Legislation to Improve Training and Response for Missing College Students Goes Into Effect

SB26-120 creates uniform procedures for the critical hours after a college student goes missing

DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation to improve response time, coordination, and training for when a college student goes missing goes into effect August 12, 2026. 

SB26-120, sponsored by Senators Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Katie Wallace, D-Longmont, will require peace officers seeking or renewing their Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification to undergo missing person alerts training. It also creates new, standardized protocols for higher education institutions to minimize delays and ensure best practices when a student goes missing. 

“I brought forward this bill in partnership with the brave families who have lived through the unthinkable – their child going missing, on or off a Colorado college campus,” said Marchman. “This new, bipartisan law ensures that our peace officers are trained to properly use the full range of missing persons alert systems. It also creates a clear, consistent process for colleges and universities to respond quickly, protect students, and ensure families get the answers they need.”

“When a loved one goes missing, every minute matters, and any delay or confusion is unacceptable,” said Wallace. “Before this law, college students could fall through the cracks. This law creates clear protocols for colleges and universities when a student is reported missing and ensures officers are trained to act with urgency and precision during those critical first hours.” 

Under the bill, the required training for peace officers during POST certification and recertification will include training on Amber Alerts, Silver Alerts, Blue Alerts, and the State Emergency Alert System. 

SB26-120 also requires that when a student is reported missing, a higher education institution must immediately inform law enforcement or conduct a structured internal search for up to six hours. This includes digital contact, a residential check if the student lives in on-campus housing, inquiry to available faculty and staff, and emergency contact outreach. Institutions must document this process, retain records for three years, and publish this policy publicly. If a student is not found within six hours, or if there is credible evidence of risk, the institution must immediately notify campus police or the nearest law enforcement agency, if the institution does not have its own police department.

Effective August 12: Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent Harms Caused by Addictive Sports Betting

DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation to prevent harms caused by addictive sports betting practices will go into effect on August 12. 

SB26-131, sponsored by Senator Matt Ball, D-Denver, addresses problems arising from the growing online sports betting industry by implementing guardrails around impulsive online betting.

“Pernicious algorithms and advertisements are increasingly preying on vulnerable online sports bettors,” said Ball. “Since Colorado’s legalization of online sports betting in 2019, technology has rapidly transformed the industry, catching more and more people in the cycle of devastating gambling addiction. As online sports betting continues its rise in popularity, we must ensure there are reasonable protections in place to help prevent addiction, protect underage Coloradans, and uphold the integrity of the game and its athletes.”

The law, cosponsored by Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, aims to curb addictive sports betting habits by implementing a limit of six deposits per customer within a continuous 24-hour period and restricting the use of credit cards for sports betting accounts.

To help prevent marketing to minors, the new law will prohibit a sports betting operation or their marketing affiliates from targeting Coloradans who are under twenty one years old or advertising when a majority of the demographic audience is reasonably expected to be under twenty one years old.

To better assess the impact of online sports betting across Colorado, the law will require sports betting operators to annually report transactional data and metrics to the Gaming Division within the Department of Revenue, beginning February 1, 2028. A public report on the data will be published by the Gaming Division every three years, beginning January 1, 2029.

In 2019, voters approved Proposition DD to legalize sports betting in Colorado. In 2025, more than $6.3 billion was wagered in online sports bets in the state, a 130 percent increase from 2020. The growth has been especially pronounced among young men, with 36 percent of boys aged 11 to 17 reporting that they have gambled in the past year.

JOINT RELEASE: Law to Establish Guardrails for AI in Healthcare Goes into Effect

DENVER, CO – New legislation to ensure patients’ continued access to mental healthcare provided by a licensed human professional will go into effect on August 12. 

“AI chatbots are being mistaken by patients as legitimate therapy, which is why we’re stepping up to ensure Coloradans are protected and informed,” said Rep. Gretchen Rydin, D-Littleton. “Going into effect this month, HB26-1195 establishes reasonable protective measures on AI use in mental and behavioral health care, including prohibiting the use of AI to independently provide therapy to a patient. This law does not hamper licensed professionals’ use of AI for administrative purposes, but does require all clinical treatment and psychotherapy to be administered by a licensed, human provider.”

“No AI-generated algorithm can replace the expertise, nuance, and connection that human healthcare professionals utilize to treat their patients,” said Sen. Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton. “With this new law, we’re establishing necessary guardrails to ensure proper access to quality care for those who need it most.”

“Human-centered care should be at the forefront of healthcare in Colorado,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “AI chatbots are biased, unlicensed tools, and they should not be used for therapy and treatment recommendations without oversight and transparency. Without this law, there is no clinical standard for AI chatbots, which can ultimately harm patients’ access to high-quality healthcare. This law protects patients while still allowing providers to take advantage of AI tools for administrative tasks.”

“As policymakers, we cannot let chatbots, several of which are currently facing major lawsuits due to wrongful and horrifying deaths, replace certified mental health providers,” said Sen. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “Some AI models serve as bad actors claiming to offer low-cost care – but this new law puts guardrails in place to ensure patients receive the quality, human care they deserve.”

HB26-1195 sets standards in clinical settings, limiting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to administrative tasks with oversight by a licensed professional. Providers must disclose the use of AI for supplementary support, such as recording or transcribing meetings. To ensure patients receive legitimate behavioral healthcare, this new law makes sure that psychotherapy is human-delivered by a licensed professional, such as a social worker, psychologist or addiction counselor. 

To protect consumers and ensure access to quality care, this legislation will prohibit AI chatbots from being marketed to patients as equivalent to a licensed psychotherapist or counselor. AI chatbots will also be barred from implying patient input is covered by commonplace confidentiality protections like HIPAA. 

In 2025, researchers at Stanford University recommended that Large Language Models (LLMs), which power AI chatbots, “should not replace therapists.” Additionally, researchers concluded that “LLMs express stigma toward those with mental health conditions and respond inappropriately to certain common (and critical) conditions.” 

Top AI companies, including OpenAI, Google, and Character.AI, are all facing lawsuits from families after AI chatbots recommended suicide to a person seeking behavioral health advice or support. Last year, parents of children who died by suicide testified before Congress, stating AI chatbots discouraged their teens from seeking support.

Law to Create Fairer County Commissioner Maps Goes Into Effect

DENVER, CO –  A new law to improve the county commissioner redistricting process goes into effect August 12, 2026. 

HB26-1038, the County Commissioner Redistricting Integrity Act, is sponsored by Senator Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, and Representatives Amy Paschal, D-Colorado Springs, and Chad Clifford, D-Centennial. It ensures that redistricting for county commissioner districts is done fairly, without influence from sitting county commissioners. 

“Voters should choose their representatives – not the other way around,” said Snyder. “Under current law, county commissioners can draw their own district maps, creating a clear conflict of interest. This new law is a win for Coloradans, ensuring that county commissioner redistricting will be done in a fair and impartial manner by an independent commission, with opportunities for community input.”  

“Elected officials should not be able to draw their own maps to benefit themselves, and this law maintains local control while requiring independence in the county commissioner redistricting process,” said Paschal. “Representative democracy matters, and this law will help create a fairer, more equitable county commissioner redistricting process that better represents the county’s voters.” 

“Our law strengthens public trust and input in the county commissioner redistricting process, so the voice of Coloradans is front and center,” said Clifford. “Representative democracy matters, which is why this law restricts county commissioners from drawing their own district maps and choosing who is allowed to vote for each candidate.” 

Under current law, county commissioners' maps are the only partisan political office not drawn by an independent redistricting commission, meaning elected county commissioners can draw their own district maps. 

HB26-1038 improves transparency and integrity while upholding local control. It requires the redistricting committee that draws the district maps to be independent of the board of county commissioners and have a bipartisan composition to ensure fair districts are drawn. 

The independent commission will be required to create and make available a competitiveness formula for public comment.

The board of county commissioners may reject a district map that does not meet statutory requirements. The board also retains the ability to remove members from the independent redistricting commission if they are disruptive or insufficiently engaged.

JOINT RELEASE: New Laws to Protect Coloradans’ Rights Amid Federal Rollbacks Go Into Effect

Legislation will insulate nonprofits, shore up protections in education and housing

DENVER, CO – On August 12, three new laws to shore up Coloradans’ rights as the federal government rolls back key protections will go into effect. 

