Bill Tracker

The proposed bill, HB25-1048, aims to enhance transparency and accessibility of state financial programs in Colorado by establishing an online database managed by the Department of Revenue. This database would include information on all qualifying state tax expenditures and state grant opportunities. A qualifying state tax expenditure is defined as any state tax expenditure for which at least one of the following applies:

• A limited amount of dollars or credits is available.
• A discretionary determination made by a state agency is necessary to qualify.
• A person must submit an application to and receive a certificate or other designation of approval from a state agency to qualify.

The bill mandates that the database be created by December 31, 2026, and reviewed and updated on an annual basis. 

State Tax Expenditure and Grant Database - FAILED

Legislative Oversight Committee Concerning Tax Policy. The
bill creates an online database managed by the department of revenue that
includes information on all qualifying state tax expenditures and state
grant opportunities. A state grant opportunity is any grant funded by state
money or administered by the state. A qualifying state tax expenditure is
any state tax expenditure for which at least one of the following applies:
  • A limited amount of dollars or credits is available;
  • To qualify for the tax expenditure, a discretionary
determination made by a state agency is necessary; or
  • To qualify for the tax expenditure, a person must submit an
application to and receive a certificate or other designation
of approval from a state agency.
The database must be created by December 31, 2026, and must be
reviewed and updated on an annual basis.

• January 27, 2025: House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee Report

The proposed legislation aims to modify the state's financial interactions with nonprofit organizations by implementing two key changes:

1. Prompt Payment Requirement: Currently, the state is obligated to settle liabilities within 45 days upon receiving a correct notice of the incurred liability. The bill proposes that this 45-day payment period should commence either upon receipt of a correct notice or when a good faith effort to provide such notice is demonstrated. This adjustment ensures that nonprofits are not unduly penalized for minor administrative oversights, facilitating more timely payments.

2. Advance Retainer for Nonprofit Contracts and Grants: State agencies typically reimburse nonprofits after expenses have been incurred. To alleviate the financial strain this can place on nonprofits, especially smaller ones with limited cash flow, the bill mandates that state agencies provide an upfront retainer of at least 35% of the total grant amount or the first year's contract disbursement. This retainer must be utilized within one year for expenses directly related to the specified grant or contract, offering nonprofits greater financial stability and capacity to initiate projects without delay.

Additionally, the bill requires nonprofits receiving state funds to disclose information regarding their leadership's ethnicity, organizational structure, and prior state funding history. This measure aims to enhance transparency and ensure equitable distribution of state resources among diverse organizations.

By implementing these changes, the legislation seeks to support nonprofits in managing their finances more effectively, enabling them to focus on delivering services and fulfilling their missions without the added burden of financial uncertainty.

State Disbursement Process

Currently, the controller is required to adopt fiscal rules requiring
the state to make disbursements in the payment of any liability incurred
on behalf of the executive branch of the state within 45 days of receiving
a correct notice that this liability was incurred. The bill modifies this
requirement so that either a correct notice of the state's liability or a
demonstration of a good faith effort to provide a correct notice of the
state's liability initiates the 45-day period.
A state agency that awards a grant generally requires the grant
recipient to access the grant amount awarded by applying for the
reimbursement of costs incurred in completing the activity for which the
state agency awarded the grant. The bill directs the controller to adopt
fiscal rules requiring a state agency to award a nonprofit organization a
retainer when entering into a contract with or awarding a grant to a
nonprofit organization. The retainer amount must equal at least 35% of
the grant amount or 35% of the amount to be disbursed by the state to the
nonprofit organization in the first year of a contract between the state and
the nonprofit organization. A nonprofit organization is required to spend
the retainer amount within a year of the state awarding the grant to or
entering into the contract with the nonprofit organization. A nonprofit
organization may only expend a retainer on expenses the nonprofit
organization incurs in connection with the relevant grant or contract.
The bill also requires a nonprofit organization that receives
disbursements from the state to provide the following information to the
controller and requires the controller to make that information available
upon request:
  • The ethnicity of the nonprofit organization's leadership;
  • The business structure of the nonprofit organization; and
  • Whether the nonprofit organization has previously received
a disbursement from the state.

