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.

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.

“Conversion Therapy” Accountability Law Goes Into Effect

HB26-1322 creates a civil cause of action for harm done by “conversion therapy”

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senate Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Representatives Alex Valdez, D-Denver, and Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, to allow Coloradans to pursue a civil cause of action for damages related to “conversion therapy” will go into effect on July 1.

"Mental health is crucial to our overall health and wellbeing. A licensed therapist should not inflict harm on a child or young person by steering them in any predetermined direction," said Cutter. "This law recognizes that real harm can be inflicted in the name of therapy, and that this harm might not be fully understood for many years. We are simply allowing people to have the time to process and understand the trauma that might have been inflicted, and seek the remedies already available to them under Colorado law."

“Conversation therapy is ineffective and has dangerous repercussions, and we’re creating a clear pathway for someone who is harmed by these practices to seek justice,” said Valdez. “This law is for all of the LGBTQ+ Coloradans who were told something about them was wrong because of who they were or who they loved. With the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling against Colorado’s conversion therapy ban, we are committed to offering survivors of this harmful practice the protections they deserve.”

“It is critical that we as policymakers listen to trusted scientific organizations when they tell us a practice is harmful. For over a decade, we’ve known that conversion therapy increases suicidality and exacerbates depression and anxiety for LGBTQ+ Coloradans,” Mullica said. “In light of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, it’s vital that we create avenues for those who have been subjected to conversion therapy to get some justice.”

“While the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Colorado’s conversion therapy ban law is deeply harmful, we’re not giving up the fight to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ Coloradans,” said McCormick. “The LGBTQ+ community faces higher rates of depression and suicide, and conversion therapy only increases those rates. With this law going into effect, we’re ensuring that LGBTQ+ Coloradans can seek justice for the harm caused by conversion therapy.”

Beginning July 1, 2026, HB26-1322 will allow an individual who was subject to “conversion therapy” to bring a civil cause of action against certain professionals who cause damages from efforts to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

The law defines conversion therapy as any practice by a licensed mental health professional that seeks to direct a patient toward a predetermined sexual orientation or gender identity outcome, or to eliminate or reduce attractions toward individuals of a particular sex or gender. The definition excludes counseling that provides acceptance and support without directing toward a predetermined outcome, therapy neutral with respect to sexual orientation and gender identity, and therapy related to a patient's sexual behaviors or relationships that does not seek to direct the patient toward a predetermined outcome.

Currently, Colorado law requires these claims to be filed within two years. The law removes this time restriction, and if the impacted individual has passed away, their representative could bring a survival action within five years of the individual’s death.

A 2024 report from the Trevor Project found that 14 percent of LGBTQ+ youth in Colorado have been threatened with or subjected to “conversion therapy.”

In 2009, the American Psychological Association Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation concluded that “conversion therapy” increases the risk of depression, suicidality and anxiety. The American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Medical Association, the National Association of Social Workers, and many other mental health and medical organizations believe that “conversion therapy” is harmful and ineffective.

In 2019, Colorado Democrats passed a law to ban state-licensed medical or mental health care providers from providing “conversion therapy” to minors. The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled against this law, making it vitally important to create new protections for people who are harmed by “conversion therapy.” 

Law to Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation Goes Into Effect

DENVER, CO – Legislation to update and strengthen Colorado’s criminal statutes regarding commercial sexual activity with a child will go into effect July 1, 2026. 

SB26-015, sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, modernizes outdated terminology and increases penalties for crimes relating to sexual exploitation of a child. 

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

"With our bipartisan law going into effect, we are holding traffickers accountable and protecting children," said Duran. "For too long, people who sexually exploit children have benefited from confusing and unclear statutes to evade accountability. This law removes outdated terms, brings clarity to Colorado statute and increases penalties for traffickers and buyers to hold dangerous people accountable and protect Colorado children."

Also sponsored by Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, and Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell, R-Monument, the law replaces outdated terms related to “child prostitution” with the more accurate “commercial sexual activity with a child,” reframing these offenses to emphasize the exploitation of children.

SB26-015 also increases penalties for such offenses. Beginning July 1, 2026, it requires a minimum of 364 days of jail time as a condition of probation if an offender is charged with soliciting commercial sexual activity with a child. It increases penalties for other crimes related to commercial sexual activity with a child, requiring courts to impose a mandatory minimum sentence of the lower end of the sentencing range, which is currently four years for a class 3 felony. Lastly, the law creates a new class 3 felony for the crime of internet luring of a child with intent to meet a child for commercial sexual activity.

