Senate Approves Bill to Improve Public Safety, Reform Competency Laws

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed bipartisan legislation to reform Colorado’s competency laws, increase access to treatment, and safeguard public safety.

SB26-149, sponsored by Senator Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, would create new pathways for defendants deemed permanently incompetent to proceed to ensure appropriate access to treatment and prevent individuals deemed extremely dangerous from being released into the community.

“Too often, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities or untreated mental illness are in jail not because it is the right place for them, but because there is nowhere else to go,” said Amabile. “This bill would improve access to restorative treatment, protect Coloradans’ constitutional rights, and enhance public safety by ensuring that the very small percentage of people who should not be released into our communities get the treatment they need. This bill comes after months of consideration with law enforcement, mental health providers, impacted families, and community leaders to find the right path forward that protects Coloradans’ fundamental rights and prioritizes public safety.”

In 2022, Colorado passed bipartisan legislation to bring the state into compliance with the constitutional right, established in the 1960 U.S. Supreme Court case Dusky v. United States, that those facing criminal charges must be able to aid in their own defense. Under this constitutional right, when a defendant is found incompetent and unlikely to be restored, the judge must dismiss the case.

Currently, Colorado lacks sufficient civil treatment resources to ensure that individuals deemed dangerous are not released back into the community after their case is dismissed. In recent years, several individuals deemed incompetent to proceed have violently reoffended after being released.

Also sponsored by Minority Leader Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, this bill makes several changes to the process of declaring incompetency, including eliminating automatic presumptions that have led to some cases being dismissed and shifting the burden of proof for certain felony crimes so that the defense attorneys, not the prosecution, would be responsible for proving that their client is unrestorable to get their case dismissed. SB26-149 would also give judges new tools to help defendants earlier in the process, like the ability to appoint a care coordinator. 

The bill would create two new civil pathways for the small subset of very dangerous individuals who are deemed permanently incompetent to proceed: civil commitment for those with psychiatric disorders (e.g. schizophrenia), and enhanced protective placement for those with neurocognitive disorders (e.g. dementia) or intellectual and developmental disorders. 

These reforms aim to improve the process for declaring incompetency, increase access to appropriate treatment, protect public safety, and uphold Coloradans’ constitutional rights.

The bill now heads to the House for further consideration. Track its progress HERE. 

Bill to Expand Local Government Access to Affordable Housing Passes Committee

HB26-1313 would modernize Prop 123 requirements to reflect rising construction costs

DENVER, CO – The Senate Local Government and Housing Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Senator Matt Ball, D-Denver, to expand local government access to affordable housing funds.

“Under current Proposition 123 rules, even the most proactive local governments can’t meet production requirements to access affordable housing funds, as rising construction costs continue to put up barriers,” Ball said. “This important bill would modernize Prop 123 requirements to allow more local governments to leverage this dedicated funding and create more affordable housing for Colorado families.”

Under current law, local and tribal governments seeking state affordable housing funding through the voter-approved Proposition 123 program must commit to increasing affordable housing units by three percent annually over a three year cycle. 

HB26-1313, also sponsored by Senator Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, would replace this growth requirement with a target that encompasses each jurisdiction’s pace of development. For each local government, the target would equal the average annual number of permits issued over the past three years for new construction, multiplied by three (for the 3-year cycle), multiplied by a growth factor of 10, 15, or 20 percent, depending on the rate of job growth in the local jurisdiction.

The bill would provide bonus credit toward targets for certain types of affordable housing, like units on donated land, for-sale units, or units for very low-income households. Additionally, it would allow local governments to request waivers if they cannot meet requirements – either a good faith effort waiver for the 2024 cycle or an adjustment waiver for 2027 and beyond. 

HB26-1313 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track its progress here. 

Bill to Boost Small Businesses and Create Jobs Passes Senate

HB26-1003 would expand eligibility for small business loans

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed legislation to expand eligibility for the successful CLIMBER (Colorado Loans to Increase Mainstreet Business Economic Recovery) program.

HB26-1003, sponsored by Senators Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, and Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, would remove the COVID-19 recovery provisions of the Small Business Recovery and Resiliency Loan Program and expand loan eligibility to better equip small businesses for success, create more good-paying jobs, and support local economies.

“Here in Colorado, small businesses power our economy,” said Kolker. “Access to a loan to grow a business or help it get off the ground can be a game-changer for Colorado entrepreneurs, their employees, and our local communities. The updates to this program will increase access to loans for small businesses and create flexibility to allocate loans where the need is greatest throughout the state.”

“Since its creation during the COVID-19 pandemic, the CLIMBER program has delivered measurable results – supporting hundreds of small businesses and creating jobs,” said Marchman. “This bill modernizes the program to meet the needs of small businesses today, expand eligibility, and increase support for rural and underserved businesses.” 

In order to support Colorado's small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Colorado Democrats established the CLIMBER program in 2020 to offer small business loans with below-market interest rates. Under the program, small businesses with up to 99 employees may apply for working capital loans between $10,000 and $500,000. These loans can be used to hire more employees, start or expand brick-and-mortar storefronts, get new businesses off the ground, and more. In fiscal year 2023-2024, the CLIMBER program loaned over $17 million and helped create or support nearly 1,900 jobs across the state.

HB26-1003 would build upon a 2024 law sponsored by Kolker and Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver, to make the CLIMBER Program permanent and target resources and expertise to underserved businesses. It would reappropriate $5 million to the Colorado Startup Loan Fund, a program that’s been highly successful in supporting business owners in rural areas, multilingual speakers, and those who have been unable to receive traditional financing. 