• February 10, 2025: House Finance Committee Report

The bill creates a new category of lobbyist called nonprofit lobbyists, which is intended to recognize the distinct role of individuals employed by nonprofit organizations for lobbying purposes. Here are the key points of the bill:

1. Nonprofit Lobbyists: These lobbyists are employed exclusively by a single nonprofit entity and engage in lobbying as an incidental part of their duties.

2. Exemptions for Nonprofit Lobbyists: Nonprofit lobbyists are exempt from the registration and disclosure statement requirements that apply to professional lobbyists, provided they meet certain criteria.

3. Lobbying Time Limitations: A nonprofit entity may use a nonprofit lobbyist for a maximum of 30 days in a state fiscal year. Of these, no more than 20 days may occur during the legislative session of the General Assembly.

4. Reporting Requirements:

   • Nonprofit entities must report to the secretary of state within 72 hours after the nonprofit lobbyist engages in lobbying activities. The report must include:
     • Name of the nonprofit lobbyist.
     • Name of the nonprofit entity.
     • Date of lobbying activity.
     • Legislative matters lobbied on.
     • Bill numbers and the nonprofit entity’s position on the bills (support, oppose, amend, or monitor).

5. Transition to Professional Lobbyist:

   • If a nonprofit lobbyist no longer qualifies (e.g., they exceed the time limits or no longer meet the criteria), or if their nonprofit entity fails to comply with the rules, the individual must register as a professional lobbyist and comply with the full requirements of a professional lobbyist.

This bill aims to streamline lobbying regulations for nonprofits while maintaining transparency, especially regarding the lobbying activities of nonprofit organizations at the state level.

Lobbying by Nonprofit Entities

Currently, a lobbyist may be either a professional lobbyist or a
volunteer lobbyist. A professional lobbyist must register with the
secretary of state before conducting lobbying activities with one or more
covered officials. For each month in which a professional lobbyist lobbies
one or more covered officials, a professional lobbyist must complete and
submit a disclosure statement to the secretary of state.
The bill creates a new category of lobbyist for nonprofit lobbyists
and exempts nonprofit lobbyists from the registration and disclosure
statement requirements for professional lobbyists. A nonprofit lobbyist is
a lobbyist who is exclusively employed by a single nonprofit entity and
who lobbies as an incidental part of the lobbyist's duties with the
nonprofit entity. A nonprofit entity may use a nonprofit lobbyist to lobby
a maximum of 30 days during a state fiscal year, with a maximum of 20
of those days occurring when the general assembly is in session. A
nonprofit entity that employs a nonprofit lobbyist must report to the
secretary of state the following information within 72 hours of engaging
in lobbying of one or more covered officials:
  • The name of the nonprofit lobbyist;
  • The full legal name of the nonprofit entity on whose behalf
the nonprofit lobbyist lobbied;
  • The date on which the nonprofit lobbyist engaged in
lobbying;
  • Any matter about which the nonprofit lobbyist lobbied for
the reported day; and
  • The bill number of the legislation about which each
nonprofit lobbyist lobbied for the reported day and whether
the nonprofit entity is supporting, opposing, requesting
amendments, or monitoring the legislation.
A nonprofit entity may submit a single form for more than one nonprofit
lobbyist if more than one nonprofit lobbyist lobbied for the nonprofit
entity on the same day.
A lobbyist who was a nonprofit lobbyist but no longer qualifies as
a nonprofit lobbyist or who is employed by a nonprofit entity that does
not comply with the timing limitations, and who meets the requirements
of a professional lobbyist, must register and file disclosure statements
with the secretary of state beginning in the month in which the lobbyist
first lobbied as a professional lobbyist and must comply with the
regulations imposed on a professional lobbyist.

• March 03, 2025: House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee Report

The bill refers two ballot issues to voters in the November 2025 statewide election, both related to funding the Healthy School Meals for All program.

Ballot Issue 1 (Section 2): State Revenue Retention & Proposition FF Adjustments

This ballot issue asks voters whether the state can retain and spend revenue that exceeds the estimate in Proposition FF rather than refunding it.

