicians maintained by the CDLE. If the employee fails to designate a primary physician, the employer or insurer may select from the list of accredited physicians.

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

The bill creates the Crash Prevention Enterprise to provide funding for transportation system infrastructure improvements that reduce the number of collisions between motor vehicles and vulnerable road users or wildlife. The Transportation Commission serves as the board for the enterprise. Beginning January 1, 2026, the enterprise imposes a crash prevention fee on the policyholder of each automobile insurance policy issued in the state, to be collected by the insurer and remitted to the enterprise. The bill sets the fee at $1.75 through June 30 of 2026, $3.50 for FY 2026-27, and adjusts the fee for inflation in subsequent fiscal years. The Division of Insurance will notify any insurers that fail to collect fees from policyholders of the fee requirement, and may institute an enforcement proceeding and seek civil penalties if an insurer fails to pay their fees within 15 days of receiving a notice. The enterprise may spend up to 80 percent of its funds on grants to eligible entities—including local governments, tribes, and other public or private entities—for eligible projects that reduce collisions between vehicles and vulnerable road users. It may spend up to 20 percent on grants for projects that reduce wildlife collisions while facilitating wildlife migration and movement. Grant must be at least $250,000 and may be used as matching money for federal funds or in combination with other state sources of transportation infrastructure funding. The bill outlines how the enterprise should prioritize awarding grants and what the enterprise must take into consideration.

Transportation & Telecommunications

Meghan MacKillop

In 2019, Colorado voters approved a 10% tax on net sports betting proceeds. “Net proceeds” means the amount a sports betting operator earns after subtracting certain expenses. Under current law, operators are allowed to deduct three main things: payments to players, federal excise taxes, and a portion of the free promotional bets they issue to attract and retain customers.

This bill makes a change to that calculation. Starting September 1, 2025, operators will no longer be allowed to deduct any value of free bets from their taxable revenue. The deductions for player payouts and federal taxes will remain, but the promotional free bets will be fully taxable.

Taxation & Finance

Dylan Peper

House Bill 25-1315, as amended, changes how legislative vacancies in the Colorado General Assembly are filled and alters the structure and operation of political party vacancy committees. The bill expands the number of precinct committeepersons elected during caucuses from two to four. However, newly appointed precinct committeepersons must wait at least ninety-one days before they can participate in filling a legislative vacancy, limiting last-minute appointments meant to influence vacancy decisions.

The bill requires that if a vacancy occurs in the state House or Senate, and the respective central committee fails to appoint a vacancy committee, the default vacancy committee must now include not only the central committee members but also any county commissioners residing in the district who are members of the same political party. This expansion significantly increases the role of county officials in the political appointment process.

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

The bill creates a new type of vacancy election for county commissioner vacancies that occur in a county with a population of at least 50,000 and the commissioner is affiliated with a major political party. If a vacancy occurs after July 31 of an even-numbered year, and before July 31 of an odd-numbered year, a vacancy committee selects a candidate to serve until the next odd-year November election. A vacancy election is then held as a part of the district’s odd-year November coordinated election. Only unaffiliated voters and voters affiliated with the vacating commissioner’s political party may vote in the vacancy election, unless the political party votes to open the election to all voters. Candidates for the vacancy election are required to submit a nominating statement and signed petition to their county clerk. The winner of the vacancy election serves until the next November General Election. Candidates in vacancy election are subject to campaign finance limitations and required election disclosures.

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

Seeks to clarify that the Division of Parks & Wildlife (CPW) is the lead among the state agencies for coordinating recreation infrastructure, safety, planning, etc., and to provide capacity for CPW to better uplift regional goals balancing conservation with outdoor recreation. The bill directs CPW to continue collaborating with stakeholders through regional partnerships, to establish its trails program in statute, and to create a river recreation program for the state.