The bill would also increase the accessibility of the Small Business Recovery and Resiliency Fund by lowering the private leverage requirement, which currently requires $4 of private funds for every $1 of state funds. The bill would lower the matching ratio requirement to 1:1. 

HB26-1003 now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature. Track its progress HERE.

Committee Approves Bill to Improve Traffic Safety Around Schools

DENVER, CO – The Senate Transportation and Energy Committee today passed a bill sponsored by Senate Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, to improve traffic safety standards around schools.

“School zones are not properly or clearly defined, and this confusion has put students at risk,” Cutter said. “Losing a child due to a traffic accident on their way to or from school is tragic and unnecessary. This bill will put in place some commonsense regulations to keep students safe.”

HB26-1318 would set roadway signage requirements around schools to strengthen road safety for students and road users. The bill would require all roadways within at least 1,000 feet of a school boundary to have signage indicating the school boundary and that driving penalties are doubled in this area. Existing school zones between 200 and 1,000 feet from the school may keep their current school zone boundaries, but must follow the bill’s process for modifying these boundaries.

Under the bill, a jurisdiction may reduce the distance that they must put these signs up to 200 feet from the school after they hold a public hearing to ensure the community is aware of this change and given an opportunity to weigh in. The bill also allows jurisdictions to expand school zone boundaries as they see fit and to raise revenue through bonding to fund school zone signage. Additionally, local governments may close school streets to vehicles and require vehicles to yield to non-vehicle road users. The maximum speed limit would be set to 10 miles per hour.

The bill also allows a state or local government to use an automated vehicle identification system to detect traffic violations in a school zone or on a Safe Route to School, which is defined as a designated roadway that is frequented by pedestrians and cyclists when commuting to and from school.

This bill is inspired by a fatal accident in 2023 that took the life of Liam Stewart, a Littleton middle schooler, who was hit by a car while biking to school.

HB26-1318 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track its progress here.

Legislation to Prevent Sexual Abuse in Jails Passes Committee

DENVER, CO – The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced legislation to close gaps in jail safety standard requirements to protect incarcerated Coloradans from sexual exploitation.

HB26-1123, sponsored by Senators Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, and Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, would strengthen jail safety policies regarding strip searches, sexual assault prevention, and whistleblower protections. 

“Recent incidents in Colorado jails have revealed serious failures to keep people in custody safe from sexual misconduct. This abuse cannot continue unchecked,” said Weissman. “This bill establishes clear standards for when strip searches can occur, restricts access to footage, and requires strict reporting. It also ensures real accountability for any officer who commits sexual misconduct. This bill is about restoring trust, safety, and accountability.” 

“It is our responsibility to ensure that people in jail are safe from harm, especially at the hands of the officials who are supposed to keep them safe,” said Amabile. “Unfortunately, sexual abuse in jail is all too common. This bill establishes basic protections against sexual misconduct, increases access to sexual assault advocacy services, and prevents abusive staff from moving to another facility where they can cause further harm.”  

This bill would require detention centers to create sexual assault prevention policies and inform inmates of their rights under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). If a peace officer commits a sexual assault in a detention facility, their POST certification would be permanently revoked.

Prior to arraignment, two peace officers or other authorized personnel would be required to independently determine that there is a reasonable suspicion that an individual is concealing a weapon or a controlled substance to conduct a strip search. They would document their decision to conduct a strip search and would record the search using their body-worn camera. Detention facilities would submit an annual report for the total number of strip searches that occurred in their facilities, as well as the reasons and the results of the searches, to the Colorado legislature and the Attorney General.

HB26-1123 would only allow a peace officer to review a video recording of a strip search for a legitimate law enforcement purpose. Personnel would be required to obtain approval from the sheriff to access strip search footage and document the reason for seeking access. These recordings could not be viewed remotely.

The bill also includes whistleblower protections for staff who report suspected, alleged, or witnessed sexual assault and would create a private right of action for whistleblowers.

The Prison Rape Elimination Act was passed by Congress in 2003 to prevent sexual assaults in prison. Inconsistent implementation and enforcement of PREA standards have left significant gaps that leave individuals vulnerable to sexual misconduct in jails and prisons. Last year, investigators found that a La Plata County Jail commander watched strip search videos of at least 117 female inmates over 3,000 times between 2019 and 2024. He was charged with 117 counts of invasion of privacy and one count of official misconduct.

The bill now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

Bill to Lower Costs, Boost Wages Passes Committee

HB26-1210 would crack down on surveillance pricing

DENVER, CO – The Senate Business, Labor, and Technology Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Senators Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, and Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, to prohibit corporations from using consumers’ personal data to charge them more or pay them less. 

HB26-1210 would prohibit the use of a price or wage-setting algorithm that uses artificial intelligence and other data processing techniques to strategically set prices or wages based on surveillance of an individual’s data, including browsing and purchase history, financial status, habits, and affiliations.

“Large corporations stack the deck against hardworking Coloradans far more than most of us are aware,” said Weissman. “They’re now using artificial intelligence to set prices as high as they think an individual will pay, and wages as low as they think someone will accept. Colorado families deserve better. I’m proud to sponsor legislation to tackle these unfair pricing practices, protect consumers and workers, and bring down costs.”