• If voters reject the measure:

  • The state must refund $26,265,621 to individuals with a federal taxable income of $300,000 or more who claimed itemized or standard state deductions above:
    • $12,000 for single filers
    • $16,000 for joint filers
  • The state must adjust the limit on itemized deductions to ensure income tax revenue is reduced by $26,265,621.

• If voters approve the measure:

  • The state will not issue the refund of $26,265,621.
  • The increases in federal taxable income under Proposition FF remain unchanged.

Ballot Issue 2 (Section 3): Tax Increase for School Meals Program

This ballot issue asks voters whether the state can increase taxes by $95 million annually by adjusting state taxable income to fund the Healthy School Meals for All program.

• If voters approve the measure:

  • Income tax deductions for individuals with federal taxable income of $300,000 or more are reduced to:
    • $1,000 for single filers
    • $2,000 for joint filers
  • The additional revenue generated from the reduction in deductions will be allocated to the Healthy School Meals for All program.

• If voters reject the measure:

  • Income tax deductions will remain at their current levels.

Additional Changes Based on Ballot Outcomes

The bill also modifies the Healthy School Meals for All program based on the results of these ballot issues.

• If Ballot Issue 2 is approved and Ballot Issue 3 is rejected:

  • $1 million is transferred annually from the Healthy School Meals fund to local school food purchasing programs.

• If Ballot Issue 3 is approved (regardless of Ballot Issue 2 outcome):

  • Local food purchasing grants will have modified distribution rules.
  • School food authorities may collaborate to form advisory committees.
  • The roles and responsibilities of advisory committees will be clarified.
  • The way funds are distributed for:
    • Increasing wages for school food service workers.
    • Providing stipends for workers who prepare and serve school meals.
    • Local food purchasing technical assistance and education grants—will be modified based on fund availability.

Healthy School Meals for All

The bill refers 2 ballot issues to the voters at the November 2025
statewide election concerning funding for the healthy school meals for all
program.
Section 2 of the bill refers a ballot issue to the voters at the
November 2025 statewide election to allow the state to retain and spend
state revenue that would otherwise need to be refunded for exceeding the
estimate in the ballot information booklet analysis for Proposition FF and
to allow the state to maintain the increases in state taxable income
established in Proposition FF that would otherwise need to be decreased.
If voters reject the ballot issue, the state will both:
  • Refund $26,265,621 to individuals who have a federal
taxable income of $300,000 or more and claimed itemized
or standard state income tax deductions greater than
$12,000 for single tax return filers and $16,000 for joint tax
return filers; and
  • Adjust the limit on itemized deductions established in
Proposition FF to a level that would have reduced the
amount of income tax revenue attributable to these
itemized deductions by $26,265,621.
If voters approve the ballot measure:
  • The state will not refund $26,265,621 to individuals who
have a federal taxable income of $300,000 or more and
claimed itemized or standard state income tax deductions
greater than $12,000 for single tax return filers and $16,000
for joint tax return filers; and
  • The increases in federal taxable income as a result of
Proposition FF will stay at the levels established by
Proposition FF.
Section 3 refers a ballot issue to the voters at the November 2025
statewide election to allow the state to increase taxes by $95 million
annually by increasing state taxable income to support the healthy school
meals for all program. If voters approve the ballot issue:
  • Income tax deductions for individuals who have a federal
taxable income of $300,000 or more will be reduced from
current levels to $1,000 for single filers and $2,000 for
joint filers; and
  • The state will allocate the additional revenue generated by
the reduction in income tax deductions to the healthy
school meals for all program.
If voters reject the ballot issue, income tax deductions will not be
reduced.
In addition to the income tax changes and potential refunds that
may result from voters approving or rejecting the ballot issues described
in sections 2 and 3, the bill also changes the healthy school meals for all
program cash fund (fund) and healthy school meals for all programs. If
voters approve the ballot issue submitted pursuant to section 2 and reject
the ballot issue submitted pursuant to section 3, $1 million is transferred
annually from the fund to local school food purchasing programs. If
voters approve the ballot issue submitted pursuant to section 3, regardless
of whether the voters approve the ballot issue submitted pursuant to
section 2:
  • The permissible distribution of local food purchasing
grants is modified;
  • Certain school food authorities are allowed to collaborate
to implement advisory committees;
  • The duties of an advisory committee are clarified; and
  • The distribution of funds from the fund is changed so that
the amounts distributed through local food purchasing
grants for increasing wages or providing stipends for
individuals whom the participating school food authority
employs to directly prepare and serve food for school meals
and through the local school food purchasing technical
assistance and education grant program are modified based
on the amount of money in the fund.