SB26-009, sponsored by Senators Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, and William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield, and House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Representative Rebekah Stewart, D-Lakewood, will ensure that nonprofit organizations that have lost their federal tax-exempt status for politically motivated reasons remain exempt from state sales tax. 
“Nonprofit organizations in our state are cornerstones of their communities, supporting countless Coloradans through difficult times,” said Snyder. “Chaos in the federal government threatens to upend these organizations’ ability to serve their communities. This new law offers much-needed stability and dependability to charitable groups across our state.”

“Trump’s politically motivated attacks are threatening the ability of non-profits in Colorado to serve and support their communities,” said McCluskie. “Our new law protects nonprofits, ensuring that they continue to benefit from tax exemptions in our state, no matter what changes at the federal level. From safeguarding reproductive rights to creating affordable housing opportunities, nonprofits in Colorado deeply benefit our communities, and with this law, we have their back.” 

“H.R. 1 slashed our state budget in favor of corporate tax breaks, which means the services and support nonprofits offer are now more important than ever to our communities,” said Stewart. “Nonprofit organizations are under threat from the federal government, and this law makes sure Colorado’s nonprofits do not lose their tax-exempt status.” 
“Political retribution from the federal government could throw essential nonprofit organizations and the Colorado families who rely on them into chaos and financial distress,” said Lindstedt. “This legislation will fulfill our state’s responsibility to offer stability to valid charitable organizations amidst federal turbulence.”

SB26-009 will ensure that valid 501(c)(3) organizations maintain their state tax exemption if the federal government removes their federal tax-exempt status for political reasons. It will also ensure that the state maintains its authority to deny tax exemption for organizations that have lost their federal nonprofit status for legitimate reasons. 

Since January 2025, Colorado nonprofits have increasingly struggled to navigate frenzied federal actions that call into question their budgetary futures and ability to serve their communities. 

HB26-1045, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, and Senator Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, and Representatives Chad Clifford, D-Centennial, and Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins, will protect equal housing opportunity for Coloradans with disabilities. 
“After the federal government repealed existing protections for Coloradans with disabilities, we’re stepping in to reinstate those protections,” said Kipp. “Tenants who rely on service animals deserve equal access to housing, and this new law ensures that access remains in Colorado.”

“Plain and simple: Coloradans with disabilities deserve equal access to housing,” said Clifford. “In contrast to the Trump Administration’s continued attacks, our law protects tenants who rely on service animals by making sure they are not turned away from housing opportunities. Service animals provide life-saving support to Coloradans with disabilities, and this law protects tenants.” 
“Every Coloradan deserves equal access to housing,” said Danielson. “One of my top priorities during my time in the legislature has been to strengthen protections for Coloradans with disabilities. This new law is a continuation of that work, ensuring that those who depend on service animals do not face discriminatory barriers to housing.”

“Colorado Democrats are stepping up to strengthen protections for Coloradans with disabilities from Trump’s continued attacks,” said Zokaie. “Relying on a service animal should not jeopardize your housing, which is why our new law protects Coloradans from certain housing discrimination. Everyone deserves to have a safe, comfortable place to call home and our law protects Coloradans.” 

HB26-1045 establishes the presumption that live-in service animals are a reasonable accommodation for tenants with disabilities, and a complete prohibition of live-in service animals by landlords is a discriminatory housing practice. Under the law, landlords will be entitled to an interactive accommodation process to ensure dialogue between tenants and landlords. The law will also define “assistance animal” and “emotional support animal” to provide clarity for housing providers and Coloradans with disabilities and to reduce litigation.
In May 2026, the Trump Administration formally narrowed the definition of an “assistance animal” allowed to live with disabled tenants. The definition was effective immediately. 

Last year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development rescinded federal guidelines that outlined the rights that people with disabilities have regarding service animals under the Fair Housing Act. These guidelines also helped landlords, property managers and tenants understand how to distinguish between service animals and Emotional Support Animals. The repeal of these guidelines has created confusion regarding the rights of Coloradans with disabilities and what reasonable accommodations housing providers must provide.

HB26-1141, sponsored by House Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, and Senators Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, will prevent discrimination in public schools based on disability, race, sexual orientation and other protected classes.

“In Colorado, we believe that students deserve protections if they experience discrimination based on their skin color, sexual orientation and disability,” said Bacon. “As the Trump Administration slashes funding for the federal Office of Civil Rights, the time is now to strengthen civil rights protections to protect students in Colorado. Our schools should be a safe place for students to learn and grow, and together we’re creating a positive learning environment for all students.”
“Colorado students are as diverse as the state itself, and that diversity is a strength that we must protect, especially in the face of ongoing threats to the federal Office of Civil Rights,” said Marchman. “With this new law, we are following through on that commitment by ensuring equal treatment for protected classes – which now includes those who are pregnant – in school and after-school programs.”

“Students, faculty, and families deserve to know with complete certainty that if they experience discrimination in public schools, Colorado stands behind them, even if the federal government will not,” said Kolker. “This new law is a part of our holistic, 360-degree approach to supporting students of all backgrounds and ensuring that Colorado is a place where all students can learn and grow in a safe environment.”

HB26-1141 prohibits public K-12 schools, higher education institutions and their employees from discriminating based on a protected class, like disability, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and national origin. The law also adds pregnancy and prenatal status to the definition of “harassment and discrimination" in K-12 public schools.

The law outlines discrimination in K-12 schools and higher education institutions as denying a person the full and equal enjoyment of a public accommodation when the school:

• Excludes a student from participating in school programs or activities,

• Denies educational services, benefits, or opportunities to a student without a legitimate, non-discriminatory basis and treats the student differently than a similar student, and

• Fails to take prompt and effective steps to address a complaint that they have created a hostile environment based on a protected class.

The Colorado Civil Rights Division is able to create rules specifically for how to address these types of complaints.

Higher education institutions, including community and technical colleges, will be required to establish a discrimination complaint process. They will also be required to designate a Title VI coordinator to ensure compliance with the law and Title VI, educate students and employees about the complaint process, manage and respond to grievances and publish data on violations.

Since Trump started his second term, he has slashed the US Department of Education’s workforce by nearly 50 percent, including firing half of the staff in the Office for Civil Rights and closing seven of the 12 regional offices, costing taxpayers over $28 million. The Office of Civil Rights leads investigations of discrimination at schools and higher education institutions across the country. He also moved oversight of special education and civil rights to other agencies.

Assistant Majority Leader Bacon and Senator Marchman previously passed a law that clearly defines what is considered harassment and discrimination in Colorado’s K-12 public schools. They also passed a law in 2024 that ensures that schools and educators have trauma-informed resources to support youth against harassment and discrimination.

All three bills join a host of actions Colorado Democrats have taken to protect Coloradans’ way of life amid federal threats.

JOINT RELEASE: SB25-003 Goes Into Effect

DENVER, CO – SB25-003, sponsored by Senators Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, and Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, and Representative Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, goes into effect August 1, 2026.

The law requires a permit and firearm safety training to purchase high-powered firearms that accept detachable magazines. It also prohibits the purchase and sale of all rapid fire conversion devices, like bump stocks and binary triggers.

“High-capacity magazines are what put the ‘mass’ into mass shootings, which is why over a decade ago Colorado Democrats passed legislation to prohibit magazines that hold over 15 rounds of ammunition,” said Sullivan. “This law further enforces that ban. It will save lives and increase safety for all Coloradans. The people of Colorado have mandated that we do something about the public health crisis that is gun violence, so that’s exactly what we're doing.”

“As gun violence continues to devastate communities across Colorado, Colorado Democrats are again taking action to prevent future tragedies,” said Boesenecker. “When semiautomatic weapons and high-capacity magazines get into the wrong hands, it presents a major threat to the health and safety of our communities. With this law going into effect soon, we’re taking another step to prevent senseless violence in our communities and save countless lives.”

“Gun violence continues to have devastating effects on Colorado communities, and we must do more to protect lives,” said Gonzales. “The firearm industry’s profits come, time and again, at the expense of public safety. Something has to change. Senate Bill 3 is about holding firearm manufacturers to account and enforcing the law we have had on the books for more than a decade. I’m honored to join Senator Sullivan on this legislation and in his work to reduce gun violence in Colorado.”

“This gun violence prevention law answers the call to action from our neighbors and will save lives,” said Froelich. “We know that semiautomatic weapons become especially deadly when they are paired with high-capacity magazines, which is why Colorado Democrats passed a 2013 law to prohibit those high-capacity magazines. We’ve raised a generation on lockdown drills, and 1 in 15 people have experienced a mass shooting. This law will help save lives and prevent more Coloradans from having to go through the pain of losing a loved one to senseless gun violence.”