This was meant to be a companion to the Colorado Outdoor Strategy, set to come out later this month. The bill has been postponed indefinitely with the expectation that the Department of Natural Resources will reconvene and, should they choose to bring the bill back, host much more extensive stakeholder meetings over the interim.

Tourism, Resorts, & Economic Development

Reagan Shane

The State Board of Land Commissioners serves as the trustee for lands granted to the state in public trust for the support of public schools. The State Land Board (SLB) is constitutionally required to manage state trust lands for the benefit of public schools and other beneficiaries and to comply with all local land use regulations. The bill requires the Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to convene a state trust lands conservation and recreation work group to study opportunities to advance conservation and recreation activities on state trust lands as part of the SLB’s long-term stewardship of such lands, while maintaining its fiduciary responsibilities. By July 1, 2026, the work group must make recommendations to the SLB, Governor, General Assembly, and Executive Director of DNR based on the study. By December 15, 2026, the SLB is required to consider the work group’s recommendations and to adopt an administrative policy or rules to establish a process for SLB implementation of conservation leases.

CCI pursued and secured amendments to add a third agriculture representative and an affordable housing representative to the work group.

Agriculture, Wildlife, & Rural Affairs

Reagan Shane

Land Use & Natural Resources

Reagan Shane

SB25-001 implements provisions of the Federal Voting Rights Act at the state level and adds substantial new components, prohibiting actions that create or intend to create disparities in voter participation, access, or political engagement for protected classes. It bans election methods (including the structure of offices, qualifications for office, and voting methods) that dilute these groups' influence and bars voting qualifications based on gender identity or expression. The bill allows individuals or organizations to file civil suits alleging voter suppression or discrimination, with the Attorney General empowered to investigate or intervene. It requires state-funded disability service providers to display voting notices before elections, mandates multilingual ballots for counties and municipalities, and establishes a statewide election database to collect and maintain election-related data, requiring municipalities and counties to submit post-election information.

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

Directs the State Housing Board and the associated Technical Advisory Committee to promulgate rules outlining regional building codes accounting for local climatic and geographic conditions for the construction and installation of factory-built structures (modular) by July 1, 2026. Allows local governments to be certified by the Division of Housing (DOH) to perform modular inspections on behalf of DOH, and allows DOH to contract for third-party review and approval of design plans for such structures. Clarifies that after rules are adopted across structures under the Housing Board’s jurisdiction, the State Plumbing Board, State Electrical Board, and State Fire Suppression Administrator do not have jurisdiction and their rules do not apply. Lastly, prohibits a county from imposing MORE restrictive standards on factory-built structures than on site-built homes in the same residential zones.

A flowchart on SB-002 is available here: https://shorturl.at/y8jOe

Current county authority over modular housing is limited to specific requirements meant to address local climate and geographic conditions. CCI has sought and secured the following amendments: increase local government representation on the TAC; explicitly prioritize public safety in the development of codes; clarify that the “highest common denominator” of existing local requirements will be adopted; require a report on the draft recommendations before the General Assembly prior to consideration by the State Housing Board; remove references treating manufactured and modular housing the same; and remove the study (the study has been replaced with a report on coordination).

Land Use & Natural Resources

Reagan Shane

Prohibits the manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale, or purchase of certain semiautomatic firearms. Establishes a process for a person that has completed certain firearm-related courses to acquire firearms otherwise prohibited by the bill. Specifically, sheriffs must authorize a person to take these classes after completion of a fingerprint-based background check, and then Colorado Parks and Wildlife verifies that required educational classes have been completed.

Justice & Public Safety

Kevin Neimond

This bill allows Colorado's State Treasurer to invest up to $50 million in bonds issued by quasi-governmental entities to support affordable housing development. These investments, which can have below-market rates, focus on projects that promote affordable homeownership, supporting workforce stability and wealth creation. The funds from these investments can be reinvested to sustain the program, ensuring alignment with the treasurer’s investment policies and risk guidelines. This initiative aims to fill gaps in housing affordability and availability across the state.