• March 10, 2025: House Finance Committee Report
• March 06, 2025: House Education Committee Report

This bill introduces regulations on payment card networks to prevent unfair swipe fees and protect merchants and consumers from excessive or deceptive credit card transaction fees.

A payment card network CANNOT:

1. Fix or conspire to fix interchange fees with a credit card issuer or another payment network.
2. Establish a fee schedule that a credit card issuer has previously used to determine interchange fees.
3. Charge an interchange fee that includes a percentage of a transaction's total amount unless:
   • The fee excludes amounts attributable to taxes or gratuities.
   • Fees are not increased in a way that circumvents this rule.
4. Force merchants to accept all credit cards from a particular issuer if they accept some credit cards from that issuer.
5. Use data from electronic transactions unless in specific permitted circumstances.
6. Charge fees on disputed transactions until the dispute is resolved and the consumer or merchant receives written notice of the decision.
7. Penalize merchants for setting prices in compliance with state and federal law.

A payment card network CANNOT impose a high interchange fee on charitable donations. The maximum fees allowed:

• Debit card transactions: 0.2% of the donation amount.
• Credit card transactions: 0.3% of the donation amount.

• Merchants, consumers, or any entity injured by a violation of the act.

A payment card network found guilty of violating the act must pay the greater of:

• Actual damages sustained + interest OR $500.
• If bad faith is proven: 3 times the actual damages.
• Plus: Legal costs and attorney fees.

• Successful plaintiffs may recover:
  • Actual damages
  • Injunctive relief (court orders to stop illegal practices)
  • Reasonable attorney fees and costs

• Protects merchants & consumers from unfair swipe fees and pricing practices by payment card networks.
• Restricts excessive fees on charitable donations.
• Prevents forced acceptance of all cards from a single issuer.
• Requires fair dispute resolution before imposing fees.
• Allows legal action against payment card networks for violations, with significant penalties for bad-faith conduct.

CC fees

The bill enacts the Swipe Fee Fairness and Consumer Safeguards
Act (act), which prohibits a payment card network from:
  • Fixing or conspiring to fix an interchange fee with, or on
behalf of, a covered credit card issuer or another payment
card network;
  • Establishing, putting forward, or implementing a fee
schedule that the payment card network knows, or
reasonably should know, has been used by a covered credit
card issuer other than the payment card network to
determine the amount of an interchange fee charged or
received by the covered credit card issuer in the current or
previous calendar year;
  • Establishing, charging, or putting forward on a fee
schedule an interchange fee if the fee includes a percentage
multiplied by the amount of a transaction and the fee does
not exclude any amount attributable to a tax or gratuity on
the transaction, or increasing fees in an attempt to or in a
manner that would circumvent such interchange fee
prohibition;
  • Requiring a merchant that accepts credit cards that are
enabled for processing over the payment card network to
accept all credit cards issued by a covered credit card issuer
that are enabled for processing over the payment card
network;
  • Distributing, publishing, or otherwise using data from an
electronic payment transaction, except in certain
circumstances;
  • Charging a fee to a consumer or merchant related to a
disputed credit card transaction until the dispute has been
resolved and the consumer or merchant has been provided
written notice of the determination; or
  • Imposing a penalty on a merchant for setting prices in a
manner that complies with state and federal law.
The bill prohibits a payment card network from establishing,
putting forward, or implementing a fee schedule that the payment card
network knows or reasonably should know has been used by one or more
issuers other than the payment card network to determine the amount of
an interchange fee received or charged in respect to a charitable
contribution, unless the interchange fee does not exceed:
  • 0.2% of the amount of a charitable contribution made by
means of a debit card; or
  • 0.3% of the amount of a charitable contribution made by
means of a credit card.
If a payment card network violates the act, a merchant, consumer,
or other individual or entity that is injured as a result may bring a civil
action. A payment card network that is found to have violated the act as
a result of a civil action other than a certified class action is liable in an
amount equal to the sum of:
  • The greater of:
  • The amount of actual damages sustained plus
interest; or
  • $500; or
  • 3 times the amount of actual damages sustained if
the payment card network engaged in bad faith
conduct; plus
  • The costs of the action plus reasonable attorney fees.
If a payment card network is found liable in a certified class
action, a successful plaintiff may recover actual damages, injunctive relief
allowed by law, and reasonable attorney fees and costs.