"Colorado is proving that passing a strong gun safety law is only the beginning. Successful implementation is what transforms policy on paper into lives saved,” said Justin Wagner, senior vice president of law and policy at Everytown for Gun Safety. “As Senate Bill 3 takes effect, Colorado has built a clear, workable system that helps ensure the people purchasing high-powered firearms have completed safety training and passed a thorough background check. This law gives states across the country a roadmap for implementing innovative policies that keep communities safe while providing clarity for responsible gun purchasers, retailers, and law enforcement.”

“Students have grown up practicing active shooter drills while watching communities across Colorado be forever changed by preventable gun violence,” said Norah Krause, leader with Colorado Students Demand Action. “With Senate Bill 3 now in effect, our state is putting stronger safeguards in place to help keep the most lethal firearms out of dangerous hands. Young people fought for this law because we refuse to accept gun violence as a normal part of growing up, and we’ll keep organizing until every student can learn without fear.”

“This law is taking effect because survivors, volunteers, students, and lawmakers refused to accept that mass shootings are inevitable,” said Kathy Hagen, lead with the Colorado chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Colorado families deserve to know that there are meaningful safeguards in place before someone can purchase the firearms most often used in our country's deadliest mass shootings. This marks another important step toward a safer Colorado.”

SB25-003 requires a person who wants to purchase certain specified semiautomatic firearms to first obtain a permit, which requires undergoing a background check and completing a firearm safety training course that includes instruction on safe usage and storage of these firearms, federal and state firearm laws, and a demonstrated ability to safely handle these devices.

The law does not impact the sale of manual-action shotguns, lever- or bolt-action rifles, commonly used hunting rifles, semiautomatic firearms that have fixed magazines, or any revolvers or recoil operated handguns, which make up well over 90 percent of the handgun market. While SB25-003 requires a permit to purchase gas-operated semiautomatic pistols that accept detachable magazines, those types of pistols are relatively uncommon. The law does not impact possession of currently-owned specified semiautomatic firearms.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has published a guide on how to purchase a specified semiautomatic firearm in accordance with the new law. This resource includes guidance, prepared by the Department of Revenue, of which makes and models fall within the law’s definition of "specified semiautomatic firearms.

In response to the 2013 Aurora theater shooting, Colorado Democrats passed legislation that prohibited the sale and transfer of magazines that hold more than 15 rounds of ammunition. Semiautomatic weapons and high-capacity magazines have been used in numerous mass shootings in Colorado, including the 2021 Boulder King Soopers shooting, the 2022 Club Q shooting, and the Columbine High School massacre. SB25-003 enforces Colorado’s existing high-capacity magazine ban by adding safeguards prior to the purchase of the types of semiautomatic weapons that are most lethal when paired with a high-capacity magazine. 

SB25-003 was signed into law by Governor Polis on April 10, 2025.

JOINT RELEASE: Laws to Bolster Outdoor Recreation and Limit Human-Bear Conflict Go Into Effect

DENVER, CO – Two new laws to keep Colorado’s outdoors safe and accessible will go into effect on August 12. HB26-1008 will support outdoor recreation and rural economies, and HB26-1342 helps minimize human-bear conflicts. 

“On the Western Slope, outdoor recreation is at the heart of our economy, and these new laws keep Colorado wild while promoting this industry for generations to come,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, sponsor of HB26-1008 and HB26-1342. “Our law balances the needs of conservation efforts, agriculture, and private landowners as we steward our open spaces and support outdoor recreation in Colorado. We’re also taking steps to minimize human-bear conflicts by addressing the human behavior that attracts bears to campsites and outdoor recreation hubs. The outdoors is meant to be enjoyed by everyone, and these laws protect the landscapes we love.” 

“No agency is better positioned to uphold recreation, conservation, and outdoor safety than Colorado Parks and Wildlife,” said Sen. Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, sponsor of HB26-1008 and HB26-1342. “HB26-1008 gives them the coordinating capacity to engage partners, collaborate with tribal governments, and deliver the kind of strategic, integrated management that keeps Colorado’s outdoors from being loved to death. We’re also empowering CPW to deter irresponsible behavior, like knowingly leaving out food, that leads to dangerous human-bear interactions.”

Colorado public lands support a $65.8 billion outdoor recreation economy. HB26-1008 directs stewards of our lands to collaborate with stakeholders from all different land-use backgrounds, from wildlife and natural resource advocates to agricultural communities and private landowners. Specifically, this law formalizes Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s (CPW) role in leading Colorado’s outdoors strategy to support conservation, outdoor recreation, and climate resilience in the state.

HB26-1008 proactively streamlines planning and management so that the state can continue to provide high-quality experiences to all outdoor users. CPW manages 43 state parks and over 350 wildlife areas, covering roughly 900,000 acres in Colorado. As the lead coordinator, CPW will ensure outdoor recreation needs are well-represented in its leadership and increase coordination to anticipate and respond to potential conflicts.

“Human-bear interactions are up 15 percent in Colorado, which means we need to do more to keep visitors and the bear population safe,” said Rep. Katie Stewart, D-Durango, sponsor of HB26-1342. “Imagine showing up to a campsite that’s been completely trashed. Not only is it disheartening, but it’s also dangerous. According to CPW, the majority of human-bear interactions were related to exposed trash or food waste, which means we need to step up and make food undetectable to bears. This law boosts CPW’s enforcement mechanisms so we can limit human-bear interactions, and ultimately, reduce costly relocations and euthanizations of these native animals.” 

HB26-1342 helps minimize human-bear conflicts in Colorado by enhancing CPW’s authority to deter human behaviors that attract bears, specifically leaving edible garbage uncovered and accessible. CPW may still issue penalties even if no human-bear conflict occurs, so long as there is a reasonable probability of luring a wild bear.

HB26-1342 expands misdemeanor offenses to include knowingly placing food or edible waste in the open, meaning CPW no longer must prove that an individual is intentionally luring bears. It also raises the penalty for third or subsequent offenses of luring bears from $2,000 to $5,000 to strengthen deterrence of human behavior that leads to conflicts with bears.

Human-bear conflicts are rising. CPW received 5,022 bear reports in 2024 and 5,229 in 2025. According to CPW, this is a 15-percent increase in conflicts and interactions over the last six years. Of the 17,000-20,000 bears in Colorado, the majority of incident reports involve bears trying to access human food sources. Last year, 57-percent of the sightings were linked to edible trash, 18-percent to livestock, chickens and beehives, and 16-percent to bird seed, pet food, barbeque grills, coolers and refrigerators. Of the 5,299 reports CPW received in 2025, 2,448 resulted in property damage to a shed, garage, home, vehicle or fence.

In 2024, 68 black bears were relocated and 98 were euthanized because of incidents with humans. That same year, CPW spent nearly 6,000 hours of staff time and nearly $800,000 in supplies, grants, and salaries responding to human-bear conflicts. 

JOINT RELEASE: Laws to Improve Behavioral and Emergency Healthcare Access Go Into Effect

DENVER, CO – Three new laws to improve healthcare access in Colorado go into effect on August 12. HB26-1002 expands access to behavioral health care by modernizing credentialing processes for providers, and HB26-1238 designates EMS as an essential component of Colorado’s health care system.

“Even with insurance, Coloradans still face gaps in coverage and are often forced to pay out-of-pocket for behavioral health care,” said Rep. Lindsay Gilchrist, D-Denver, sponsor of HB26-1002. “Our new law, going into effect next month, will make it easier for behavioral health providers to enter an insurance network and receive timely reimbursements. This means more Colorado patients will have access to in-network behavioral health care, which saves them money and time when seeking the care they need.” 

“Mental health care is still far too difficult for Coloradans to access, even when they have insurance,” said Sen. Matt Ball, D-Denver, sponsor of HB26-1002. “Coloradans seeking help run into confusion over whether a provider is in-network, outdated contact information that leads to dead ends, and unnecessary barriers that keep qualified providers out of insurance networks. These administrative hurdles cost Coloradans time, money, and in some cases, life-saving care. This new law eliminates barriers so that more Coloradans can get care and more qualified providers can see patients.”

“Behavioral health care is just as important as physical health care, but Colorado patients still face roadblocks to receiving the care they need through their insurance provider,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, sponsor of HB26-1002. “Our law addresses ghost networks, so patients can actually receive the care they’re paying for. We’ve worked hard to improve healthcare access and lower costs for Coloradans, and this law continues our efforts by reducing barriers for certain providers seeking reimbursement, improving licensing requirements for social workers and saving patients money on out-of-pocket care.”