“Coloradans deserve to know they’re paying a fair price and have the opportunity to negotiate for a good wage,” said Jodeh. “We all lose when large corporations can set different prices for different people based on sensitive data they’ve collected. This bill stands up for workers and families to ensure that your personal data – like where you live and what you’ve bought in the past – is not used against you to raise prices or keep your wages low.”

Corporations have increasingly weaponized price and wage setting to set prices at the highest amount someone is willing to pay and wages at the lowest amount that someone is willing to accept, based on data that is not publicly accessible and often collected without an individual’s knowledge or consent. For example, if someone searches for funeral homes online and then goes to book a plane ticket, an algorithm may judge that they are traveling for a funeral and would be willing to pay more for the flight. Under the bill, engaging in these price or wage-setting practices would be considered a deceptive trade practice and could result in a civil penalty.

A 2025 Federal Trade Commission report found that individualized pricing tools are being used to target specific consumers with artificially-inflated prices for goods and services based on surveillance data, such as a person’s location or the motion of a computer mouse.

HB26-1210 now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

Legislation to Enact Protections for Meatpackers Clears Committee Unanimously

DENVER, CO – The Senate Business, Labor, and Technology Committee today unanimously passed legislation to boost protections for meatpackers. 

SB26-160, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, and Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, would prohibit a meatpacking employer from deducting the cost of personal protective equipment (PPE) from an employee’s pay and would ensure access to restrooms during work hours.

“The JBS workers’ strike in Greeley exposed serious concerns about working conditions in Colorado’s meatpacking industry,” said Rodriguez. “This bill takes action to address those concerns, prioritizing fair pay and workplace safety. It protects workers’ basic right to access the restroom on the job and ensures the cost of equipment that protects workers’ health and safety isn’t taken out of their hard-earned paychecks.”

“Meatpacking is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country with high rates of workplace injury,” said Gonzales. “These hard-working employees provide food for our families and communities and power our economy. This bill is about honoring the bravery of the workers who have come forward about egregious workplace conditions and ensuring that basic standards of dignity and safety are crystal clear in Colorado law.” 

Colorado meatpacking facilities have been the center of ongoing concerns and investigations into workplace conditions, as publicized by the recent JBS meatpackers strike. Complaints include denial of restroom access and wage deductions for PPE. 

Under federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, employers must pay for required PPE. This bill would add that same rule into state law, providing certainty for employers and employees regardless of changes at the federal level. Ensuring wages are not deducted for PPE strengthens basic workplace safety protections in state law, supports compliance with current OSHA standards, and helps prevent avoidable workplace injuries. 

The bill would also prevent large meatpacking employers with 500 or more employees from unreasonably denying workers access to the restroom during work hours. It would implement a fine of $100 per employee per violation, not to exceed $200 per employee per week. 

The bill now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

Committee Approves Bill to Boost Ballot Accessibility and Transparency

HB26-1320 would make ballot language more accessible so more Coloradans are encouraged to vote

DENVER, CO – The Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Senator Adrienne Benavidez, D-Commerce City, to make ballot language more accessible, transparent, and easy to understand. 

“The complex statutory language that appears on ballots is a substantial barrier to the average Coloradan voting on ballot measures,” Benavidez said. “Under this legislation, ballot title language would be more accessible so that more Colorado voters feel empowered to cast their ballots and make their voices heard.”

HB26-1320 requires ballot titles to be written in plain language that is understood by the widest possible audience. Under this bill, ballot titles would be required to include language that is substantially similar to the statutory language, rather than word-for-word, to make it easier for voters to understand. 

This bill also adds language to tax revenue ballot titles to include the effects of tax revenue increases or decreases to better inform voters. By including plain language in the bill title, voters would have a better understanding of the impact of a ballot measure from the beginning. 

Colorado has one of the highest voter turnout rates in the country. HB26-1320 is the latest in a series of bills championed by Colorado Democrats to safeguard and improve Colorado’s election system. This includes HB26-1084, which aims to share information with voters about how much proposed ballot measures could impact state finances and essential services, and HB26-1113, which makes necessary modifications and updates to Colorado’s election system.

HB26-1320 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track its progress here. 

Senate Approves Bill to Modernize and Improve RTD

SB26-150 would implement the recommendations from the RTD Accountability Committee

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate passed legislation sponsored by Senators Matt Ball, D-Denver, and Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, to modernize and improve the Regional Transportation District (RTD).

“Millions of Coloradans live on the Front Range, and yet, they are stuck with a transit system that is severely underdeveloped compared to similar districts in other cities,” Ball said. “This critical legislation will help Coloradans to have cleaner and more effective transit options.”

“The Denver metro area is a world-class destination boasting world-class offerings, and while public transit helps Coloradans access those big-ticket events, it also supports mobility and accessibility for the 30% of households that don’t have reliable access to a car,” Jodeh said. “When transit doesn’t work, it impacts whether families – especially communities of color, seniors, and people with disabilities – can go to work, school, and connect with their communities. This bill is about continuing Colorado’s commitment to those families and sustainable growth for generations to come.”

SB26-150 would make a number of changes to the RTD board in order to create a governing board that is more functional and well-equipped to make decisions in pursuit of a world-class transit system, including:

• Reducing the current 15-member board to nine, bringing it in line with the majority of transit boards in the country;

• Preserving five seats up for election, ensuring that the majority of the board remains democratically elected;

• Making four of the nine board seats at-large appointments, for which the criteria includes expertise in finance, land use, transportation planning, disproportionately impacted communities, and/or labor, with one appointment to be nominated through the Denver Regional Council of Governments and one appointed seat required to be a current or former Amalgamated Transit Union member;

• Raising board and chairperson salaries to attract high-quality candidates; and

• Increasing structure and clarity for the board by requiring that specific authorities and responsibilities be set for each board member.