• March 13, 2025: House Finance Committee Report

WORKPLACE TEMPERATURE SAFETY AND INJURY PREVENTION ACT

I. PURPOSE

• Establishes workplace standards to prevent temperature-related injuries and illnesses.
• Requires employers to implement safety measures, monitoring plans, and emergency response procedures.
• Ensures compliance through required training, preventive rest breaks, and enforcement mechanisms.

II. REST BREAK REQUIREMENTS

• Employers must provide rest breaks allowing workers to access warmth or cooling.
• Meal breaks may count as rest breaks.
• Time spent donning or doffing personal protective equipment cannot be counted toward rest breaks.
• Walking time to and from break areas must not reduce rest break duration.
• Job quotas must be adjusted to allow required breaks.

III. TEMPERATURE-RELATED INJURY AND ILLNESS PREVENTION PLAN (TRIIPP)

• Employers must create a site-specific plan addressing temperature-related risks.
• Plans must outline policies and procedures for compliance, including:
  • Heat and cold monitoring.
  • Protective measures for workers wearing vapor-impermeable clothing.
  • Emergency protocols.
• Employers with more than ten workers must:
  • Have a written plan.
  • Designate a temperature safety coordinator.
• Plans must be reviewed annually and updated after temperature-related injuries or illnesses.
• Plans must be available at the worksite in a language understood by workers.

IV. EMERGENCY RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS

• Employers must establish a temperature emergency response plan, including:
  • Emergency contact procedures.
  • Designated personnel to invoke emergency measures.
  • Transport protocols.
  • Medical response guidelines.
• Workers showing signs of heat or cold-related illness must:
  • Be monitored and relieved from duty.
  • Be provided first aid or emergency medical attention as needed.
  • Receive immediate body temperature regulation before emergency responders arrive.

V. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

• Workers must receive training before exposure to extreme temperatures and annually thereafter.
• Training must include:
  • Worksite safety protocols.
  • Break locations.
  • Hydration and warming areas.
  • Risk factors and symptoms of temperature-related illness.
  • Emergency response procedures.
  • Worker rights under the law.
• Supervisors and temperature safety coordinators must receive additional training on compliance and emergency response.
• Additional training is required when:
  • Workplace conditions change.
  • A worker fails to retain necessary knowledge.
  • A temperature-related incident occurs.

VI. WORKER PROTECTIONS AND ENFORCEMENT

• Employers must implement requirements at no cost to workers, including:
  • Compensating workers for compliance-related time.
  • Providing necessary protective equipment.
• Employers are prohibited from retaliating against workers exercising their rights.
• Violations may result in compensatory and punitive damages.
• Courts may consider employer size, financial resources, and violation severity when determining damages.

VII. IMPLEMENTATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE

• The act takes effect April 1, 2026.
• If referred to voters via petition, it will be decided in the November 2026 general election.
• If approved, the act takes effect upon certification of results.

Extreme Temps

The bill requires employers 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.

AI Bill Version

Definition and Taxation of Computer Software

• Clarifies that internalized instruction code is part of computer hardware and is taxable.
• Establishes that computer software licenses purchased in bulk are taxed based on licenses used in Colorado.

Taxation of Telephone and Telegraph Services (Effective July 1, 2025)

• Imposes sales tax on interstate telephone and telegraph services that originate in Colorado and are billed to a Colorado address.