Taxation & Finance

Dylan Peper

Requires the Wildfire Information and Resource Center website to include hyperlinks to websites that display emergency information and wildfire updates for each county in Colorado and requires the Division of Fire Prevention and Control to coordinate with county governments in order to provide the hyperlinks.

Justice & Public Safety

Kevin Neimond

Senate Bill 25-018 directs the Colorado Department of Revenue to allow online searches for sales and use tax licenses and exemption certificates using the licensee's or certificate holder's name and identification number. This enhances accessibility and transparency in tax-related information. 

Taxation & Finance

Dylan Peper

The bill allows the use of either the most recent version, or a prior version, of the National Geodetic Survey’s state plane coordinate system to state geographic positions or locations within Colorado. The bill does not prohibit use of the Colorado coordinate system of 1927 or 1983.

Transportation & Telecommunications

Meghan MacKillop

Grants local governments the authority to seek damages from landlords allowing buildings to fall into disrepair and allows local governments to apply to a district court for the appointment of a receiver to operate a residential property. Also generally strengthens the attorney general’s power to initiate legal actions to enforce state landlord-tenant laws around habitability.

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

Senate Bill 25-023 increases the revenue and expenditure thresholds for local governments to qualify for audit exemptions. Effective January 1, 2025, the lower threshold rises from $100,000 to $200,000, and the upper threshold increases from $750,000 to $1,000,000. This adjustment aligns with federal standards and accounts for inflation, reducing the audit burden on smaller local governments.

Taxation & Finance

Dylan Peper

Increases the number of district court judges and county court judges in numerous districts and counties. Additionally, the number of judges serving on the court of appeals. Finally, allows the district court judges assigned to Arapahoe county to maintain offices outside of the county seat.

Justice & Public Safety

Kevin Neimond

Approved by the Transportation Legislation Review Committee, this bill requires the Department of Transportation to present a statewide mode choice assessment by October 31, 2025, outlining recommendations for transportation targets through 2050. These targets aim to increase the share of trips completed using biking, carpooling, public transit, walking, or single-occupancy vehicles. By June 1, 2026, the department must adopt rules to formalize these targets, reassessing them before each statewide transportation plan cycle. Additionally, the bill mandates that by December 31, 2026, and every five years thereafter, transportation authorities—including metropolitan planning organizations, transit providers, and local governments with populations over 25,000—prepare mode choice implementation plans. These plans must include strategies to meet mode choice targets, multimodal transportation gap analyses, and greenhouse gas emission reduction projections. To support these efforts, the bill allows the use of grants and multimodal transportation funds for plan development. It also requires progress reports every three years to monitor implementation.

Transportation & Telecommunications

Meghan MacKillop

Creates a single point of contact for emergency alert systems and expands the scope of the Colorado Broadband Office to include access to wireless service.

Justice & Public Safety

Kevin Neimond

Requires the executive director of the Department of Labor & Employment to annually expend money credited to the local government severance tax fund in the following manner: (1) for the loss of property tax revenue resulting from the deduction of severance taxes paid in the valuation for assessment of producing mines, or incurred by coal transition communities created due to the closure of coal-fires power plants; (2) for grants to communities socially or economically impacted by development of minerals subject to severance taxation and used for public facilities and public services; and (3) for annual distribution based on community needs, as determined in consultation with local government associations.

Currently, 70% of the money credited to the local government severance tax fund must be distributed to political subdivisions that are socially or economically impacted by the development, processing, or energy conversion of minerals and mineral fuels subject to taxation and used for the planning, construction, and maintenance of public facilities and for the provision of public services, and to compensate political subdivisions for loss of property tax revenue resulting from the deduction of severance taxes paid in the determination of the valuation for assessment of producing mines. 