Cosponsored by Sen. Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, HB26-1002 improves access to behavioral health care and substance use disorder treatment by reducing barriers to both providers and patients. Coloradans are nearly eleven times more likely to be forced to rely on costly out-of-network providers when seeking behavioral health care than physical health care. In addition to confusing processes to find providers, insurance companies’ slow, cumbersome, and inconsistent credentialing processes cause delays for providers eager to see patients and patients wait longer to receive care. 

To help address insurance hurdles, save patients money, and reduce wait times for behavioral health care, HB26-1002 enables more types of providers to join insurance networks and ensures qualified, pre-licensed providers receive the reimbursement they deserve. The law also updates licensing requirements for social workers and addresses misleading “ghost networks,” which offer patients contact information for providers not actually covered by their plan. 

HB26-1238 designates EMS, including ambulance and air ambulance services, as essential to protecting public health and safety. Once designated as an essential service, EMS would see reduced barriers to performing their duties, similar to law enforcement and fire departments. 

“No matter the extreme weather or disaster conditions, EMS still shows up to provide emergency, life-saving care to Coloradans in my community,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, sponsor of HB26-1238. “However, despite their importance in rural Colorado, EMS is not designated as an essential service; this law fixes that. Under HB26-1238, EMS will be deemed an essential service, which ensures reimbursement for their life-saving services and improves workforce sustainability. This law reduces strain on our EMS providers and keeps emergency care accessible to Coloradans.” 

“EMS providers and technicians are often the first professionals to respond when Coloradans are facing an emergency, and the state should recognize their expertise and the importance of their work,” said Sen. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield, sponsor of HB26-1238. “This new law uplifts these essential health care workers and removes barriers so they can fulfill their duties to the best of their ability.”

Also sponsored by Representative Dusty Johnson, R-Fort Morgan, and Senator Mark Baisley, R-Woodland Park, this law clarifies operational expectations of EMS during disasters and closures, ensuring that EMS is reimbursed for their travel by expanding permissible uses of existing funds to include EMS. To improve system coordination, HB26-1238 allows licensed ambulance services to participate in telecommunications, mutual aid and interoperable communications systems and receive reimbursement. 

SB26-138 will also go into effect on August 12, 2026. This law, sponsored by Senators Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada and Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton and Representative Katie Stewart, D-Durango, will limit administrative barriers on healthcare facilities and insurance carriers to save time and reduce overhead. 

JOINT RELEASE: Laws to Address Teacher Shortage, Recognize Multilingual Students Go into Effect

DENVER, CO –  New laws to improve educational outcomes will go into effect August 12, 2026. SB26-126 addresses Colorado’s teacher shortage by easing licensure requirements for qualified out-of-state teachers, and HB26-1028 creates opportunities for students who speak more than one language.

SB26-126, sponsored by Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland and Representative Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, will ease requirements and expedite license applications for teachers from states participating in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact.

“Talented educators shouldn’t face excessive barriers to entry when Colorado is already facing a teacher shortage,” said Marchman. “This new law streamlines access to a teaching career in Colorado for educators who are already experienced in a trusted state.”

“This new law makes it easier for experienced, out-of-state teachers to earn a Colorado license to fill workforce gaps and better serve Colorado students,” said Lukens. “As a Western Slope educator, I know how difficult it can be for rural communities to find teachers for crucial positions. With this law going into effect next month, we’re reducing barriers to help Colorado schools fill vacancies faster.”

Cosponsored by Senator Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction, and Representative Dusty Johnson, R-Fort Morgan, the law requires Colorado to enter into reciprocal agreements for teacher licensure with states participating in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, which currently includes 13 states other than Colorado, and expedite licensure applications from teachers moving from those states.

Under previous law, teachers with at least three years of successful, evaluated teaching experience within the previous seven years were eligible for provisional licensure. This law removes the requirement that the experience must be within the previous seven years. 

HB26-1028, sponsored by Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Representatives Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, and Lorena García, D-Unincorporated Adams County, expands access to language proficiency designations to improve educational outcomes for high school students who speak and understand more than one language. 

“Colorado high schoolers who speak more than one language should be able to benefit from this invaluable skill,” said Cutter. “This law creates new opportunities for multilingual students by creating an official designation and increasing access to language proficiency testing, opening doors for higher education, employment, fellowships, and other opportunities they deserve.” 

“When our schools are tailored to students, we equip students with the resources and tools they need to not only get by, but thrive,” said Velasco. “Our law, which goes into effect next month, makes it easier for high school students to earn a bilingualism endorsement. In Colorado, we celebrate the diversity and cultural richness that make our state great. By improving the language proficiency designations, we can make it easier for multilingual students to showcase their skills.”

“There are thousands of multilingual students in Colorado’s public schools, and they deserve recognition,” said García. “Our law establishes a new bilingualism endorsement for multilingual high school students. This designation showcases their talents to future employers, universities and trade schools, which better prepares them for life after high school.”

Effective August 12, the law creates a diploma endorsement for bilingualism, which requires students to speak and understand another language in addition to English. The bill also expands access to the State Seal of Biliteracy, which requires students to showcase their language skills more rigorously through writing exams and reading comprehension. 

Colorado's public schools educate over 114,000 multilingual students. This law will help students display their language skills and set them on a strong pathway for future careers.

JOINT RELEASE: Three Laws to Protect Colorado-Grown Produce, Save Farmers and Ranchers Money Go Into Effect

DENVER, CO – On August 12, a trio of laws to strengthen and support agriculture in Colorado will go into effect. HB26-1031 protects the integrity of Colorado’s agriculture industry from imposter products. HB26-1076 saves farmers money and prevents the spread of livestock disease, and SB26-064 expands opportunities for first-time farmers and ranchers while protecting vital land and water resources.

“This time of year, roadside stands and farmers markets are overflowing with produce, but not every product that says Colorado-grown is actually Colorado-grown,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista, sponsor of HB26-1031. “This new law ensures that vendors who falsely label their produce as Colorado-grown can be held accountable for deceiving consumers and harming Colorado producers. Pueblo green chile and San Luis Valley potatoes are iconic Colorado agricultural products, and no one should be able to slap a ‘Colorado-grown’ label on out-of-state goods. Our law protects local farmers and gives consumers peace of mind.”

“Colorado farmers and ranchers power our economy. These three new laws do the critical work of strengthening and protecting Colorado agriculture,” said Sen. Dylan Roberts, sponsor of HB26-1031, HB26-1067, and SB26-064. “By cracking down on counterfeit out-of-state produce, preventing the spread of livestock disease, and prioritizing startup funds for the next generation of farmers and ranchers, we’re stepping up to ensure our agricultural producers remain the best in the nation for generations to come.”

HB26-1031 protects the integrity of Colorado-made products and ensures Colorado producers are not undercut by mislabeled products imported from out of state. The law prohibits identifying fruits and vegetables as being produced in Colorado when selling, marketing, advertising or distributing the product unless the product is grown in the state. 

Also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta, and Senator Marc Catlin, R-Montrose, the law helps ensure fairness for local producers by cracking down on deceptive trade practices that allow out-of-state products to carry Colorado-made labeling and ensures consumers get what they pay for. 

“In Colorado, we’re working hard for our farmers and ranchers and saving them money,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, sponsor of HB26-1067 and SB26-064. “Two new, ag-specific laws going into effect next month will extend flexibility in the livestock disease management fund and make it easier for first-time farmers to secure loans. Colorado’s ag industry drives our economy, and these laws will make getting started easier for our farmers and ranchers.” 

HB26-1067 saves farmers money and helps prevent the spread of livestock diseases by authorizing the state to fund livestock disease prevention and response measures. Under current law, the fund can only be used to reimburse a farmer or rancher if they are forced to euthanize their livestock after exposure to an infectious or contagious disease. This law adds flexibility to the use of the fund for proactive measures to treat or prevent disease before it damages the herd.

Also sponsored by Representative Ty Winter, R-Trinidad and Senator Bryon Pelton, R-Sterling, renames the fund to the "livestock health preparedness, response, and diseased livestock indemnity" fund to reflect its new role in preventive action and in protecting healthy herds.

SB26-064 will support the new generation of farmers by creating opportunities for them to finance their startup costs. This law will also expand loan eligibility for the Colorado Agricultural Future Loan Program to include water conservation, water, sanitation and irrigation districts, and ditch and reservoir companies. This expansion would make it easier for land stewards to protect vital resources, including water. 