New RTD districts would be drawn in advance of the 2028 election, creating an entirely new board by January 1, 2029, with plans in place to achieve staggered turnover of the board starting in 2031. Additionally, the bill would require that RTD complete a study into and adopt a plan for implementing improved paratransit services by December 31, 2027.

The bill would also require a review of the new RTD board structure after 15 years, guaranteeing a long-term evaluation of the new structure to assess its effectiveness over time, including representation, expertise, ridership, and financial performance.

The RTD Accountability Committee was created by SB25-161, sponsored by Senator William Lindstedt, Jodeh, and the late Senator Faith Winter. As a result of the bill, the Committee delivered its recommendations to the General Assembly and Governor Polis earlier this year. 

SB26-150 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

2026 School Finance Act Clears Committee

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate Education Committee voted to advance the 2026 School Finance Act, sponsored by Senator Chris Kolker, D-Centennial.

“As Chair of the Senate Education Committee, upholding our promise to Colorado students, teachers, and schools is my number one priority,” said Kolker. “During an extremely challenging budget year, we worked hard to ensure we don’t backslide on the important progress we’ve made to eliminate the Budget Stabilization Factor and drive more funding to our schools. While there is much more work to do to ensure Colorado is a national leader in public education funding, I’m proud that despite budgetary constraints we were successfully able to increase per pupil funding and protect funding for Colorado’s public schools.”

Also sponsored by Senator Barb Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, SB26-023 sets statewide per pupil funding at $12,314 for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, an increase of $438 as compared to FY 2025-2026 funding levels, bringing total K-12 funding for the upcoming fiscal year to $10.2 billion and increasing total program funding by $191.9 million. The General Fund contribution to K-12 education is increasing significantly thanks to the Kids Matter Fund created by Democrats last year, which is forecast to invest more than $216 million in Colorado’s schools next year. 

Under SB26-023, the new school finance formula (HB24-1448) is implemented at 30 percent and includes a three-year averaging model to help stabilize school funding in a declining enrollment environment. This follows requirements in last year’s School Finance Act that phased in the implementation of the new school funding formula at 15 percent per year for six years, and then 10 percent for the final seventh year of implementation.

This year, Democrats also increased funding by $14 million to continue free preschool access for all Colorado kids and increased funding by $38 million to implement the voter-approved Proposition MM to preserve access to free school meals for students.

SB26-023 now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track its progress here.

Committee Unanimously Advances Bill to Improve Public Safety, Reform Competency Laws

DENVER, CO – The Senate Judiciary Committee today unanimously passed bipartisan legislation to reform Colorado’s competency laws, increase access to treatment, and safeguard public safety.

SB26-149, sponsored by Senator Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, would create new pathways for defendants deemed permanently incompetent to proceed to ensure appropriate access to treatment and prevent individuals deemed extremely dangerous from being released into the community.

“Too often, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities or untreated mental illness are in jail not because it is the right place for them, but because there is nowhere else to go,” said Amabile. “This bill would improve access to restorative treatment, protect Coloradans’ constitutional rights, and enhance public safety by ensuring that the very small percentage of people who should not be released into our communities get the treatment they need. This bill comes after months of consideration with law enforcement, mental health providers, impacted families, and community leaders to find the right path forward that protects Coloradans’ fundamental rights and prioritizes public safety.”

In 2022, Colorado passed bipartisan legislation to bring the state into compliance with the constitutional right, established in the 1960 U.S. Supreme Court case Dusky v. United States, that those facing criminal charges must be able to aid in their own defense. Under this constitutional right, when a defendant is found incompetent and unlikely to be restored, the judge must dismiss the case.

Currently, Colorado lacks sufficient civil treatment resources to ensure that individuals deemed dangerous are not released back into the community after their case is dismissed. In recent years, several individuals deemed incompetent to proceed have violently reoffended after being released.

Also sponsored by Minority Leader Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, this bill makes several changes to the process of declaring incompetency, including eliminating automatic presumptions that have led to some cases being dismissed and shifting the burden of proof for certain felony crimes so that the defense attorneys, not the prosecution, would be responsible for proving that their client is unrestorable to get their case dismissed. SB26-149 would also give judges new tools to help defendants earlier in the process, like the ability to appoint a care coordinator. 

The bill would create two new civil pathways for the small subset of very dangerous individuals who are deemed permanently incompetent to proceed: civil commitment for those with psychiatric disorders (e.g. schizophrenia), and enhanced protective placement for those with neurocognitive disorders (e.g. dementia) or intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

These reforms aim to improve the process for declaring incompetency, increase access to appropriate treatment, protect public safety, and uphold Coloradans’ constitutional rights.

The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

Roberts Bill to Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation Passes Senate Unanimously

DENVER, CO – The Senate today unanimously passed bipartisan legislation to update and strengthen Colorado’s criminal statutes regarding commercial sexual activity with a child. 

SB26-015, sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, would modernize outdated terminology and increase penalties for crimes relating to sexual exploitation of a child. 