Legislation to Create More Affordable Home Ownership Opportunities Goes Into Effect

SB26-040 updates the Prop 123 Affordable Homeownership Program to better meet families’ needs

DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation to update the Affordable Homeownership Program created by voter-approved Proposition 123 will go into effect on July 1.

SB26-040, sponsored by Senator Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, and Representatives Katie Stewart, D-Durango, and Lesley Smith, D-Boulder, expands eligibility for qualified buyers and makes practical updates to serve every Colorado community and meet the reality of the 2026 housing market.

“The Affordable Homeownership Program was designed in 2022, for a 2022 market with low interest rates and lower construction costs than what we see today,” said Amabile. “This new law updates the program to reflect today’s reality and provide the flexibility that Coloradans need. We’re taking a practical approach to make sure this program works as intended so more Colorado families can put down roots and achieve their dream of homeownership.”

“This bipartisan law makes the Prop 123 Affordable Homeownership Program more responsive to the needs of our communities, especially in Colorado mountain towns like mine, where working people struggle to find affordable housing,” said Stewart. “When Colorado voters approved Prop 123, it created the Affordable Home Ownership Program to help first-time homebuyers with down payments and other financial assistance. This law, going into effect soon, makes crucial updates to the program to help more low- and middle-income Coloradans in rural areas qualify for homebuying assistance. 

“We’re expanding eligibility and flexibility for this Prop 123 program to deliver more housing assistance for hardworking Coloradans,” said Smith. “The Affordable Homeownership Program was created to help first-time homebuyers, especially to secure down payments. Unfortunately, interest rates and construction costs are higher than they were when the program was created. Our law makes necessary adjustments to the program so it can support Coloradans as intended and make homeownership a reality for more hardworking people.”

The new law, also sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, increases the allowable income threshold to qualify for the program to less than or equal to 120 percent of either the statewide Area Median Income (AMI) or the local AMI. This allows more people to qualify for the program, particularly in rural communities.

Rising interest rates and insurance costs have also made it harder for Coloradans to meet the requirement that combined housing costs cannot exceed 35 percent of their income. The law raises that threshold to 38 percent for homebuyers receiving direct down payment assistance, and also creates a process to allow eligible organizations to seek a waiver of the housing cost limit entirely when a qualified buyer is not found after six months of advertising. 

Additionally, the law allows eligible organizations to temporarily rent units if they cannot be sold in a timely manner and creates more flexibility in the program rules. Beginning July 1, these updates will help ensure that the program is working as intended and serving as many Coloradans as possible.

Trump’s High Energy Inflation Drives Up Costs for Coloradans

 U.S. President says he loves it

DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) today released the following statements after the Legislative Council Staff (LCS) and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) delivered the June quarterly economic forecasts.

“The forecast shows that not only is inflation driving up costs for Coloradans, but it’s also neutralizing any wage gains workers might have earned even as the economy continues to grow at a steady pace,” said JBC Chair Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Instead of addressing the affordability crisis, President Trump is making light of record-high inflation numbers while Coloradans are feeling squeezed from all sides. From driving down housing costs to creating universal preschool, Colorado Democrats have implemented real solutions to make our state more affordable for families. In stark contrast to Washington, we’re focused on creating communities that are safe, healthier and more affordable.”

"The forecast reflects what many Coloradans already feel. The cost of gas, housing, and childcare continues to put pressure on family budgets,” said JBC Vice Chair Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County. “Combined with uncertainty from Washington, these challenges create real strain on Colorado's economy and our state budget. We're focused on protecting core services and making sure Colorado is prepared for what comes next, while Colorado's workers and businesses continue to show up, work hard, and move our economy forward."

“The forecast reflects what many Coloradans are already feeling: our economy is strong, but rising energy costs and national headwinds are making everything more expensive and dragging down growth in Colorado,” said JBC Member Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “We made difficult decisions during the legislative session to balance our budget, including cuts that no one wanted to make. It’s clear that without reforms to TABOR, the legislature will be forced to make additional cuts to address rising caseload and Medicaid costs. With the interim commission, we are working hard to find solutions so Medicaid can continue to deliver the services people need while putting the program on a more sustainable path.”