Taxation & Finance

Dylan Peper

Senate Bill 25-040 establishes a task force to study the future of severance taxes and water funding in Colorado amid declining severance tax revenue. A third party will conduct the study, and the task force will review and contribute to the findings. A final report with recommendations is due by July 2026 and will be presented during the legislative interim. 

Taxation & Finance

Dylan Peper

Clarifies what courts must consider when setting bail for a defendant declared incompetent to proceed and allows the defendant to receive inpatient services from the Colorado Department of Human Services for additional time after charges are dropped.

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

Makes various changes regarding justice-involved youths, including to the Youthful Offender System, the juvenile competency process, presentence credits, and creates a new grant program to implement a mixed-delivery system of trauma-informed health and development deflection programs for youth.

Justice & Public Safety

Kevin Neimond

Senate Bill 25-046 establishes uniform confidentiality standards for taxpayer information during local sales and use tax investigations conducted by third-party auditors. It restricts unauthorized disclosure of taxpayer data, with specific exceptions such as providing information to authorized officials or the taxpayer. Violations result in penalties. The bill also clarifies the Colorado Department of Revenue's authority to share taxpayer information with local governments to facilitate coordination and dispute resolution.

Taxation & Finance

Dylan Peper

Allows a police officer, local official, or local government employee to cooperate federal officials regarding the immigration status of a person within the state. Additionally, allows a peace officer who has probable cause to believe that a person is not legally present in the United States to report the person to the federal immigration and customs enforcement office. Finally, repeals the law that State and local governmental entities are barred from contracting with a private entity for immigration detention services or entering into agreements for immigration detention services.

Justice & Public Safety

Kevin Neimond

Effective September 1, 2025, the bill requires a form issued by the state or a local government that requests that the individual completing the form disclose the individual's race or ethnicity to include, in addition to spaces for any other racial or ethnic categories required by the federal office of management and budget, a space to indicate if the individual's race or ethnicity is Middle Eastern, North African, or South Asian.

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

The bill proposes expanding the definition of obstructing government operations to include the repeated, unjustifiable contacting of public safety emergency call centers or entities after a warning has been issued. This expansion aims to address the misuse of emergency services, ensuring that resources are available for genuine emergencies.

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

The bill addresses the applicability of state laws to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and its reservation by establishing that, unless explicitly stated, Colorado laws are presumed not to apply to the Tribe, its members, tribally controlled entities, or their lands within the reservation. The bill clarifies that state laws do apply to non-Indians and their conduct on lands within the reservation where the Tribe or its entities hold no interest, as well as to both Indians and non-Indians within municipalities located entirely within the reservation. The bill also emphasizes that it does not limit the Tribe's authority to consent to the application of state laws, nor does it abrogate the sovereign immunity of either the state or the Tribe. Additionally, it preserves the rights of all parties to pursue legal remedies regarding the application of state laws.

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

The bill amends the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) by excluding assistive communication records from the definition of a "public record" and extending response times for most requests from 3 to 5 working days, with possible extensions up to 10 days. It requires public entities to post CORA-related policies and procedures and mandates that custodians provide available records within the response period when the responsible party is unavailable. The bill also allows custodians to flag and charge for requests made for business solicitation, strengthens protections for student information, clarifies fee prepayment requirements, and ensures electronic payment options for public records requests. Additionally, it permits combining similar requests within 14 days for fee calculations.

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

Establishes the Building Urgent Infrastructure and Leveraging Dollars (BUILD) Authority and creates a public financing mechanism to fund the development, construction, repair, improvement, operation, maintenance, decommissioning, or ownership of infrastructure projects.

Justice & Public Safety

Kevin Neimond

Current law tasks the executive director of the Department of Early Childhood with adopting all rules for the administration of the Department and executing and administering the Department’s programs and services. This bill repeals duties from the executive director, creates the State Board of Early Childhood Services, and tasks with Board with all regulatory and administrative functions for the Department. Additionally, the bill removes the allowance for Local Coordinating Organizations (LCOs) to participate in the Colorado Universal Preschool Program and instead tasks LCOs with continuing to support families who apply for early childhood and family support programs and services, coordinating with county departments and tribal agencies, and working with early child care providers to increase recruitment and retention of individuals in the early child care workforce. Finally, requires the Department to modify the unified application to give administrative access to a preschool provider who participates in the program to help families enroll their children in the program.