This law, also sponsored by Representative Soper and Senate Minority Leader Cleave Simpson, allows farmers and ranchers to use a financing tool to purchase at-risk farmland and protect it. This would help ensure the long-term protection and preservation of farmland. 

According to the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Colorado is experiencing a nation-leading loss of agricultural land, with 1.6 million acres taken out of production in the last five years. This law aims to protect Colorado’s farmland by making it easier for farmers and ranchers to secure financing.

JOINT RELEASE: Effective August 12: Laws to Improve Safety After Tragic Colorado Deaths

DENVER, CO – Three bills to improve safety, each named after the young victims of tragic deaths in Colorado, will go into effect August 12.

SB26-060, sponsored by Senator Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, and Representative Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial, will help keep student athletes safe by informing coaches and parents of the mental health risks of concussions. 

“As researchers learn more and more about the effects of concussions on our brains and mental health, we must ensure coaches, counselors, families, and athletes know the potential impacts,” Daugherty said. “Education saves lives. This new law, named in honor of the athlete Alyssa Peterson, will help more athletes in their journeys of recovery from concussions.”

“The health and safety of Colorado’s student athletes is a top priority, which is why it is crucial that parents and coaches are aware of the physical symptoms of a concussion to keep children safe,” said Hamrick. “Our new law adds to training for youth coaches so they’re informed about the mental health risks from a concussion sustained by a youth athlete, including anxiety and depression. We’re stepping up to keep our student athletes safe by updating training requirements and spreading awareness to athletes' parents and the community.”

Cosponsored by Senator Rod Pelton, R-Cheyenne Wells, and Representative Ty Winter, R-Trinidad, the law, also known as “Alyssa’s Youth Concussion and Mental Health Protection Act,” requires youth coaches to receive training on a broad spectrum of mental health issues. It is named in honor of Alyssa Peterson, who died by suicide following a series of concussions at age 13. 

Under current law, youth athletic coaches must complete a concussion recognition course and remove an athlete from play if they suspect the athlete has a concussion. They must also inform the athlete’s parents or guardians and advise that the athlete seek an evaluation from a licensed healthcare provider. This law expands the training to include more information on the mental health of youth athletes for coaches at middle, junior and high schools. The mental health education course applies to youth coaches at public and private middle schools, high schools, clubs, leagues and recreation facilities.

Additionally, this law requires coaches to inform parents or guardians of athletes who sustain a concussion of possible changes in their mental health as a result of the concussion. Mental health impacts of a concussion can include mood swings, irritability, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicidal ideation.

HB26-1318, sponsored by Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Representatives Kenny Nguyen, D-Broomfield, and Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, will 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 new law will put in place some commonsense regulations to keep students safe.”

“This law is about creating safer streets for Colorado students,” said Nguyen. “With our law going into effect, our communities can create safer roads for students by using technology to enforce school zone speed limits and modernizing Colorado’s traffic laws. Mitigating traffic accidents will reduce risks for pedestrians and cyclists and help save Colorado lives.”

“Too many parents have suffered the tragic loss or injury of their child because of speeding and distracted drivers, and our law seeks to make roads around Colorado schools safer for all,” said Froelich. “This law, named Liam’s Law in honor of a Littleton student, creates guidelines for school zones and allows local governments to designate roads as walking and cycling corridors to remove the risk of car collisions. Coloradans deserve safe roads, and now, we are giving our communities more tools to strengthen road safety for Colorado students.”

HB26-1318, “the Liam Stewart School Zone Act,” will set roadway signage requirements around schools to strengthen road safety for students and road users. The law will define school zones as all roadways within at least 1,000 feet of a school boundary, and require these roadways to have signage indicating the 1,000-foot school zone 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 law’s process for modifying these boundaries.

Under the law, if a local government wishes to reduce the size of a school zone from its current dimensions, it must first hold a public hearing to ensure the community is aware of this change and given an opportunity to weigh in. The law 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 designate streets adjacent to schools as “school streets,” and may close the school street to vehicles and require vehicles to yield to non-vehicle road users. The maximum speed limit on school streets will be set to 10 miles per hour.

The law 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 law 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.

SB26-132, Magnus’ Law, sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Representative Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, will require law enforcement officers to offer a voluntary alcohol breathalyzer test to drivers involved in motor vehicle crashes that result in death or injury. Law enforcement must advise the individual of their right to refuse the test.

"I've worked with victims of tragedies, especially when I worked as Deputy District Attorney, and I know how important it is to have as much evidence as possible from the scene of a serious crash," Roberts said. "Magnus, his parents, family and community didn't get to have that. But, in his honor, we're making sure that no more Colorado families will have to suffer the consequences of that oversight.”

“We’re improving accountability for those involved in a vehicle crash that results in serious injury or death,” said Joseph. “This law helps ensure that crucial information, like whether or not drugs or alcohol are found in the system of the involved driver, is captured in a timely manner. I am honored to champion Magnus’ Law to honor Magnus White’s legacy and make our roadways safer for all Coloradans.”

The Governor signed SB26-132 on June 4 at a ceremony joined by the family of Magnus White, a 17-year-old cyclist hit and killed by a driver in the summer of 2023.

JOINT RELEASE: Key Provisions of Rideshare Safety and Accountability Act Go Into Effect

HB26-1424 will keep riders and drivers safe by requiring stronger policies and reporting for TNCs

DENVER, CO – On August 12, 2026, provisions of HB26-1424 go into effect to establish new safety requirements for transportation network companies (TNCs), including Uber and Lyft. The Colorado Rideshare Safety and Accountability Act will ensure TNCs have a robust complaint procedure and driver deactivation policy to keep riders safe.

“With the Colorado Rideshare Safety & Accountability Act beginning to take effect, we are taking a big step to keep riders and drivers safe,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “The driver who sexually assaulted me was using an imposter account, and it’s important TNCs take proactive measures to crack down on account sharing. The portion of the law that is going into effect now will remove drivers from rideshare apps while they are being investigated for rider complaints to help prevent potentially dangerous situations. A sexual assault or misconduct happens in a rideshare nearly every eight minutes, and I’m proud of our efforts to make rideshares safer.”

“Too many women are put at risk in rideshares. We must do everything we can to protect people who use these services,” said Sen. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “This law includes measures to require comprehensive vetting, policies against shared driver accounts, and increased accountability for safety complaints to ensure timely protections for drivers and passengers.”

“Coloradans deserve safe, reliable transportation options. Far too many sexual assaults are happening in rideshares, and the Colorado Rideshare Safety & Accountability Act establishes much-needed guidelines to protect riders and drivers,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “This law addresses many of the persistent safety concerns with large rideshares, including imposter accounts, drivers with disqualifying criminal histories and driving records. With the driver deactivation requirement going into effect, we are requiring rideshare companies to investigate drivers who have received rider complaints, ensuring that drivers who have committed serious offenses are quickly removed from the app to keep Coloradans safe.”

“Countless Coloradans rely on rideshare services like Uber and Lyft to get to work, school, medical appointments, and home safely after a night out. For many people these services are not simply a convenience, they are a necessity,” said Sen. Katie Wallace, D-Longmont. “This law sends a clear message: convenience cannot come at the expense of safety, and no rider should have to fear for their wellbeing when they get into a vehicle they are trusting to get them home safely.”

The Colorado Rideshare Safety and Accountability Act (HB26-1424) establishes new safety requirements and policies designed to keep riders and drivers safe. The law will apply to large-scale rideshare companies with more than 20,000 monthly rides and does not apply to HopSkipDrive.

Beginning August 12, 2026, the provision of the law for TNCs to have a robust driver deactivation and suspension policy goes into effect. If a TNC receives a complaint about one of their drivers from either a rider or the Public Utilities Commission, the TNC must initiate a review of the driver for potential deactivation of the driver's account within seven business days of receiving the complaint. TNCs must also review drivers for deactivation if law enforcement notifies the TNC about serious felony allegations against the driver, including allegations of violence, sexual misconduct, or stalking. These deactivation reviews must be conducted by a human reviewer, rather than an algorithm.   

Beginning January 1, 2027, the rest of the law goes into effect. These provisions include:

• Requiring TNCs to procure privately administered background checks on drivers every six months after the initial criminal history record check;

• Cracking down on imposter, shared and rented accounts;

• Strengthening driver vetting and clear disqualifications, including barring drivers with a history of convictions for assault, harassment, kidnapping, menacing, stalking, or domestic violence, or who had previously been caught account sharing from driving with a rideshare company;

• Improving transparency and accountability for TNCs that violate this new law;

• Requiring TNCs to establish and enforce certain policies that prevent assault and homicide, prohibit the transportation of certain unaccompanied minors, require food and beverages offered during a ride to be factory-sealed, educate drivers on new safety policies, prevent crimes against drivers by riders and do not allow the collection of any rider or driver biometric data.