“Children deserve protection, dignity, and justice,” said Roberts. “This bill is a targeted approach to address a gap in current law that can allow those who have sexually exploited children to avoid jail time. It creates a new floor, strengthening protections for children and ensuring accountability for those who buy children for sex. It also modernizes language to make it clear that children are never at fault in these cases.”

Also sponsored by Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, the bill would replace outdated terms related to “child prostitution” with the more accurate “commercial sexual activity with a child,” reframing these offenses to emphasize the exploitation of children.

SB26-015 would also increase penalties for such offenses. It would require a minimum of 364 days of jail time as a condition of probation if an offender is charged with soliciting commercial sexual activity with a child. It would increase penalties for other crimes related to commercial sexual activity with a child, requiring courts to impose a mandatory minimum sentence of the lower end of the sentencing range, which is currently four years for a class 3 felony. Lastly, the bill would create a new class 3 felony for the crime of internet luring of a child with intent to meet a child for commercial sexual activity.

SB26-015 now heads to the House for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

Senate Approves Kolker Bill to Strengthen Access to PERA

SB26-151 would ensure teachers who move in or out of the DSST network have consistent access to retirement savings

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed SB26-151, sponsored by Senator Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, and Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, to provide continuity for teachers by allowing DSST Public Schools to join PERA (the Public Employee's Retirement Association). 

“Teachers who move schools should be able to seamlessly continue saving up for retirement and accruing benefits,” said Kolker. “This bill closes a gap to ensure consistent access to PERA benefits inside and outside the DSST network. The bill works in tandem with other legislation I’ve passed this year to strengthen PERA and deliver meaningful benefits to the teachers, educators, and staff who are educating Colorado’s future.”

“Despite representing a large share of PERA beneficiaries, Denver Public Schools currently lacks voting authority on the PERA board,” Gonzales said. “In addition to bridging gaps for educators who rely on PERA for retirement planning and benefits, this bill would ensure that DPS gets a proportional say in the future of PERA on the board of trustees.”

DSST Public Schools, formerly known as Denver School of Science and Technology, is comprised of 16 schools in Denver and Aurora. Under current law, DSST schools in Denver are excluded from PERA while newer DSST-affiliated schools in Aurora must participate. The bill resolves that inconsistency by allowing DSST schools to join PERA, providing better continuity for teachers moving in or out of the network. 

The bill would also allow DSST employees to purchase more than 10 years of service credit within a specified window for their years at DSST to allow long-term employees to transfer over to PERA without negative impacts to their retirement plans. Additionally, the bill would add one voting member to the PERA Board of Trustees, which would be elected from the Denver Public Schools division, which represents about 45,000 PERA members.

SB26-151 joins several other pieces of legislation sponsored by Senator Kolker to strengthen PERA, expand access to benefits, and support schools. 

HB26-1146, also sponsored by Senator Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, expands PERA benefits to educators and staff at facility schools, which serve students with behavioral or special education needs. This bill was signed into law on April 2. 

HB26-1027 adds a retired Board of Cooperative Services (BOCES) executive director to a list of specific education-related positions, including teachers, paraprofessionals, food service professionals, and bus drivers, who can fill vacant positions in local schools without the risk of losing their PERA benefits. This bill was signed into law on March 12.

Finally, HB26-1026 would increase flexibility and expand savings opportunities for PERA employees. It passed the Senate Finance Committee and is awaiting its hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee. 

SB26-151 now heads to the House for further consideration. Track its progress HERE. 

Danielson Bill to Protect Older Coloradans from Being Scammed Clears Senate Unanimously

DENVER, CO – The Senate today unanimously passed bipartisan legislation to prevent scams targeting older Coloradans. 

HB26-1110, the Adults’ Security and Safeguards from Exploitations in Transactions (ASSET) Act, is sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, and Marc Catlin, R-Montrose. It would help prevent older Coloradans and other vulnerable people from being defrauded by scammers.

“Older Coloradans deserve to live with financial security – but years of hard work and saving can be ruined in an instant by a scammer,” said Danielson. “My bill will allow bankers and credit unions to stop fraudulent transactions before they go through.  It’s about putting safeguards in place to prevent scams and keep Coloradans’ hard-earned money in their bank accounts.”

Under the bill, bank and credit union professionals would notify authorities and could pause transactions for additional review if they have reason to believe that their client is the victim of financial exploitation. The bill would also offer legal protection for these professionals if their action, or failure to act, was in good faith.

In 2024, Coloradans aged 60 years old and older reported losing over $74 million to scams. They were also the age group that experienced the most scams, with 3,125 individuals losing an average of $24,000.

In 2025, Colorado Democrats passed a law, sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, that protects Coloradans from scams involving cryptocurrency kiosks, which target the elderly and other vulnerable populations. The law established a transaction limit of $2,000 per day for new customers and $10,500 for existing customers to help limit the amount of money that scammers can steal.

HB26-1110 now heads back to the House for consideration of amendments. Track its progress HERE. 

Senate Approves Bill to Provide Additional Information about Ballot Measures

HB26-1084 would share important fiscal information with voters about citizen-initiated ballot initiatives

DENVER, CO – The Senate today approved a bill sponsored by Senators William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield, and Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, to share additional information with voters about certain citizen-initiated ballot initiatives.

“If a ballot measure is going to get its funding by siphoning resources from other critical services, like education and health care, voters should know that,” Lindstedt said. “This bill is about government transparency – making sure that voters have the information they need before they cast their ballots.”