Gasoline and Special Fuel Tax Deductions

• Repeals the 0.5% distributor tax deduction for payment processing and bad debt losses, effective July 1, 2029.

Enterprise Zone Investment Tax Credit

• Caps the maximum credit at $2 million per taxpayer per year beginning January 1, 2026.
• Excludes certain industries, including oil and gas extraction, hard rock mining, aviation, fuel retail, and wireless telecommunications facility construction.
• Allows businesses to apply for a waiver to exceed the cap if they can demonstrate significant economic benefits to the Colorado Economic Development Commission.
• Requires annual reporting on waiver approvals, including taxpayer names and justification.

Modification of Property Tax and Rent Assistance Grants

• Freezes adjustments for inflation on grants for low-income seniors and disabled individuals until January 1, 2026.
• Limits the maximum eligible income amount and grant amounts to 2023 levels.

Repeal of Certain Tax Credits and Exemptions

• Repeals the senior property tax and rent assistance program effective December 31, 2026.

Effective Dates

• Upon passage, except for specific provisions taking effect on July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026.

Tax Expenditure Adjustment - CC Tax Credit

The bill adjusts several state tax expenditures as follows:
  • Section 2 of the bill increases the amount of a company's
total domestic workforce that must be in Colorado for a
company to qualify for the insurance premium tax rate tax
expenditure for a home office or regional home office;
  • Section 3 requires insurance companies, when submitting
certain filings with the division of insurance, to submit the
total annual dollar amount of premiums collected or
contracted for on policies or contracts of insurance
covering property or risks in Colorado during the previous
calendar year from entities that are exempt from taxation;
  • Section 6 limits the existing tax deduction related to
expenses, the deduction of which is disallowed by section
280C of the internal revenue code, so that a taxpayer may
only claim the tax deduction for income tax years
commencing before January 1, 2026;
  • Section 10, for income tax years commencing on and after
January 1, 2026, creates a new tax deduction related to
expenses, the deduction of which is disallowed by section
280C of the internal revenue code, so that a taxpayer may
claim the deduction for any expenses that cannot be
deducted under section 280C of the internal revenue code;
  • Section 7 limits the alternative minimum tax credit to
income tax years commencing prior to January 1, 2025;
  • Section 8 extends the tax credit for monetary contributions
to promote child care, so that the tax credit is available
through income tax years commencing before January 1,
2030, rather than January 1, 2028;
  • Section 9, for income tax years commencing on and after
January 1, 2026, creates an income tax credit for certain
individuals who are 65 years of age or older in the income
tax year, or who are a surviving spouse of that individual,
and who were previously eligible to receive a grant for real
property tax assistance and heat or fuel expenses
assistance;
  • Section 20, beginning January 1, 2026, ends the
availability of grants for real property tax assistance and
heat or fuel expenses assistance;
  • Sections 4, 5, 14, 15, 21, 22, and 23 make conforming
amendments for the changes made in sections 9 and 20;
  • Section 11 expands the definition of local government to
include counties for purposes of the alternative
transportation options tax credit;
  • Section 12 limits the existing business personal property
tax credit so that a taxpayer may only claim the tax
deduction for income tax years commencing before January
1, 2026;
  • Section 13 modifies the tax credit for qualified costs
incurred in preservation of historic structures by removing
the 5% increase in the percentage of rehabilitation expenses
incurred in a rehabilitation in a disaster area for the
rehabilitation of a commercial structure that are applicable
for the tax credit;
  • Section 16 modifies the downloaded software sales tax
exemption so that all software that is available for repeated
sale and license and governed by a nonnegotiable license
agreement qualifies as tangible property and thus is subject
to sales tax;
  • Section 17 ensures that, beginning July 1, 2025, interstate
telephone and telegraph services are subject to state sales
tax;
  • Section 18 repeals, effective July 1, 2025, the special fuel
excise tax reduction associated with bad debt and the
payment of the special fuel excise tax; and
  • Section 19 modifies the enterprise zone tax credit for
income tax years beginning January 1, 2026, by limiting the
total amount of the credit that may be claimed to $2
million, providing an exemption process for that limit, and
prohibiting certain taxpayers from claiming that credit.