More than 15,500 Uber and Lyft riders and drivers were sexually assaulted between 2017 and 2022. This number only represents the number of sexual assaults that were reported. On average, only 30 percent of sexual assaults are reported. 

Countless instances of sexual assault have happened in Ubers and Lyfts in Colorado, including a former Denver Lyft driver sentenced to 290 years in prison last year for charges related to kidnapping, sexual assault, and attempted sexual assault of more than a dozen women over four years. 

In 2024, an Aurora Lyft driver was sentenced to nine years in prison for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. Earlier this year, an Arvada Uber driver was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault against a passenger. Arvada police believe there are likely more victims in this case, as the driver used multiple vehicles over his more than 1,000 rides.

JOINT RELEASE: Laws Go Into Effect to Strengthen Victim Protections, Protect Older Coloradans from Being Scammed

DENVER, CO – On August 12, 2026, two laws to protect vulnerable Coloradans will go into effect. HB26-1017 prevents insurance companies from receiving victim restitution payments and HB26-1110 helps prevent older and vulnerable Coloradans from being scammed out of their hard-earned money.

“We’re prioritizing people in Colorado law by removing insurance companies from the definition of victim in criminal restitution payments, said Rep. Cecelia Espenoza, D-Denver, sponsor of HB26-1017. “This law is now going into effect to clarify that unless an insurer is a direct victim, the method of seeking financial recovery is in civil courts.”

“Restitution should be reserved for victims of crime so they can get their life back on track – not to further pad the pockets of insurance companies,” said Sen. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB26-1017. “Insurance companies that have paid out claims following a crime are not victims, they are financial institutions designed to balance risk and loss. This law creates clarity and consistency for restitution decisions going forward.”“Restitution often becomes an unpayable debt that traps families in cycles of poverty and makes successful reentry harder,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB26-1017. “Insurance companies are sophisticated financial institutions that are structurally designed to absorb risk and loss, and granting them restitution serves no rehabilitative purpose. Our law makes insurance companies ineligible to receive restitution in criminal contexts.”

Previously, Colorado statutes allowed insurers of a victim of a crime to receive restitution payments in criminal cases. HB26-1017 prohibits insurance companies from receiving these restitution payments by removing them from the definition of “victim”. Insurers are still able to recover losses through the civil court system.

Last year, the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled that a defendant in a drunk driving car accident incident was not liable for paying a car insurance company for damages to the victim’s car, however multiple judges have questioned whether lawmakers intended to allow insurance companies to seek restitution payments when they passed a 2003 law to clarify when it is appropriate for an insurance company to pursue crime victim restitution or a civil lawsuit. HB26-1017 clarifies in Colorado statute that insurers could not receive criminal restitution payments.

HB26-1110, the Adults’ Security and Safeguards from Exploitations in Transactions Act (ASSET Act), helps prevent older Coloradans and other vulnerable people from being defrauded by scammers.

“Rapidly changing technology has increased elder fraud by 46 percent, which has had devastating consequences on older Coloradans who have spent their whole lives building up their savings,” said Rep. Sean Camacho, D-Denver, sponsor of HB26-1110. “Banks, credit unions and other financial institutions are well-positioned to notice when a withdrawal or transfer looks suspicious, allowing them to step in when they think their client is being scammed. With our law going into effect, we are fighting back against financial exploitation, protecting Coloradans from being scammed out of their hard-earned money.”

“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 Sen. Jessie Danielson, D-Lakewood, sponsor of HB26-1110. “This law 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.”

“Scams are more sophisticated than they have ever been before. Scammers specifically target seniors, who often live on a fixed income, costing them nearly $75 million in 2024 alone,” said Rep. Jamie Jackson, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB26-1110. “We believe that taking the extra time to examine suspicious banking activity could be the difference that protects Coloradans' money. This law will not only protect vulnerable Coloradans from fraud, but it will also help prevent fraud by improving education around scams.”

Beginning August 12, 2026, the law requires bank and credit union professionals to notify authorities and pause transactions for additional review if they have reason to believe that their client is the victim of financial exploitation. Also sponsored by Sen. Marc Catlin, R-Montrose, the law offers 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 Coloradans experiencing fraud, the average amount lost per scam was almost $24,000 per person.

In 2025, Colorado Democrats passed a law, also sponsored by Rep. Jackson, 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.

JOINT RELEASE: Laws to Protect Children Online, Improve Support for Vulnerable Children Go Into Effect

DENVER, CO – On August 12, 2026, two laws will go into effect to improve the safety of Colorado children. SB26-011 will improve public safety by enforcing digital warrant response timelines for online platforms and HB26-1142 will improve support for children through child advocacy centers (CACs) as they navigate trauma, maltreatment, and abuse.

“As a former Deputy District Attorney, I saw firsthand how critical digital evidence can be in serious criminal investigations, and how navigating situations of abuse and neglect can affect kids who don’t have adequate support,” said Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, sponsor of SB26-011 and HB26-1142. “By improving data sharing between online companies and law enforcement, as well as bolstering services provided by child advocacy centers, these new laws will ensure evidence is collected in a timely manner and will improve support for the kids who need it the most.”“This law ensures that digital search warrants are taken seriously so families can hold bad actors accountable for dangerous online activity,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of SB26-011 and HB26-1142. “Weak requirements around delivering digital evidence make it nearly impossible for victims and their families to seek justice. By requiring social media companies to respond to search warrants in a timely manner, we can improve pathways to justice and protect our communities from further harm.”

SB26-011, also sponsored by Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell, R-Monument, and Senator Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, will establish and enforce specific requirements for how large online social media platforms must receive, acknowledge, and respond to search warrants issued by Colorado courts.

The law covers social media websites, online services, or mobile applications that have at least one million discrete monthly users, allow users to create profiles, and allow users to create or share content.

Under the law, these platforms must have a clear process for communication with law enforcement, provide a staffed hotline available to law enforcement 24/7, provide status updates on warrant compliance, and prominently post contact information for search warrant compliance on their homepage. They must also acknowledge receipt of a search warrant within eight hours and comply within 72 hours in most cases.  These requirements will be enforced by the Attorney General or local district attorneys.

HB26-1142, also known as the Colorado Child Advocacy Center Act, defines clear and consistent guardrails across CACs, reinforcing child-focused, trauma-informed coordination between CACs and law enforcement as they move through investigation, treatment, and prosecution processes.

“Colorado children deserve a strong foundation to build a successful future, and our law will strengthen their support system within child advocacy centers so advocates can better provide the trauma-informed care that they need,” continued Speaker Pro Tempore Boesenecker. “Child advocacy centers are a crucial lifeline for kids who are victims of alleged abuse or maltreatment. By defining CACs in statute, we can ensure the best people are in the room to support children moving through intense health, emotional, and legal processes. With this bipartisan law going into effect, we can improve protections for children and their hardworking advocates.”

“Child advocacy centers already support thousands of children across the state, and this legislation serves to strengthen the tools they have,” said Sen. Matt Ball, D-Denver, sponsor of HB26-1142. “More collaboration, more support, and more resources afforded by this legislation will ultimately allow them to better support Colorado’s most vulnerable.”

Also sponsored by Rep. Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, HB26-1142 defines the members of multidisciplinary advocacy teams within CACs to include a member of a law enforcement agency, a district attorney or assistant district attorney, a member of the county department’s child protective services unit, a local mental health provider, a local health care provider, a victim advocate, and CAC staff.

The law reduces barriers for county departments of human services and CAC multidisciplinary team members to share critical information while maintaining a child-focused approach to a case. It also offers civil and criminal immunity for CAC advocates for sharing relevant information between multidisciplinary teams and county departments and civil immunity for CAC board members, staff and volunteers for actions taken in good faith. Clarifying the exact permissible uses of sensitive information will better protect the child and the advocacy team. 

CACs provide services to children and their families in the case of abuse. These services can include medical evaluations, mental health treatment, assistance navigating the judicial system and child abuse prevention. There are 19 CACs across the state that have served nearly 6,000 Colorado children.

JOINT RELEASE: Laws to Make Housing More Affordable and Ensure Quality Drinking Water Go Into Effect

DENVER, CO – Laws to boost workforce housing development, improve water quality standards in mobile home parks, and reduce homelessness go into effect August 12, 2026. 