"For years I've worked to make our election and campaign laws more transparent and functional for voters who make important decisions about our state's future, and this bill is no exception," Weissman said.  "This legislation is an additional step toward making more details available in our elections so Coloradans have as much information as possible when casting their ballots."

HB26-1084 would help share information with voters about how much certain proposed ballot measures could impact essential state services. Specifically, this bill would require that voters receive additional information when citizen-initiated ballot measures would likely increase state expenditures. This would only apply to referred ballot measures that do not describe a measure’s likely effect on sufficient revenue sources or specific state-run programs and services that could be reduced to pay for the cost of the measure.

The bill would require that additional information be printed in the Ballot Information Booklet, also known as the Blue Book. Specifically, the bill would require information about how a ballot measure that increases state expenditures would likely impact the three largest state programs and services that could be reduced. This could include K-12 education, health care and the Department of Corrections. 

Colorado has one of the highest voter turnout rates in the country. Over the years, Colorado Democrats have worked to safeguard and strengthen Colorado’s election system. In 2021, Colorado Democrats championed a law, also sponsored by Weissman, to inform voters of the core programs and services that would be impacted by citizen-initiated ballot measures that reduce taxes. 

Last year, Colorado Democrats passed the Colorado Voting Rights Act to codify stronger voter protections and expand access to voting information for historically excluded communities. Under this law, even if federal voting protections are rolled back, Colorado will still prohibit discriminatory election practices. 

HB26-1084 now moves back to the House for consideration of amendments. Track its progress HERE.

JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! Legislation to Support First Responders Through Affordable Housing Opportunities

DENVER, CO – Today, the Governor signed legislation sponsored by Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Representative Chad Clifford, D-Centennial, to support first responders and help them afford to live in the communities where they serve.

SB26-053, cosponsored by Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, and Representative Ryan Gonzalez, R-Greeley, would expand eligibility for mortgage loans through the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) to include peace officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), correctional officers, 911 operators, port of entry officers, wildlife officers and their families who don’t qualify under current eligibility guidelines.

“This new law is about taking care of those who take care of us,” Mullica said. “By expanding eligibility for Colorado Housing and Finance Authority’s mortgage loans to first responders, we can help ensure that the folks who protect our communities can actually afford to live in the communities where they serve. When we have an opportunity to take care of our first responders, we should jump at that opportunity.”

"Our new law will allow more first responders to qualify for affordable housing assistance to support those who give so much to our communities," Clifford said. "There is a concerning trend of first responders not being able to afford to live where they work. Our communities rely on first responders, and this law will expand an existing affordable housing program to save Coloradans money."

This legislation would implement an income cap of 110 percent of the CHFA cap on other programs. CHFA’s existing home mortgage program offers access to fixed-rate mortgage loans for low- and moderate-income Coloradans. CHFA also provides homeowner education and down payment assistance to support working families as they live, work, and thrive in their communities.

Legislation to Boost Utility Assistance Passes Senate

SB26-002 would improve access to energy assistance programs

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed legislation to standardize and improve energy assistance programs to ensure affordable, reliable access to the energy Coloradans need to keep their homes running.

SB26-002, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, and Senator Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs, would require all investor-owned gas and electric utilities in Colorado to have a standardized framework for energy assistance programs known as Percentage of Income Payment Plans (PIPP). 

“No one should be spending an exorbitant amount of their income on utilities,” said Kipp. “Colorado families face difficult choices every month between rent, groceries, bills, and all the unexpected expenses life throws their way. This legislation is about ensuring that Coloradans who need energy assistance are able to access these programs in a simple, efficient way no matter what part of the state they live in or who provides their utilities.”

“Every Colorado family should be able to keep the lights on and keep their home safe and functioning without breaking the bank,” said Exum. “The purpose behind this bill has never wavered – to bring down energy bills for families who need it. This bill standardizes utility assistance programs, increases their visibility, and simplifies the application process so that more Coloradans can benefit.”

SB26-002 would require utilities to clearly post information about eligibility criteria and enrollment processes for the PIPP program on their websites and would standardize the name of PIPP programs across all investor-owned utilities to reduce confusion for customers. It would also allow customers to apply directly with their utility for the program, rather than having to first enroll in another assistance program. Referrals from other programs like Colorado Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) would still be allowed, ensuring multiple pathways to enrollment. 

To improve and expedite the application experience, under the bill, utilities must inform applicants within 30 days whether they have been approved or denied for PIPP. For those who are approved, utilities must provide a clear explanation of benefits and how their monthly bill will be impacted. 

The bill now heads to the House for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

Senate passes FY 2026-2027 Budget

Lawmakers protect K-12 education, universal preschool, and core health care services while making difficult cuts to balance the budget

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 state budget. This bipartisan budget protects K-12 education and core health care services while making reductions across state departments, lowering the state’s reserve, and reducing Medicaid spending to close a $1.2 billion deficit. 

The long bill and amended orbitals now return to the House for consideration of amendments.

“This year’s budget reflects a tough reality,” said Vice Chair of the Joint Budget Committee Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County. “TABOR’s rationing limit, the rising cost of Medicaid, and Trump’s cuts are crushing Colorado’s finances and families. We’ve worked overtime this year to minimize the harm caused by these cuts. It’s not enough. That’s why Colorado voters will have the opportunity in November to solve these structural pressures and ensure all Coloradans have the opportunity to earn a good life.”