“As a result of years of thoughtful budgeting and often painful cuts, this forecast shows that we have made the right decisions to put Colorado on strong economic footing even as the chaos in Washington continues to strain our state budget,” said JBC Member Sen. Judy Amabile. “Between corporate tax cuts in H.R. 1, high inflation, and soaring gas prices, we have not been dealt an easy hand, but we’ve been able to preserve crucial services and maintain a healthy reserve. There are certainly difficult decisions ahead, but we will continue to meet the moment.” 

The Legislative Council Staff (LCS) forecast anticipates General Fund revenue to be $16.57 billion in FY 2025-2026, $18.07 billion in FY 2026-2027, and $19.05 billion in FY 2027-2028. This represents an overall increase of $489 million in the current year and $335 million for FY 2026-2027 as compared to the March forecast.

The Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) forecast anticipates that General Fund revenue will be $16.93 billion for FY 2025-26, $17.89 billion for FY 2026-2027 and $18.37 billion for FY 2027-2028. This represents an overall increase of $371 million in the current year and a decrease of $102 million for FY 2026-2027 as compared to their March forecast. This revised revenue increase shows a resilient economy and consumers. 

Medicaid costs have skyrocketed over the last two years, largely due to the increased cost of providing care. In addition to reducing Medicaid spending by $360 million this year alone, lawmakers also established an interim Commission on Medicaid to develop long-term strategies to focus on utilization, reduce spending and ensure sustainability in the program.

Rising Medicaid costs continue to impact the state budget; however, the increase for FY 2027-2028 is far less than the $1 billion lawmakers addressed last session. According to LCS scenario B, the General Fund would end FY 2027-28 with a 13.2 percent reserve, $315.4 million less than the statutory requirement. This scenario accounts for a $462.5 million increase in Medicaid spending. This increase is almost half the previously forecasted increase in FY 2026-27. In addition, TABOR will likely trigger a temporary income tax rate reduction that disproportionately benefits the wealthiest Coloradans while requiring over $300 million in cuts to core services like Medicaid that benefit the most vulnerable Coloradans. 

The LCS and OSPB forecasts anticipate that FY 2027-28 revenue will be above the TABOR cap by $674 million and $52 million, respectively. For the 2026-27 FY (beginning July 1, 2026), revenue is forecasted to be above the cap by $483 million in the LCS forecast and $470 million per OSPB. For the 2025-2026 FY about to end, by the LCS forecast, Colorado’s revenue is below the TABOR cap by $425 million. By the OSPB forecast, revenue is below the TABOR cap by $15 million.

Due to corporate tax cuts in H.R. 1, the Family Affordability Tax Credit (FATC) will be entirely turned off for the 2026 tax year, raising taxes on families. Both forecasts released today now expect the FATC to be off for 2027 and 2028 taxes as well.

To help blunt some of the cost for Colorado families, Democratic lawmakers created a new tax credit last session, the Family Affordability Credit (FAC). Families who would have been eligible for the FATC will be eligible for the FAC, and while it is a smaller credit, estimates show families could still receive up to $260 for each child under age six and up to $195 for each child between six and 16 because of HB26-1223.

The annual inflation rate (4.2 percent) in the U.S. hit a three-year high in May, up from 3.8 percent in April. This includes a 0.4 percentage point increase in May alone and has almost doubled since February. Trump’s war with Iran has caused an oil shock and increased energy costs nationwide, and is driving rising inflation in Colorado. High energy costs, combined with a weakening job market and worsening household finances, are weighing on families. Economic inequality continues to grow, with low-income families increasingly burdened by credit card debt.  

While wages have ticked upward for the majority of workers (3.8 percent), including low-wage earners, they have not kept pace with high inflation. In addition, many Coloradans are underemployed or have left the workforce and job growth remains stagnant at 0.1 percent, worsened by an 11 percent decrease in federal government jobs in Colorado.

Law to Save Coloradans Money on Property Insurance Goes Into Effect

Denver, CO – On July 1, 2026 legislation to save Coloradans money on their property insurance policies will go into effect. HB25-1182 requires insurers to be more transparent regarding their wildfire mitigation risk models and allows property owners to appeal their scores. 

“Colorado is grappling with some of the highest property insurance rates in the nation, and to lower costs, property owners can implement home hardening and wildfire mitigation tactics,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “Coloradans have invested in wildfire mitigation efforts on their property before, only to receive no discounts from their insurance companies. Our law, going into effect next month, requires property insurance transparency and accountability so Coloradans know what insurers expect and can effectively lower their rates.” 