This bill is creating the Colorado Voting Rights Act, which aims to ensure fair access to voting, particularly for minority groups, individuals with disabilities, and non-English speakers. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Indian Tribes:
   Ensures voter registration and election access for Indian tribes, including valid IDs and polling places on reservations.

2. Individuals with Disabilities:
   Requires state-funded services for people with disabilities to display voting information before general and primary elections.

3. Language Access:
   Expands the requirement for multilingual ballots from just counties to also include municipalities where there are many non-English speakers.

4. Data Collection:
   Establishes a new office to collect and share election data, like demographics and voting info. Local governments must send election data to this office after each election, and the office will provide data to the public and assist with research or investigations.

• Voter Suppression:
  Any action that limits voting access or participation for minority groups.
• Voter Dilution:
  Election methods that reduce the influence of minority voters in elections.
• Discrimination Based on Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation:
  No voting qualifications can be based on someone’s gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.

• Individuals or organizations can file lawsuits if they believe voter suppression, dilution, or discrimination occurred.
• The Attorney General can also investigate and file lawsuits for violations.

Colorado Voting Rights Act

The bill creates the Colorado Voting Rights Act (act) and modifies
certain election-related statutes in 4 areas:
  • Election and voting statutes related to Indian tribes;
  • Voting-related services for individuals with disabilities;
  • Election-related language access; and
  • Election-related data collection.
Creation of the act. The bill creates the act, which prohibits
political subdivisions from:
  • Taking any action that results in or is intended to result in
a material disparity between electors who are members of
a protected race, color, or language minority group or other
minority reporting group (protected class members) and
other eligible electors in regard to voter participation,
access to voting opportunities, or the opportunity or ability
to participate in the political process (voter suppression);
  • Enacting or employing any method of election that has the
effect of, or is motivated in part by the intention of,
disparately impairing the opportunity or ability of protected
class members to participate in the political process, elect
the candidates of their choice, or otherwise influence the
outcome of elections (voter dilution); or
  • Implementing, imposing, or enforcing a voting
qualification or another prerequisite to voting based on an
individual's actual or perceived gender identity, gender
expression, or sexual orientation.
An aggrieved individual or organization may file a civil suit alleging
voter suppression, voter dilution, or an unlawful voting prerequisite based
on gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. The attorney
general may investigate potential violations of the act and may file suit to
enforce the act or may intervene in an aggrieved individual's or
organization's civil suit.
Election and voting statutes related to Indian tribes. The bill
clarifies provisions related to voter registration and election access for
Indian tribes, including valid identification for registration purposes and
the requirements for voter service and polling centers and ballot drop-off
locations on Indian reservations.
Voting-related services for individuals with disabilities. The bill
imposes a requirement on covered entities, defined as entities that provide
state-funded services primarily to individuals with disabilities, to publicly
display notices related to voting in advance of statewide general and
primary elections.
Election-related language access. The bill expands existing
requirements for the creation of multilingual ballots from only applying
to qualifying counties to also applying to qualifying municipalities, based
on the population or percentage of the voting-age population within the
relevant jurisdiction who are minority language speakers and speak
English less than very well.
Election-related data collection. The bill creates the statewide
election database and information office (office) in the department of
state. The office collects and maintains data related to elections, including
demographics, election results, and voting information, which the office
is required to make publicly available. After each election, political
subdivisions are required to submit election-related information to the
office. The office also provides assistance to political subdivisions,
researchers, and members of the public related to the data it maintains, in
addition to providing data to the attorney general for purposes of
investigating potential violations of the act.

• February 18, 2025: Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee Report

The bill removes the requirement for a second election to negotiate a union security agreement clause during collective bargaining.

Previously, after a union was recognized, a separate election was needed to authorize negotiations over union security agreements—clauses that might require employees to join the union or pay dues as a condition of employment.

Eliminating this second election allows recognized unions and employers to directly negotiate union security provisions without additional procedural steps. 

Worker Protection Collective Bargaining

The bill eliminates the requirement for a second election to
negotiate a union security agreement clause in the collective bargaining
process.