“The Joint Budget Committee has been working around the clock for months to finalize a budget that meets our constitutional requirements and make thoughtful, evidence-based decisions in a very difficult budget year,” said Member of the Joint Budget Committee Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “Many of the cuts required this year are painful, and they will have a direct impact on people’s lives. We did not make these decisions lightly. Ultimately, we were able to deliver a bipartisan budget that protects core Medicaid services, lifesaving nutrition assistance, and funding for education.”

The state’s $46.8 billion budget includes $17.4 billion in general fund expenditures, a net increase of just $212 million from last year’s budget which does not cover increased costs in key sectors, especially Medicaid. This year’s Long Bill, HB26-1410, is accompanied by 64 “orbital bills,” which move through the legislative process alongside the budget and make the statutory changes needed to balance the budget.

Democrats took action to invest in Colorado kids and students in this budget. The General Fund contribution to K-12 education will increase significantly this year thanks to the Kids Matter Fund created by Colorado Democrats last year, which is forecast to invest more than $216 million in our schools next year. Democrats also increased funding by $14 million to continue free preschool access for all Colorado kids and increased funding by $38 million to implement the voter-approved Proposition MM to preserve access to free school meals for students. 

This budget protects core health care benefits and does not reduce Medicaid enrollment, preventing many Coloradans from losing health insurance. It also protects the Senior Homestead Property Tax Exemption with $200 million in funding.

There are three main factors that have contributed to Colorado’s budget deficit. 
First, H.R. 1 created enormous new tax cuts for the wealthiest corporations and slashed revenue for core state services. This required the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) to cut $200 million more from the budget to protect the Senior and Veterans Homestead Exemption. It also created a larger hole to fill in FY 2026-2027 by dipping into the state’s reserve in FY 2025-2026. Finally, it turned off over $1 billion in tax credits for families, taking money out of the pockets of hardworking Coloradans. 

Second, TABOR limits how much Colorado can invest in government services each year, and there is a constitutional requirement to pass a balanced budget. When the costs to provide state services grow faster than the amount of money the state can spend each year under TABOR, then cuts have to be made. Medicaid costs, prison caseload, and utilization of core services continue to grow substantially more than what the state can spend and what program experts previously forecast.

Third, Medicaid costs are exploding year over year, far beyond what was forecast by nonpartisan legislative staff. Medicaid is growing at nearly nine percent per year, while TABOR constrains budget growth to about 3.2 percent for next year’s budget.

Medicaid spending is increasing primarily due to inflation and higher costs for existing benefits, higher utilization of services, and higher provider rates, not new benefits or services. The largest growth has been in long-term care, prescription drug coverage, and pediatric behavioral health. 

To close the $1.2 billion budget deficit and deliver a balanced, bipartisan budget, lawmakers reduced health care spending, including a $270 million reduction in Medicaid reimbursement rates and some services. This is in addition to the $90 million lawmakers already cut from Medicaid earlier this year. 

Additionally, lawmakers reallocated $570 million that was previously invested in state programs or services, lowered the state’s reserve by $340 million, and made $150 million in cuts across smaller state departments. Lawmakers found additional savings in state employee compensation and held contractor rates flat to save $120 million, reduced health disparity grants and water quality programs by $4.5 million, and made $9.3 million in caseload-based reductions to the early intervention programs at the Department of Early Childhood. 

One of the more difficult cuts for the JBC was to limit reimbursements to family members who serve as caregivers of Medicaid recipients. At 56 hours per week starting in 2027, reimbursement for family members who serve as caregivers in Colorado will remain one of the most generous in the country. Many states only reimburse up to 10 hours. Lawmakers also made a reduction to the Cover All Coloradans program, which provides health care to pregnant people and young children, by reducing benefits. 

Senate Advances FY 2026-2027 Budget

Lawmakers protect K-12 education, universal preschool, and core health care services while making difficult cuts to balance the budget

DENVER, CO – The Senate today advanced the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 state budget on a preliminary vote. This bipartisan budget protects K-12 education and core health care services while making reductions across state departments, lowering the state’s reserve, and reducing Medicaid spending to close a $1.2 billion deficit. 

“This year’s budget reflects a tough reality,” said Vice Chair of the Joint Budget Committee Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County. “TABOR’s rationing limit, the rising cost of Medicaid, and Trump’s cuts are crushing Colorado’s finances and families. We’ve worked overtime this year to minimize the harm caused by these cuts. It’s not enough. That’s why Colorado voters will have the opportunity in November to solve these structural pressures and ensure all Coloradans have the opportunity to earn a good life.”

“The Joint Budget Committee has been working around the clock for months to finalize a budget that meets our constitutional requirements and make thoughtful, evidence-based decisions in a very difficult budget year,” said Member of the Joint Budget Committee Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “Many of the cuts required this year are painful, and they will have a direct impact on people’s lives. We did not make these decisions lightly. Ultimately, we were able to deliver a bipartisan budget that protects core Medicaid services, lifesaving nutrition assistance, and funding for education.”

The state’s $46.8 billion budget includes $17.4 billion in general fund expenditures, a net increase of just $212 million from last year’s budget which does not cover increased costs in key sectors, especially Medicaid. This year’s Long Bill, HB26-1410, is accompanied by 64 “orbital bills,” which move through the legislative process alongside the budget and make the statutory changes needed to balance the budget.