“I frequently hear from constituents that they are being denied insurance or their premiums have increased dramatically. It has always concerned me that we incentivize and encourage mitigation, but there’s no way to tie these efforts directly to insurance,” said Senate Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “This law addresses that, requiring insurers to consider mitigation efforts, provide transparency to homeowners on the wildfire risk models they use, and give them the opportunity to appeal directly.”

“After the Marshall Fire destroyed hundreds of homes in my community, many of my neighbors experienced skyrocketing property insurance costs,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “We know that home hardening and wildfire mitigation efforts can make our communities more resilient to natural disasters and lower property insurance rates for everyone. However, Coloradans sometimes miss out on lower insurance rates because insurers aren’t forthcoming with what goes into a wildfire risk score. This law, going into effect on July 1, requires insurers to provide up-front, transparent wildfire risk score calculations to customers so Coloradans can take action before the next disaster.” 

HB25-1182, also sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, requires an insurer to provide a written notice to each policyholder at the time of application, renewal or nonrenewal. The notice must include plain-language explanations of the wildfire risk score or other classifications, a range of possible scores a property could be assigned, and the impact each mitigation action could have on a risk score or classification.

Policyholders and applicants can appeal their wildfire risk model score, wildfire risk classification, or applicable mitigation discount if they believe it is inaccurate and can provide evidence of the mitigation efforts they have taken. To make the appeals process timely, the insurer must notify the policyholder or applicant in writing of the right to appeal and acknowledge receipt of the appeal within 10 calendar days. Insurers will also be required to respond to the appeal with a reconsideration and decision within 30 calendar days. If an appeal is denied, the Commissioner of Insurance can request a copy of the appeal and the insurer’s response.

To help lower property insurance costs, the law requires insurers to consider parcel-level and community-wide mitigation efforts in their models to ensure that risk scores reflect the property and the surrounding area. If an insurer doesn’t incorporate these actions into their models, they should provide discounts to policyholders who demonstrate property or community-level mitigation actions, such as cleaning up brush near a home.

Colorado homeowners' insurance rates are some of the highest in the nation and have doubled from 2020 to 2025. Natural disasters like wildfires and hailstorms are some of the largest drivers of high insurance costs:  the Division of Insurance recently found that hail damage accounts for an average of 26 percent to 54 percent of an annual homeowners' insurance premium and that hail mitigation has the potential to save consumers an average of $82 to $387 per year. 

This year, lawmakers championed a new law that will create a grant program to harden roofs and mitigate the impact of natural disasters. SB26-155 will help stabilize Colorado’s homeowners' insurance market, mitigate the impacts of natural disasters and save Coloradans money on their property insurance. 

JOINT RELEASE: Contractors Reject Road Funding Solutions, Pursue Reckless Ballot Measure Instead

Denver, CO – The four sponsors of HB26-1430, legislation to mitigate the deeply harmful impacts of Initiative 175, today released the following joint statement after road building contractors walked away from a proposed agreement that would put Colorado on a path to better fund transportation: 

“We could be working right now on a solution to better fund our roads, but instead the road building contractors walked away. Now, Coloradans are left with only bad choices when what we deserve is better roads and transit. It is troublesome that this still-harmful ballot measure is moving forward after we made several good-faith efforts to find an agreement, and it is a shame that instead of pursuing a solution, special interests are selling Coloradans a false promise so they can line their pockets. The legislature has worked hard to support transportation funding the last several years even as we have faced difficult budget environments. We remain open to options that are responsible, sustainable and do not slash funding for healthcare or education.” 

During the 2026 legislative session, lawmakers passed HB26-1430, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, Representative Emily Sirota, D-Denver, and Senators Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, and William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield. The bill mitigated many of the harmful state budget impacts of Initiative 175, which otherwise would have slashed funding for K-12 education, raised tuition costs, and forced steep cuts to rural hospitals while siphoning off resources for DUI prevention and road safety if passed. 

HB26-1430 only temporarily blunts the impacts of Initiative 175. If passed at the ballot in November, the initiative would still require the state to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on just highway projects in three years that would otherwise go to K-12, healthcare or higher education. It would place strict limits on what types of transportation projects can receive state funding. It would immediately reduce TABOR revenue that would otherwise be refunded to taxpayers, or directed to children and education should the measure referred to voters in SB26-135 pass in November.