SB26-001, sponsored by Senators Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, and Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, allows counties to use existing resources to support workforce and affordable housing, removing outdated restrictions that limit their ability to respond to local housing needs. 

“I’m proud of this law to unlock local governments’ ability to meet their own housing needs,” said Roberts. “This law will cut red tape and give counties, municipalities, and housing authorities more tools to help them build and maintain housing for more working families and individuals. This means more opportunities for Coloradans to stay in their communities and stable housing for the workers who keep our rural and mountain towns running.”

“Coloradans deserve to be able to live where they work, and with this law going into effect, we can leverage existing resources to better meet the needs of our communities,” said Boesenecker. “This law removes barriers that prevent local governments from being able to create housing that their communities can actually afford. Colorado Democrats remain committed to delivering housing opportunities, and legislation like this can drive down housing costs so Coloradans can build a successful future.”

“Local governments know their housing needs, and the state shouldn't artificially limit the tools they can use to ensure their residents have a place they can afford to live,” said Bridges. “This law removes barriers for counties and municipalities to invest in affordable and workforce housing and accelerates development. It’s a commonsense approach that lets local communities address their housing shortages.”

Also sponsored by Representative Chris Richardson, R-Elbert County, the bipartisan law allows local governments to sell, lease, or acquire property for the purpose of creating workforce or affordable housing and exempts construction materials used by local governments for building affordable housing from sales taxes.

HB26-1145, sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Representatives Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, and Jacque Philips, D-Thornton, strengthens water quality protections for Coloradans who live in mobile home parks. 

“We’ve made significant progress over the past few years to ensure that Coloradans living in mobile home parks have access to safe drinking water. However, by clarifying some definitions in previous legislation, we are making it crystal clear that mobile home park residents deserve clean, safe water," said Cutter. “This law strengthens CDPHE's ability to implement the program to prevent water issues that can impact health and welfare. It's important to address issues before residents become sick, and this bill will do that."

“Every Coloradan deserves access to clean water,” said Velasco. “In 2023, I proudly passed a law that strengthened protections for mobile home park residents to improve water quality. This law will expand on that law to help homeowners address water quality that is still contaminated enough to impact their welfare. The law also cracks down on non-compliance and notification requirements to better address water quality issues in mobile home parks.”

“Growing up in a mobile home park in my district, I saw firsthand how much more difficult it can be to get access to the safe, clean water that every Coloradan deserves,” said Mullica. “This new law is another crucial step forward in ensuring that access by ensuring CDPHE can prevent water issues and advance the health and safety of all Colorado communities.”

“Mobile homes are a great source of affordable housing, and it is important that people who typically do not have access to legal resources have a clear path to fix water quality issues,” said Phillips. “No one should be expected to cook with, drink or bathe in water that is brown and has an odor, yet that is the unfortunate reality that some mobile home residents live with. Our law, which is now going into effect, helps ensure that water quality issues that risk resident welfare are also addressed to guarantee that mobile home park residents also have access to safe water.”

The new law expands the definition of “remediation” to include risks to welfare, defined as water quality that is not suitable for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing clothes, use with home appliances and other household uses. Negative impacts on the finances of the household are also considered a risk to welfare. Previous law only required mobile home park owners to remediate poor water quality when it posed a direct risk to residents’ health and safety, such as if dangerous bacteria were found in the water.

Beginning August 12, 2026, the law authorizes the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to enforce the requirement for mobile home park owners to notify residents of water quality test results without a complaint being filed first.

In 2023, Cutter, Velasco, and Boesenecker passed the Mobile Home Park Water Quality Act to address water quality concerns in mobile home parks by establishing a water quality testing program and creating a path to remediation for mobile park owners to fix water quality issues discovered through the testing program. According to CDPHE, as of March 1, 2026, over 600 community partners in over 200 mobile home parks had their water quality tested as a result of that law.

HB26-1202, sponsored by Senators Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, and Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Representatives Emily Sirota, D-Denver, and Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City, also goes into effect August 12. This law streamlines state and regional approaches to homelessness, allowing local governments to create multijurisdictional homelessness response authorities to coordinate strategies and share resources. The law also directs the Department of Local Affairs to create a statewide strategy to prevent and reduce homelessness. 

JOINT RELEASE: Two Laws to Make Energy More Affordable Go Into Effect

DENVER, CO – On August 12, legislation led by Colorado Democrats to make energy and utility costs more affordable for Colorado families will go into effect. The new laws will improve energy assistance programs and boost geothermal energy development. 

SB26-002, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, Senator Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs, and Representatives Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, and Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, standardizes and improves energy assistance programs to ensure Coloradans have access to affordable, reliable energy. 

“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 law 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.”

“Coloradans are dealing with longer, hotter summers which can drive up utility costs,” said Willford. “No one should have to choose between paying their utility bill or feeding their family, which is why we are standardizing utility assistance programs so ratepayers can easily access support they qualify for. Affordability is top of mind, and our new law will streamline energy assistance programs to boost Colorado families.” 

“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 law has never wavered – to bring down energy bills for families who need it. This law standardizes utility assistance programs, increases their visibility, and simplifies the application process so that more Coloradans can benefit.”

“Energy assistance programs need to be accessible, standardized and simple so Coloradans who qualify can save time and money,” said Velasco. “Our new law, going into effect next month, will knock down accessibility barriers to assistance programs so Coloradans can save money on their utility bills. We’re making sure energy assistance programs are available to Coloradans who qualify.”

Starting August 12, SB26-002 requires 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). It requires utilities to clearly post information about eligibility criteria and enrollment processes for the PIPP program on their websites and standardizes the name of PIPP programs across all investor-owned utilities to reduce confusion for customers. 

Under the new law, customers will be allowed to apply directly with their utility for the program, rather than having to first enroll in another assistance program. Utilities will determine an annual bill credit for the customer delivered either as an up-front annual credit or a monthly credit on their utility bill. To improve and expedite the application experience, utilities must inform applicants within 30 days whether they have been approved or denied for PIPP and the reason why. The programs will be under the oversight of the Public Utilities Commission, to which utilities must submit an annual report about their PIPP program.

SB26-142, sponsored by Senator Matt Ball, D-Denver, Senator Kipp, and Representative Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, will help municipalities reach clean energy goals by streamlining the development of geothermal energy projects. 

“If we’re serious about meeting our goal of 100% clean energy by 2040, we need to capitalize on Colorado’s unique potential for geothermal energy,” said Ball. “This new law is an innovative and exciting step towards allowing local governments to develop more energy for themselves, making energy cleaner and cheaper for all.”

“Geothermal energy–the heat beneath our feet–can lower utility costs and save Coloradans money in the long run,” said Joseph. “Our new bipartisan law, which goes into effect next month, will streamline geothermal energy projects at the local level. Once installed, geothermal is a low-cost renewable energy source that will save Coloradans money and bring us closer to our climate goals.” 

“Local governments know their needs best, and they should be able to utilize the energy that local industries produce as a byproduct,” said Kipp. “This legislation is a huge step forward for these municipalities who have been facing red tape and regulatory barriers in their pursuit of these projects and their clean energy goals.”

SB26-142 expands the use of geothermal energy by removing barriers to allow local governments to more easily enter into agreements for new projects and create new pathways for geothermal innovation.

Under the new law, local governments can enter into their own agreements to develop, operate, and finance geothermal energy projects and provide that energy outside their jurisdiction through collaboration with other local governments. Investor-owned utilities such as Xcel must also identify geothermal projects that would increase their generation capacity and include their findings in their electric resource planning filing with the PUC. 

Additionally, the law requires the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission to collect data from orphaned oil wells for geothermal energy resources in the state and make recommendations for safe and effective development to the General Assembly by November 15, 2026. 

Colorado has been ranked as having the highest geothermal resource of all 50 states in the three to four kilometer depth range, but technology isn’t currently ready to extract this heat and generate electricity. This new law removes some of the red tape that has restricted development of geothermal energy in order to help the state reach its clean energy goals.

JOINT RELEASE: Mauro, Hinrichsen Statement on Aspen Acres Wildfire

DENVER, CO – Representative Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo and Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, today released the following statement about the Aspen Acres fire:

“Thank you to the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office, Custer County Sheriff’s Office, all the firefighter crews and first responders working tirelessly to help contain the Aspen Acres fire. We urge all residents in the evacuation zone to follow the instructions of local law enforcement to keep everyone safe. 

“Wildfires can rip away the things we hold dear in an instant, and our hearts go out to the families who have lost their homes in the Aspen Acres fire. The destruction in Pueblo and Custer counties is devastating, and watching our community unite to offer their support has been truly heartwarming.