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

Drafted by the Uniform Law Commission, the bill repeals the "Uniform Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Act" and enacts the "Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Protective Arrangements Act"

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

Adds one additional county representative to the Wildfire Resiliency Code Board, removes the Board's ability to define the wildland-urban interface and instead defines it in statute, and requires each county to approve and submit to the Board a wildland-urban interface map. Additionally, requires the Board to adopt minimum codes and standards related to wildfire resiliency after receiving a wildland-urban interface map from every county. Indicates that governing bodies, like counties, have one year from the Board's adoption of the minimum codes and standards to adopt the codes. 

Justice & Public Safety

Kevin Neimond

This bill proposes several modifications to the management of the Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) by its Board of Trustees, including ensuring that board meetings are subject to Colorado open meetings laws establishing term limits for both elected and appointed board members, and creating financial transparency requirements.

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

The bill proposes several modifications to Colorado's campaign finance regulations under the "Fair Campaign Practices Act." Key provisions include: a year-round prohibition on registered lobbyists from contributing to political campaigns, an expansion of the definition of "electioneering communication", modifying disclosure and reporting requirements for political donations and contributions, and increased transparency for political action committees. 

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

Defines an equestrian zone as an area that a local government determines is suburban or urbans and allows a local government to identify such zones; also outlines suggested infrastructure and signage in such zones. The bill also allows local governments to organize public educational events and implements requirements for drivers of motor vehicles and for equestrian riders.

View the planned amendment here: https://shorturl.at/mqtTb

Tourism, Resorts, & Economic Development

Reagan Shane

Creates the Fostering Success Pilot Program in the Department of Human Services. The Program has two components. First, it creates the Supplemental Support for Foster Students Program which awards $2,000 scholarships annually to a foster care provider, kinship foster care provider, or a non-certified kinship care provider who cares for a youth in the legal custody of a county department of human or social services until the youth graduates from high school. Second, it creates the Milestone Incentives Program which awards $1,000 to a youth for successfully graduating from high school.

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

Implements recommendations from the Timothy Montoya Task Force To Prevent Children From

Running Away From Out-Of-Home Placement, including requiring the Child Protection Ombudsman to develop a run away risk assessment and prediction tool, collect run away data, and conduct a survey of the physical infrastructure of facilities. Additionally, the bill requires a facility to notify the child’s or youth’s parent, legal guardian, or custodian within 24 hours after discovering the child or youth is missing from its care

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

This bill aims to reduce state regulation in several state agencies. The bill prohibits state agencies from imposing personal qualification requirements for professions or occupations unless they can prove that such requirements are necessary and narrowly tailored to address a legitimate public health, safety, or welfare concern. By July 1, 2026, agencies must review and determine whether existing occupational regulations should be repealed or amended. The bill also repeals several energy and environment regulatory programs, including the industrial and manufacturing clean air grant program, cannabis resource optimization cash fund, community electric bicycle access program, and school bus electrification grant program. It also eliminates the Energy Code Board, model energy codes, and multiple grant programs created by House Bill 22-1362; repeals the Air Quality Enterprise, created by Senate Bill 20-204; ends certain air quality control penalties established by Senate Bill 20-218; and repeals air toxics fenceline and community-based monitoring requirements for covered facilities, established by House Bill 21-1189.