Lawmakers made several good-faith efforts to reach a compromise with the backers of Initiative 175 through the legislative process that the contractors ultimately rejected. This included creating a working group to address road funding and establishing a new enterprise with $7.5 million in seed funding to direct additional dollars to roads that could serve as the beginning of a sustainable fix. The working group followed a model with demonstrated success used in similar efforts, such as the Artificial Intelligence Policy Workgroup and the RTD Accountability Committee, that led to successful legislation this year. Similar to previous working groups, the recommendations generated would have provided the General Assembly and Joint Budget Committee a solid framework for legislation next session. Barring reconsideration of this decision, the deadline stands statutorily at June 15th for the contractors to withdraw the initiative and instead establish the enterprise and working group. 

JOINT RELEASE: ICYMI: Signed! Tax Credits to Boost Working Families and Restaurants

DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis signed legislation on June 4 to support working people and small businesses after Congress passed H.R. 1, which granted massive tax breaks to corporations while raising taxes on working families in Colorado. 

HB26-1223, sponsored by Senators Matt Ball, D-Denver, and Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, and Representative Steven Woodrow, D-Denver, repeals Colorado’s downloadable software exemption to ensure taxes on these products are consistent, no matter how or where they are purchased, funding tax credits for working families and providing relief to Colorado restaurants.

“Before this law, software products were taxed differently depending on where they were purchased,” said Ball. “It was a patchwork system that simply didn’t make sense with the current way we make purchases in our modern, online society. By fixing this discrepancy, we’re putting money back into the hands of Colorado families and supporting restaurants.”

“We’re repealing a tax exemption to ensure Colorado law is being equally applied, no matter your zip code,” said Boesenecker. “By modifying our tax code, we can put money back into the pockets of hardworking Coloradans and support local restaurants. Our law creates a new tax credit for hardworking families to make our state more affordable.” 

“This is a win-win-win for hardworking Coloradans, for local restaurants, and for modernizing our tax code,” said Roberts. “It is narrowly focused on one outdated statute that taxes software differently based on where and how it is purchased. By standardizing this inconsistency, we are funding tax credits that give hardworking Coloradans a chance to get ahead and give Colorado restaurants a much-needed boost by relieving them of sales tax burdens."

“Colorado Democrats are making tax policy changes to put money back into the pockets of hardworking families,” said Woodrow. “Taxes on downloadable software should be applied the same, regardless of how it is purchased. This will help create a more equitable tax code that puts hardworking people first.”

The Colorado Office of the State Auditor reported that the antiquated sales tax exemption for certain downloadable software was being applied unevenly across the state, with 14 percent of vendors not applying the exemption at all.

With part of the revenue generated from closing this exemption, the law creates a new tax credit for hardworking families. The Family Affordability Credit (FAC) will go to families who would be eligible for the highly successful Family Affordability Tax Credit (FATC) in current law. That credit is temporarily deactivated due to the corporate tax cuts in H.R. 1. Estimates show families could receive up to $260 for each child under age six and up to $195 for each child between six and 16 because of HB26-1223. 

The law also funds tax relief for restaurants through a temporary sales tax deduction and permanent expansion of a utility tax deduction. In 2027 and 2028, for July, August, November, and December, restaurants, bars, and other food vendors will retain the state sales tax collected on up to $14,000 of taxable sales in that month. Additionally, before this law, certain restaurants were allowed to subtract 55 percent of their energy bills from their tax obligations. The law permanently expands this to allow restaurants to deduct 100 percent of gas and electricity purchases from their taxable sales.

JOINT RELEASE: ICYMI: Bill to Collect Data on Working Conditions and Extreme Temperatures Signed Into Law

DENVER, CO – Legislation to better understand how extreme temperatures impact working conditions and worker safety was signed into law on June 4. 

HB26-1272, sponsored by Senate Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Senator Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, and Representatives Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, and Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, will outline a pathway for Colorado to protect workers from extreme temperatures. 

"Every worker deserves safe conditions,” said Cutter. “But that’s not happening in jobs where workers are exposed to extreme heat and cold. Because of the effects of climate change, many workers are being exposed to dangerous weather conditions that can seriously impact their health and livelihood. This new law helps build a resilient future that protects workers."

“Colorado workers are increasingly exposed to dangerous heat and cold as our weather becomes more extreme,” said Froelich. “As federal action to protect our workers has stalled out, this law lays the groundwork for keeping Colorado workers safe from extreme temperatures. Given Colorado’s budget constraints, we’re focused on collecting this important data to help us understand how extreme temperatures impact worker health and safety. Through data collection and creating readily available temperature-related injury and illness prevention plans, we’re moving forward with a law that puts workers first today and creates a roadmap for the future.” 