Democrats took action to invest in Colorado kids and students in this budget. The General Fund contribution to K-12 education will increase significantly this year thanks to the Kids Matter Fund created by Colorado Democrats last year, which is forecast to invest more than $216 million in our schools next year. Democrats also increased funding by $14 million to continue free preschool access for all Colorado kids and increased funding by $38 million to implement the voter-approved Proposition MM to preserve access to free school meals for students. 

This budget protects core health care benefits and does not reduce Medicaid enrollment, preventing many Coloradans from losing health insurance. It also protects the Senior Homestead Property Tax Exemption with $200 million in funding.

There are three main factors that have contributed to Colorado’s budget deficit. 
First, H.R. 1 created enormous new tax cuts for the wealthiest corporations and slashed revenue for core state services. This required the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) to cut $200 million more from the budget to protect the Senior and Veterans Homestead Exemption. It also created a larger hole to fill in FY 2026-2027 by dipping into the state’s reserve in FY 2025-2026. Finally, it turned off over $1 billion in tax credits for families, taking money out of the pockets of hardworking Coloradans. 

Second, TABOR limits how much Colorado can invest in government services each year, and there is a constitutional requirement to pass a balanced budget. When the costs to provide state services grow faster than the amount of money the state can spend each year under TABOR, then cuts have to be made. Medicaid costs, prison caseload, and utilization of core services continue to grow substantially more than what the state can spend and what program experts previously forecast.

Third, Medicaid costs are exploding year over year, far beyond what was forecast by nonpartisan legislative staff. Medicaid is growing at nearly nine percent per year, while TABOR constrains budget growth to about 3.2 percent for next year’s budget.

Medicaid spending is increasing primarily due to inflation and higher costs for existing benefits, higher utilization of services, and higher provider rates, not new benefits or services. The largest growth has been in long-term care, prescription drug coverage, and pediatric behavioral health. 

To close the $1.2 billion budget deficit and deliver a balanced, bipartisan budget, lawmakers reduced health care spending, including a $270 million reduction in Medicaid reimbursement rates and some services. This is in addition to the $90 million lawmakers already cut from Medicaid earlier this year. 

Additionally, lawmakers reallocated $570 million that was previously invested in state programs or services, lowered the state’s reserve by $340 million, and made $150 million in cuts across smaller state departments. Lawmakers found additional savings in state employee compensation and held contractor rates flat to save $120 million, reduced health disparity grants and water quality programs by $4.5 million, and made $9.3 million in caseload-based reductions to the early intervention programs at the Department of Early Childhood. 

One of the more difficult cuts for the JBC was to limit reimbursements to family members who serve as caregivers of Medicaid recipients. At 56 hours per week starting in 2027, reimbursement for family members who serve as caregivers in Colorado will remain one of the most generous in the country. Many states only reimburse up to 10 hours. Lawmakers also made a reduction to the Cover All Coloradans program, which provides health care to pregnant people and young children, by reducing benefits. 

The budget package will now advance to third reading and final passage in the Senate.

Committee Approves Bill to Make Property Insurance More Affordable

SB26-155 would help homeowners fortify their roofs against costly wind and hailstorms

DENVER, CO – The Senate Finance Committee today passed a bill to stabilize Colorado’s homeowners insurance market and mitigate the impacts of natural disasters.

SB26-155, sponsored by Senators Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, would create a grant program to fortify roofs against costly wind and hail damage in order to make property insurance more affordable.

"This bill is about saving Coloradans money and preventing costly hail and wind damage that raises prices for everyone," said Mullica. “Homeowners insurance premiums have skyrocketed in recent years, squeezing household budgets and costing families thousands each year. This bill is a commonsense approach to reduce costs and make Colorado homes more resilient and disaster-ready for years to come.”

“Hardening homes against hail and wind doesn’t just protect the family inside, it lowers costs for every policyholder in the state,” Marchman said. “Colorado ranks in the top 10 most expensive homeowners insurance markets and hail is driving more than half of premiums in communities like mine. If we are serious about affordability, we have to be serious about reducing the losses that are pushing rates up. This bill does that.“

Colorado homeowners insurance rates are some of the highest in the nation and have doubled from 2020 to 2025. The Division of Insurance recently found that hail damage accounts for an average of 26 percent to 54 percent of an annual homeowners insurance premium and that hail mitigation has the potential to save consumers an average of $82 to $387 per year.

SB26-155 would create the Strengthen Colorado Homes Enterprise in the Division of Insurance to implement a grant program to help homeowners fortify their roofs against wind and hailstorms. The Enterprise would collect a fee from insurers that offer multiperil homeowners insurance policies and use the revenue to provide grants to homeowners to retrofit residential properties with resilient roof systems. The Enterprise would be governed by a seven member board that includes the Colorado Insurance Commissioner, experts in home hardening, and members to represent interests of insurers, consumers, and counties. 

Beginning in 2027, the insurer fee imposed and collected by the Enterprise would be an amount equal to 0.5 percent of the total premium collected by an insurer on multiperil homeowners insurance policies in the preceding calendar year. The insurer may not surcharge the fee amount to policyholders. Under the bill, an insurer offering multiperil homeowners insurance in the state will be required to demonstrate in their rate filings that savings from the installation of resilient roof systems are passed through to homeowners through discounts or reduced premiums on their insurance policies.

Additionally, the bill would require the Enterprise and the Division of Insurance to conduct a study to analyze insurance risk in high-risk wildfire areas of the state. The study would include an analysis of market competition in high-risk wildfire areas, the impact of a high-risk program on potential losses, and the availability of homeowners insurance in those areas.

SB26-155 now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.