“We will continue to monitor the Aspen Acres fire. Pueblo County is resilient, and we’re deeply grateful to represent this community.” 

Quick resources:

• Residents can call (719) 583-4640 for information about closures, evacuations, and the Disaster Assistance Center at the Pueblo Academy of the Arts at 29 Lehigh Ave, Pueblo. 

• Up-to-date information is also available on the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office Facebook, Aspen Acres Wildfire 2026 Facebook Page, Custer County Sheriff’s Office Facebook and Fremont County Sheriff's Office Facebook.

Additional resources: 

• If you are a resident of Pueblo or Custer County who has been impacted by the Aspen Acres fire, please visit the online portals to submit your information. 

• Up-to-date wildfire evacuation information is available here. 

• American Red Cross Evacuation Center: Pueblo County Recreation Center at 1650 Cooper Place, Pueblo.

• Evacuation centers for people and pets and donations for animal evacuees can be found at the Humane Society Pikes Peak Region website here.

• If you would like to support those impacted by the wildfire, the United Way of Southern Colorado established two donation sites in Pueblo. Review the list of items and locations here. 

• Support victims of the Aspen Acres fire by attending the Southern Colorado Labor Union Community Fundraiser Event on July 10; ticket information. 

The Aspen Acres fire is the seventh-largest wildfire in state history, requiring the evacuation of more than 12,000 Coloradans in Southern Colorado. As of this morning, the Aspen Acres fire has destroyed more than 260 homes in Pueblo and Custer counties and is 15-percent contained.

JOINT STATEMENT: General Assembly Democrats on SCOTUS Decision to Uphold State Bans on Transgender Athletes in Public Schools

DENVER, CO – Representatives Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, and Senators Katie Wallace, D-Longmont, and Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, today released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision upholding state bans on transgender athletes in public schools. 

“Everyone should be free to be themselves. Today’s Supreme Court decision to uphold state bans on transgender student athletes at publicly funded schools in Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.P.J is a devastating step backward for equality and the freedom to be ourselves.

“School sports are a place where young people find belonging and learn the importance of teamwork, integrity, and determination. Excluding trans kids from school sports is cruel, discriminatory, and opens the door to broader attacks on trans people and can create a slippery slope for other marginalized groups. 

“This decision will have consequences that reverberate for everyone because it permits states to discriminate and dismantle gender equality protections. However, transgender athletes are protected in Colorado, and it is our responsibility to push back against any and all attempts to roll back these protections. We will continue fighting, whether at the ballot box, in the legislature, or alongside community organizations, to stand with Colorado’s transgender and LGBTQ+ community.”

JOINT STATEMENT: General Assembly Democrats on Today's SCOTUS Decision Upholding Birthright Citizenship

DENVER, CO – Today, Senators Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, and Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, and Representatives Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins, Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, and Lorena García, D-Unincorporated Adams County, released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court released their decision upholding the principle of birthright citizenship. 

“Today, we breathe a sigh of relief that the Supreme Court upheld one of the foundational principles of our country: that anyone born on American soil is an American citizen. This decision affirms a core promise of our democracy that anyone born here has the right to pursue the American Dream, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. This principle has defined the United States for over 150 years. 

“At the same time, we cannot ignore decisions announced last week that restrict access to asylum and endanger Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The Trump Administration continues its broad assault on immigration, narrowing legal pathways for people who come to the United States in search of safety and opportunity – many fleeing war, violence, natural disasters, and persecution. Their choice is often one between life and death. 

“Just a few years ago, it would have been unthinkable to question the legality of birthright citizenship. While today’s decision reaffirms common sense and the fundamental promise of our democracy, it is a sobering reminder of how this administration is willing to undermine our rights, restrict our constitutional freedoms, and divide our communities for political gain.”

JOINT RELEASE: Laws to Create Safeguards on Ammunition Purchases, Prohibit Ghost Guns Go into Effect

DENVER, CO – Two laws to prevent gun violence and keep communities safe go into effect July 1, 2026. HB25-1133 raises the minimum age to purchase rifle and shotgun ammunition to 21 years old and requires ammunition to be stored behind the counter. HB26-1144 strengthens state regulations on ghost guns to prohibit three-dimensional printing of firearms, large-capacity magazines and other firearm components.

“As a survivor of domestic violence and gun intimidation, this law will help protect our communities from the senseless gun violence that tears families apart,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, sponsor of HB25-1133. “Our 2025 law, which goes into effect July 1, establishes new age limits to purchase long gun ammunition and requires ammunition to be stored behind the counter. This builds upon my previous work to increase the long gun purchasing age to 21 years old, helping to close a dangerous loophole that harms young adults. By establishing ammunition safeguards, we can reduce theft and help prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. From safe storage to minimum age to purchase a firearm, Colorado Democrats have led the way on legislation to keep our communities safe.” 

“Colorado has suffered a disproportionate number of tragic shootings and we must do whatever we can to prevent future acts of senseless violence,” said President Pro Tempore Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB25-1133. “This new law will reduce ammunition theft as well as the sale of ammunition to minors, which is a crucial step to decrease the number of preventable gun deaths in our state.”

“Differing requirements for purchasing firearms and ammunition create dangerously lax conditions for at-risk youth,” said Senator Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB25-1133. “This bill raises the age to purchase ammunition and strengthens display and delivery requirements to prevent theft and keep ammunition out of the hands of those intent on doing harm to themselves or others.”

“Colorado Democrats stepped up to pass laws that prevent senseless deaths and keep our communities safe,” said Rep. Lindsay Gilchrist, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25-1133 and HB26-1144. “From suicide to accidental firings, too many lives have been tragically taken from their loved ones. I am a mother to young children, and with our laws, it will be more difficult for 18-21-year-olds to acquire ammo or unserialized guns that could be used in a violent crime.” 

HB25-1133 will raise the minimum age to purchase rifle or shotgun ammunition to 21 years old with limited exceptions. Sellers will be required to verify that the buyer is at least 21 years old using a valid government-issued photo identification. The law also requires sellers to display ammunition in a position where an employee must assist the buyer, like in an enclosed display case or behind a counter, to help prevent theft. Any person delivering ammunition will be required to verify that the person receiving the delivery is at least 21 years old and obtain written proof of receipt of the delivery from the recipient. 

HB25-1133 includes exemptions for military members, a protected person with an active protection order, an on-duty peace officer, and those who have a valid hunter education certificate or an expired or unexpired hunting license. Unlawful sale of ammunition will be a civil infraction, while subsequent violations will be classified as a class 1 misdemeanor. 

“Bad actors are taking advantage of 3D printing technology to bypass our state’s gun violence prevention laws, waiting periods and background checks. We need to strengthen our ghost gun laws to keep our communities safe,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB26-1144. “Survivors and victims of gun violence deserve justice, but firearms and 3D printed parts without serial numbers and tracking can elude law enforcement. I’m immensely proud of our 2023 ghost gun legislation, and our new law going into effect next month will crack down on this illegal practice and save lives.” 

“The rise in 3D-printer technology has introduced a new front in our fight to prevent gun violence in the United States,” said Senator Tom Sullivan, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB26-1144. “It is imperative that we act right now to shore up existing law to prevent the at-home production of ghost guns, saving countless lives before they are threatened.”

"In Colorado, three lives are lost to gun violence every single day. This legislation is an intervention in that violence and in the growing threat of untraceable, 3D printed firearms," said Senator Katie Wallace, D-Longmont, sponsor of HB26-1144. "The threat of 3D printed weapons is growing, but it is also preventable. This law will close loopholes to prevent gun violence and make Colorado safer.”

HB26-1144 prohibits the use of a three-dimensional printer, or similar devices, to make a firearm or a firearm component. An initial violation of this provision is a class 1 misdemeanor, and any subsequent violation is a class 5 felony.

Since 2016, the number of ghost guns used in crimes throughout the country has increased by 1000 percent, yet over 99 percent of those guns cannot be traced back to a user, owner or producer. Between 2016 and 2021, law enforcement reported recovering over 45,000 privately-made firearms, including in nearly 700 homicide or attempted homicide investigations. When an untraceable gun is used in a crime, it can be impossible for a gun violence victim and their family to seek accountability. In 2023, Colorado Democrats passed a law to prohibit the possession, sale, or transfer of unserialized firearms.

According to Everytown for Gun Safety, firearms are the leading cause of death for young people in the U.S. ages 18 to 20, and the firearm suicide rate among this group has increased by a staggering 41 percent in the last decade.