“The federal government has failed to step in to create clear guidelines on safe temperatures for working conditions, so it is up to us to enact protections,” said Weissman. “This new law takes the first step by collecting data on how workers are impacted by extreme temperatures and creating recommendations. This will lay the groundwork for evidence-based policies that keep workers safe amid Colorado’s new normal.” 

“There’s a gap in support for Colorado workers exposed to dangerous heat and cold, and we need to do more to keep our workers safe and healthy on the job,” said Velasco. “Colorado is facing a significant budget deficit, so our law focuses on data collection of temperature-related injuries, illnesses and emergencies in workplaces. Climate change is already impacting working conditions and HB26-1272 is the first step toward creating a safer future for Colorado workers.”  

The new law will require the state to collect and analyze data on temperature-related injuries, illnesses, and emergencies at worksites, and related workers' compensation in the state. This data will serve as an important baseline for future rulemaking and temperature-related injury prevention planning.

Under the law, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) will develop a model temperature-related injury and illness prevention plan (TRIIPP) by 2028. TRIIPPs typically include methods for cooling down, such as access to water, shade, and gradual acclimatization for workers. Once created, the TRIIPP will be available to lawmakers and employers on CDLE’s public website. CDLE will be responsible for updating the TRIIPP as needed but not less than every five years to meet the needs of workers.  

This legislation is the first step toward keeping workers safe on the job by prioritizing education and evidence-gathering that reflect conditions across industries and regions in Colorado. The findings from this law’s implementation will inform future protections and legislation.

JOINT RELEASE: ICYMI: SIGNED! Bill to Fight Back Against Federal Coal Mandates

DENVER, CO — Governor Jared Polis on June 4 signed legislation to fight back against federal mandates that force aging coal plants to stay operational, which will drive up costs to ratepayers and hinder Colorado’s clean energy future.

“With this law, we’re pushing back against federal overreach that increases costs for ratepayers and continues to burden communities with pollution,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “There is consensus among environmental organizations and the operators of the Craig Unit 1 power plant that forcing coal plants to stay online will increase utility costs for Coloradans. Colorado needs to plan for our own energy future, and this law helps protect ratepayers and bring us closer to our climate goals.” 

“Colorado is a leader in climate policy, and we should be able to continue planning our own energy future,” said Senate Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “While the Trump Administration is busy propping up outdated, highly polluting, ready-to-retire coal plants, we’ve made considerable progress in bringing Colorado into a sustainable future with clean air, good jobs, and affordable energy. This law will mitigate harm caused by misguided federal mandates while protecting ratepayers and maintaining clean air standards.”

“Trump's capricious, ill-advised use of an emergency order to keep an aging coal plant online will increase utility costs and set back Colorado’s climate and clean air goals,” said Rep. Froelich, D-Englewood. “Coloradans should be in charge of our state’s energy future, not the federal government. And ratepayers deserve to know how much propping up an aging, broken-down coal-fired power plant will cost them on their utility bills. Our law protects consumers from Trump’s war on clean energy and destructive energy cost increases while keeping us on track to meet our climate goals.”

“The Trump Administration is trying to force expensive, polluting coal plants to stay open against the will of our communities, ignoring years of thoughtful planning,” said Sen. Weissman, D-Aurora. “This bill pushes back by requiring transparency and pollution safeguards if some coal plants are required to stay open, ensuring Colorado can continue to chart our own path forward.”

HB26-1226 will help to mitigate the impacts of federal interference in Colorado’s energy future, ensure energy reliability, and implement modern standards for coal plant pollution.

If coal-fired plants are permitted to operate past 2034, this law will:

• Mandate that consumers and regulators are given information on the costs of keeping those coal plants open, and give the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) financing tools to manage operating costs, minimizing the impact on ratepayers.

• Ensure the PUC approves new resources for Colorado’s largest electric utilities to help Colorado reach our carbon reduction targets and retire coal plants on schedule.

• Require that coal plants still in operation use modern pollution controls to reduce emissions and help Colorado reach clean energy targets.

In addition to informing consumers about the cost impacts of keeping coal plants open past their retirement date, this law will also allow utility companies to use securitization as a financing tool if it lowers costs for ratepayers. This would include refinanced debt or long-term, low-interest bonds on large-scale projects to help lower costs for ratepayers now. 