General Government

Meghan MacKillop

Senate Bill 25-161 proposes comprehensive reforms for Colorado’s Regional Transportation District (RTD), focusing on service expansion, climate goals, and operational transparency. Key provisions include authorizing RTD to form service partnerships with local governments and institutions, developing a 10-year strategic plan and regular operational analyses, increasing public access to service data, enhancing worker retention and safety, and aligning with statewide greenhouse gas reduction targets. It also creates an RTD Accountability Committee and adds nonvoting members to the RTD board.

Transportation & Telecommunications

Meghan MacKillop

Senate Bill 25-162 establishes the Office of Rail Safety within the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC), granting it exclusive jurisdiction over railroad safety inspections, investigations, and regulatory enforcement statewide. The bill requires railroads operating in Colorado to fund regulatory activities through fees and ensures that the PUC adopts and enforces federal and state railroad safety standards. The PUC is granted sole regulatory authority over railroad safety, preempting any conflicting local regulations and establishing a consistent statewide safety framework.  Railroads must immediately notify local emergency services and the PUC in the event of accidents, hazardous material spills, or other emergencies. The bill outlines detailed requirements for emergency response coordination. Railroad workers are provided civil liability immunity when acting in good faith during emergencies, such as assisting with evacuations or emergency response efforts. Railroads are required to cover the costs of safety inspections, investigations, and regulatory programs through fees assessed by the PUC, ensuring adequate funding for safety oversight Emphasis is placed on preventing and responding to hazardous material incidents, including regular inspections of railcars transporting such materials, emergency response planning, and environmental mitigation efforts.

Transportation & Telecommunications

Meghan MacKillop

Creates a battery stewardship program for battery producers and distributors in the state. Covered batteries include “a portable battery, a medium-format battery, or any battery sold loose or as an easily removable battery within a battery-containing product or motorized device” (but not including EV/car or built-in batteries). Beginning July 1, 2028, retailers must participate in a battery stewardship organization with an approved plan that details – among other things – how they will arrange for the collection of certain batteries by establishing collection sites. Beginning January 1, 2029, a person is required to manage certain batteries through delivery to a collection site rather than disposing of them in a landfill.

More information is available here: https://shorturl.at/xxeoK

Land Use & Natural Resources

Reagan Shane

The Just Transition Advisory Committee created the Draft Colorado Transition Plan and supports the Office of Just Transition; it includes county representatives. The committee is set to be repealed on September 1, 2025, according to the original sunset clause. This bill removes the sunset date and allows the committee to continue.

The bill has been amended to require the Office of Just Transition to “regularly consult with the” JTAC, and to “develop and implement plans to maximize the economic stability and prosperity of coal workers and communities through a variety of strategies,” with “strong consideration” given to JTAC strategy recommendations.

Tourism, Resorts, & Economic Development

Reagan Shane

This bill creates a new tax exemption aimed at supporting regional transportation authorities. It allows contractors and subcontractors to avoid paying sales tax when they buy construction or building materials that will be used to build, renovate, or repair facilities specifically meant to house employees or contractors working for a regional transportation authority.

It also includes a use tax exemption for those same materials—meaning there’s no tax when the materials are stored, used, or consumed for these projects.

Finally, the bill gives the transportation authority—or its board—the explicit ability to construct or modify these types of facilities to support their workforce.

Taxation & Finance

Dylan Peper

The bill modifies current state immigration law regarding compliance by political subdivisions, engagement with federal immigration authorities, court petitions, affidavits, and consumer protections.

Justice & Public Safety

Kevin Neimond

Updates the ongoing schedule of annual fees imposed on retail food establishments. These fees are imposed to cover the cost of required health and safety inspections under current law.

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

Delays the change from the Medicaid fee-for-service structure to the Medicaid managed care structure until July 1, 2026 for children and youth who are in a qualified residential treatment program or a psychiatric residential treatment facility and in the care and custody of a county. Additionally, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, in conjunction with stakeholders, must develop polices for this change by December 1, 2025 and implement the policies no later than July 1, 2026.

Health & Human Services

Kevin Neimond

Justice & Public Safety

Kevin Neimond