Senate Democrats Introduce First Five Bills of 2026 Session
Legislation expands affordable housing, lowers utility bills, encourages environmental stewardship, builds safer communities, and protects civil rights
DENVER, CO – The Colorado Senate Democrats unveiled their First Five Bills of the 2026 legislative session today.
The bills aim to increase affordable housing stock, lower utility bills for low-income Coloradans, boost electric vehicle battery re-use and recycling, build safer communities, and protect Colorado from threats to civil rights.
“We’re excited to kick off the 2026 legislative session focused on lowering costs, boosting public safety, protecting our environment, and meeting the moment to make life better for Coloradans,” said Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver. “We have 120 days to make an impact, and that work starts today.”
“We’re ready to deliver for Coloradans this legislative session,” said Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver. “Over the past few years we’ve worked hard to make Colorado a great place to live, work, and raise a family, but there is more work for us to do. As I begin my final session, I know our caucus is ready to act boldly and lead with courage amid federal threats to our way of life and significant budget constraints. Our First Five Bills of the 2026 legislative session reflect our commitment to lowering costs and protecting Coloradans’ rights and freedoms.”
SB26-001
Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco
Representatives Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, & Chris Richardson, R-Elbert County
Currently, counties are prohibited from using general fund property tax revenue to support multi-jurisdictional or statutory housing authorities, like the Eagle County Housing and Development Authority in Senator Roberts’ district. Senate Bill 1 cuts red tape by removing that restriction; providing counties the ability to use property tax revenue to support workforce housing and housing authorities.
SB26-002
Senators Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs
Representative Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn
Affordable electricity is increasingly crucial as Colorado transitions to renewable energy. Senate Bill 2 tackles unaffordable utility bills through creation of the FARE (First Allotment of Residential Electricity) service program. For income-qualified customers of an investor-owned utility, the program would provide a minimum level of electricity needed to support basic living needs at a marginal cost rate. The bill also stipulates that implementation of the FARE service must not directly increase the cost of utility services for other customers.
SB26-003
Senators Katie Wallace, D-Longmont, & Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County
Representative Kyle Brown, D-Louisville
Colorado is a national leader in electric vehicle (EV) adoption and keeping that momentum is critical to addressing air pollution, as transportation is the leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions in the state. Senate Bill 3 would expand last year's Battery Stewardship Act to include EV batteries and put the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Hazardous Waste Division in charge of regulating end-of-life management for electric vehicle batteries. The bill provides the framework for the reuse and repurposing of economically viable batteries via the free market, while ensuring that unwanted batteries are responsibly recycled and not improperly stored or disposed.
SB26-004
Senator Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial
Representative Meg Froelich, D-Englewood
Senate Bill 4 would add health care facilities that employ co-responders and health care professionals to the list of community members that may petition the court for an extreme risk protection order (ERPO). It would also add health care facilities, behavioral health treatment facilities, K-12 schools, and higher education institutions as institutional petitioners that may petition a court for an ERPO.
In 2019, Colorado Democrats passed legislation allowing for the issuance of ERPOs, wherein qualified individuals may petition a judge to temporarily remove a firearm from a potentially dangerous individual and interrupt gun violence before it has a chance to occur. In 2024, the most recent data available, there were 164 ERPO petitions filed in Colorado.
SB26-005
Senators Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, & Julie Gonzales, D-Denver
Representatives Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, & Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins
Currently, there is no adequate legal remedy in state or federal court for federal constitutional violations by officials in immigration enforcement. Senate Bill 5 protects constitutional rights by establishing a state court cause of action for damages suffered through violation of the U.S. Constitution in the context of civil immigration enforcement. Under the bill, those found responsible for violations could be held liable for legal or equitable relief, and any claims would have to be filed within two years of the incident.