To reduce pollution, this law will require the Air Quality Control Commission to issue a rule to set limits on the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) from coal-fired power plants, unless those plants have retired or converted to burn a fuel other than coal. HB26-1226 also requires operators to submit quarterly emissions reports showing compliance and the associated costs beginning in 2034, which the commission must make available to the public. 

Last December, the Trump administration issued a 202(c) emergency order to keep an aging coal-fired power plant in Craig operating, despite the plant's scheduled retirement in late 2025. The Colorado Attorney General and environmental groups challenged this unprecedented order.

Additionally, the owners of the coal power plant, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, and the Platte River Power Authority filed a formal petition asking the U.S. Department of Energy to reconsider to “find a more effective and affordable path forward, one that will not delay retirement of Craig Unit 1.” In March, the Trump administration issued a second order, further extending coal burning at Craig until at least June, which is estimated to cost almost $80 million annually.

JOINT RELEASE: ICYMI: Governor Polis Signs Bill to Modernize, Improve Higher Education Funding Formula

HB26-1345 will make updates to the performance model funding to capture Colorado’s entire student body, including part-time and transfer students

DENVER, CO — Governor Jared Polis on June 4 signed bipartisan legislation to modernize Colorado’s higher education funding model to meet the needs of Colorado students, including those from diverse and underserved backgrounds and non-traditional students.

“Higher education is foundational in Colorado, and I dream of a day when we can drive more dollars to Colorado’s colleges and universities. However, until that day, we must distribute the funds we have in a way that best meets the needs of Colorado students and our workforce,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Based on recommendations by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education working group, our law modernizes the funding formula to foster high-quality education. Whether they’re part-time or transfer students, we’re making sure the modern-day student has the tools they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond.”

“Higher education looks different today than it has in years past, with more students taking a nontraditional path, transferring between schools, and going to school part-time,” said Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver. “Schools are adapting to this new reality and our funding model should adapt too. Coloradans of all ages and backgrounds deserve a higher education system that works for them, and that includes part time and transfer students.” 

“Part-time students make up 55 percent of Colorado’s higher education student body, but they’re not accurately accounted for in the current funding formula,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial. “This law lays the groundwork for a modernized and improved higher education funding formula that will better meet the needs of Colorado students, including transfer and part-time students. We’ve taken bold steps to reimagine education funding in Colorado, and this law is another step toward our shared mission to drive funding to the students who need it the most.”

HB26-1345 will implement changes to higher education funding as recommended by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education’s 2025 Report on the Higher Education Funding Allocation Formula. Also sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, the law aims to streamline and modernize higher education data systems and definitions to better meet the needs of Colorado’s student body, including part-time and transfer students. 

One component of higher education funding uses a results-informed funding model, and beginning in fiscal year 2027-2028, HB26-1345 will make modifications to this model by:  

Expanding qualified transfers: The current formula does not recognize four-year transfers as a successful touchpoint, despite 45 percent of Colorado students transferring between schools at least one time. This law will expand qualifying transfers to include those from four-year institutions who transfer to another higher education institution with at least 18 credits earned at the previous institution. Without this modification, only students who earn 18 credits and transfer out of a community college will be counted in the credential completion weights.

Prioritizing part-time students: 55 percent of Colorado’s higher education students attend classes part-time, but they are not included in any outcome measurements. This law will create an inclusive retention rate that measures both part-time and full-time students. 

Modernizing graduation calculations: Collaborative programs, including the Bridge and Partnership programs, allow students to complete their degree in a field of study that is not offered by their home institution. However, this can skew the graduation calculations at their home campus. This law will exclude students who are enrolled in a co-located degree partnership to ensure this population does not negatively impact the graduation calculations of their home campus. 

Streamlining formula definitions and data sources: The law will clean up language and definitions in the current formula to make it more streamlined and clear for higher education institutions and policymakers. Specifically, HB26-1345 will make formula “levers” consistent, predictable, and focused on student-centered performance. Additionally, this law will standardize data sources by transitioning the calculation of retention and graduation rates to the Department of Higher Education’s data system. To respond to shifts at the federal level, this law will also change the definition of “Pell-eligible” student to “Pell-recipient” to ensure that this metric remains consistent.