• March 13, 2025: House Business Affairs & Labor Committee Report
• February 04, 2025: Senate Appropriations Committee Report
• January 21, 2025: Senate Business, Labor, & Technology Committee Report

Beginning on July 1, 2027, the bill modifies the necessary document program administered by the Office of Health Equity in the Department of Public Health and Environment, which assists certain Colorado residents with paying fees for necessary documents.

The bill clarifies that eligible individuals may obtain necessary documents without charge at:

• Participating Division of Motor Vehicles locations
• Participating vital statistics offices
• Participating mobile units or authorized representatives offering driver's licenses, identification cards, or vital statistics certificates and reports

The bill allows individuals to self-attest to their eligibility under the program but does not change identity verification requirements for obtaining necessary documents.

The bill also exempts eligible individuals from fees charged by the Department of Revenue for driver's licenses or identification cards.

Adjust Necessary Documents Program

Beginning on July 1, 2027, the bill adjusts aspects of the necessary
document program (program) administered by the office of health equity
in the department of public health and environment, which program
assists certain populations of Colorado residents with paying the fees to
acquire necessary documents. The bill clarifies that an individual who is
eligible under the program may obtain necessary documents without
charge at participating division of motor vehicles locations, participating
vital statistics offices, or participating mobile units or from authorized
representatives that offer driver's licenses, identification card services, or
vital statistics certificates and reports.
The bill establishes that an individual may self-attest to the
individual's eligibility under the program. The bill does not change the
identity verification requirements that may be required to obtain a
necessary document.
The bill also specifies that an individual who is eligible for the
program is not subject to the fees charged by the department of revenue
for driver's licenses or identification cards.

• February 12, 2025: Senate Health & Human Services Committee Report

This bill modifies, consolidates, and eliminates certain state-funded youth programs while adjusting funding sources and definitions related to youth services.

• Requires evidence-based mentoring standards: Programs must follow researched and tested best practices, with annual evaluations to prove effectiveness.
• Grant Matching Requirement: Organizations that receive state grants must provide 20% of the grant amount in additional funding from other sources.
• Allows more funding sources: Organizations can seek private and public donations to support youth mentoring efforts.

• Creates a new state fund to provide long-term financial support for youth mentoring programs.
• Ensures that unused funds remain available for youth mentoring services instead of returning to the general state budget.

• Dropout Prevention Program: Previously aimed to reduce high school dropout rates by funding intervention programs; this program is eliminated.
• Before-and-After-School Program: Funded programs for middle school students to engage in activities outside school hours; this program is eliminated.

• The definition now includes youth affected by poverty, family conflict, substance exposure, child abuse/neglect, and justice system involvement.
• This broader definition may allow more youth to qualify for support services.

• 7.5% of the state’s tobacco settlement funds will go toward youth services programs, ensuring continued funding for mentoring and support services.

• Moves grant approval authority for youth-focused tobacco prevention programs from a separate board to the Department of Human Services for streamlined oversight.

• Strengthens youth mentoring programs while cutting older, less targeted programs.
• Creates a dedicated fund for youth services and allows private donations to supplement state funding.
• Broadens eligibility for youth programs to serve more at-risk individuals.
• Secures funding for youth services from tobacco settlement money to maintain financial stability.

Tony Grampsas

The Tony Grampsas youth services grant program (grant program)
provides grants to community-based programs to reduce incidents of
youth crime and violence. The youth mentoring program, the student
dropout prevention and intervention program, and the student
before-and-after school project (collectively, the programs) were
created within the grant program. The bill repeals the individual programs
and instead lists the programs as allowable uses for grant money under
the grant program.
The bill transfers certain responsibilities from the Tony Grampsas
youth services board (board) to the department of human services (state
department). The bill repeals local public-to-private funding match
requirements.
The bill requires each entity that receives a grant to annually report
certain information to the state department; except that an entity that has
an operating budget of less than $1.5 million, or that receives a grant in
the amount of not more than $25,000, is not required to report on the
outcomes achieved by the services provided and the methods used to
track the outcomes.
The bill makes conforming amendments.

• March 13, 2025: Senate Health & Human Services Committee Report