ICYMI: SIGNED! Tax Credits to Boost Jobs, Clean Energy, Wildfire Mitigation

DENVER, CO – Yesterday, legislation sponsored by Senator Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, and Representatives Lorena García, D-Unincorporated Adams County, and Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, to update Colorado’s tax code was signed into law.

HB26-1289 will modernize and simplify the tax code by eliminating ineffective or unnecessary special tax exemptions and deductions to expand and extend tax credits for food access, wildfire and beetle kill mitigation, job creation, and investments in clean energy. This new law will make Colorado’s tax code more consistent and efficient.

"Our tax laws must be continually reviewed and updated to make sure they are working for Coloradans," said Weissman. “Particularly as federal law changes in recent years have negatively impacted Colorado, we must use this moment as an opportunity to revise or eliminate ineffective tax laws, continue or extend those that work, and make sure our tax laws work in service of our bigger goals of supporting working people, saving Coloradans money on energy, and managing wildfire risk. At the end of the day, tightening up ineffective tax laws to continue impactful tax credits for working families is an easy choice."

“When Trump’s H.R. 1 slashed tax credits for working families, we knew we needed to step up and support everyday hardworking Coloradans,” said García. “Our law cleans up our tax code to continue tax credits for food, wildfire mitigation and economic development. Without this law, families could face food insecurity and locally operated farms could miss out on important tax credits that help them feed their communities.” 

“We’re making necessary changes to create a tax code that focuses on hardworking Coloradans, affordability and climate resilience,” said Brown. “Our law repeals tax loopholes and tax breaks to strengthen our economy and provide tax credits to small businesses, renewable energy and economic development to lower costs for consumers and businesses. While Congressional Republicans put corporations first, Colorado Democrats are finding every opportunity to simplify Colorado’s tax code to create jobs, fund essential services and save hardworking Coloradans and small businesses money.”

HB26-1289 will eliminate ineffective tax exemptions for purchases regarding space flight and vendor discounts for cigarettes, nicotine, and tobacco products.

It will also make changes to existing tax credits, including:

• Increasing access to the Community Food Access Tax Credit that offers small food retailers and family farms a refundable tax credit,

• Renewing the Renewable Energy Enterprise Zone Investment Tax Credit to reward businesses that invest in projects that generate renewable energy,

• Expanding the Wildfire Mitigation Tax Credit, allowing it to be carried forward to count against future tax liability, and broadening eligibility to boost wildfire mitigation efforts, and

• Expanding a tax credit for businesses that rehabilitate vacant properties. 

JOINT RELEASE: Tamale Act Signed Into Law

DENVER, CO — Governor Jared Polis today signed the Tamale Act to allow the sale of temperature-controlled homemade foods in Colorado.

“Growing up, I watched my abuela and mom sell delicious homemade food to make ends meet, and this law is an entrepreneur’s dream realized,” said House Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “The Tamale Act makes it possible for Coloradans to sell safe, temperature-controlled foods, like tamales and burritos, with fewer barriers. We know that many immigrant families are looking for new, creative ways to earn money while navigating the Trump Administration's harsh policies, and our law will open doors. The Tamale Act is a win for home chefs, and I know it will make all the difference to people like my abuela.” 

“People already sell prepared food – like tamales, pupusas, and baked goods – to their friends, family, and neighbors,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver. “This is a way that Coloradans share their culture, support each other, and work hard to earn extra money and support their families. This law creates a pathway for this to happen in a safe and legal way.”

The Tamale Act (HB26-1033) will allow for the sale of homemade foods in Colorado that require refrigeration and foods that include meat or meat products. To keep Coloradans safe, homemade food sellers must complete a food safety course that includes proper food handling, including time and temperature control. Food sellers must maintain proof of the course completion. Additionally, food sellers may not transport the food more than once or transport it longer than two hours. The Tamale Act is also sponsored by Representative Ryan Gonzalez, R-Greeley and Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling.

In 2012, Colorado passed the Cottage Food Act. This law allowed for the sale of some homemade food items, including coffee beans and pickles, but not temperature-controlled items or meat and dairy products. HB26-1033 expands the Cottage Food Act so home food sellers can sell products that include staple ingredients, such as butter, milk and meat. 

The Institute for Justice (IJ) analyzed data from seven states with some of the broadest homemade food laws and found no significant instances of foodborne illness traced back to homemade foods. In the report, IJ stated these results should not be surprising considering “many of these cottage food businesses are run by only one or two people, with their name, reputation, and livelihood on the line.”