Bill to Expand Preventive Health Care Coverage and Save Lives Passes Committee Unanimously

DENVER, CO – The Senate Health and Human Services Committee today unanimously passed bipartisan legislation to expand preventive health care coverage to combat chronic kidney disease (CKD). 

HB26-1019, sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, would ensure early-stage kidney function screening services, including urine or blood tests, are considered preventive health care by insurance carriers.

“Improving access to early kidney function screenings saves lives and can lower the cost of health care for everyone,” said Roberts. “Chronic kidney disease impacts thousands of Coloradans, and finding it early means treatment is less expensive and more effective. Every Coloradan deserves access to preventive care that can improve their quality of life and keep them healthy for the long-haul.” 

Also sponsored by Senator Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction, HB26-1019 would save patients money on health care and encourage early detection of CKD, especially for high-risk patients with hypertension or diabetes. It would require private health insurance companies, including large, small and individual employers, to cover early-stage kidney function screening services without cost-sharing with patients.

CDK affects more than one in seven adults, equating to an estimated 35.5 million Americans. Diabetes, high blood pressure and a family history of kidney disease can increase risk factors. Despite the prevalence of kidney disease, early-stage kidney disease often has little to no symptoms. Nine in 10 adults do not know they have CKD until the disease advances into the late stages. The cost of treatment in the late stages of CDK is significantly more expensive than if treated early on, often surprising patients with massive medical costs just as they begin to grapple with symptoms of the disease. In 2024, more than 8,700 Colorado residents were living with kidney failure, according to the American Kidney Fund.

HB26-1019 now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

Trio of Bills to Prevent Gun Violence Pass Committee

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee passed three bills to prevent gun violence and save lives. 

HB26-1265, sponsored by Senators Katie Wallace, D-Longmont, and William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield, would require each law enforcement agency in Colorado to register with eTrace and opt in to eTrace’s feature that allows for collaboration.

“We owe it to everyone affected by gun violence in Colorado to do all we can to prevent future tragedies,” Wallace said. “This legislation would ensure that state law enforcement agencies have every tool at their disposal to track trafficked guns and help stem the ensuing tide of gun violence.”

“Collaboration between law enforcement agencies allows for the quickest possible response and investigation after an incident involving firearms,” Lindstedt said. “Colorado Democrats are committed to making our communities safer. HB26-1265 is a critical piece of that commitment.”

Law enforcement agencies would be required to record information into eTrace when they:

• Recover or confiscate firearms in connection with a criminal investigation,

• Seize or forfeit firearms in connection with domestic violence crimes, and

• Obtain an abandoned or discarded firearm.

eTrace is a bilingual service that allows for collaboration among all participating law enforcement agencies. Law enforcement can submit trace requests through eTrace to quickly determine the firearm’s origin, helping identify potential firearms traffickers and suspects in criminal investigations. Nearly 640,000 firearm trace requests were completed in fiscal year 2024.

Last year, the Trump Administration revoked a policy that prevented gun dealers from selling guns to criminals. Trump also proposed a $400 million cut to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, leaving more pressure on states to address firearm trafficking.

HB26-1126, sponsored by Senator Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, would strengthen existing Colorado law to better prevent gun theft and illegal gun sales. 

“Regulatory updates happen when we stand up a department of qualified individuals, send them to work, and listen to what they have to say – and these bills do exactly that,” Kipp said. “I’m proud to sponsor these two bills to optimize the use of our resources, shore up protections against firearm theft, and ultimately stop preventable acts of gun violence before they occur.”

Colorado law currently requires firearm dealers to hold a state permit to sell firearms and firearm components. HB26-1126 would also require an individual to hold a state permit to transfer firearms. Currently, firearm dealers are only required to keep a record of the sales, rentals or exchanges of pistols and revolvers. The bill strengthens record-keeping requirements by requiring firearm transactions to be recorded and requiring that these records be maintained electronically.

HB26-1126 would prevent firearm theft by requiring firearm dealers to secure large-capacity magazines behind a counter in a locked case or in a locked room that is not accessible to the public, except when showing these products to a customer who is eligible to purchase them or during a repair. Within 72 hours of learning of a loss or theft of a firearm, firearm dealers would be required to report it.

To help ensure compliance, this bill would impose fines for violations of the law before revoking a firearm dealer’s permit. Beginning January 1, 2027, a second or subsequent offense could result in a fine of up to $75,000.

Studies show that policies regulating firearm dealer licensing can lead to significant reductions in gun violence, including gun homicides and suicides. After Connecticut passed a similar law, its firearm homicide rate fell by 28 percent and firearm suicide rate decreased by 33 percent.

Additionally, the committee passed HB26-1302, also sponsored by Kipp, to allow the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) InstaCheck unit to set business hours that best suit business needs. Under current law, Instacheck must stay open for at least 12 hours daily, except on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Under the bill, CBI must consistently review certain statistics and data to determine appropriate hours of operation. 

All three bills now move to the Senate floor for further consideration. 

Kolker Bill to Strengthen Access to PERA Passes Committee Unanimously

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

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

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

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

The bill would also allow DSST employees to purchase more than 10 years of service credit within a specified window for their years at DSST to allow long-term employees to transfer over to PERA without negative impacts to their retirement plans. 

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

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

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

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

SB26-151 now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

Legislation to Rename the COYAC Review Committee to Honor Senator Faith Winter Advances

DENVER, CO – The Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee today passed legislation to rename the Colorado Youth Advisory Council (COYAC) Review Committee to honor and memorialize the late Senator Faith Winter.

SB26-143, sponsored by Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver, and Senator Katie Wallace, D-Longmont, would rename it the Representative Hugh McKean and Senator Faith Winter COYAC Review Committee. 

“Faith was dedicated to empowering young people to become passionate about the legislative process, represent their communities, and make a difference,” said Coleman. “She fought to save COYAC during tough budget cuts and was a tireless advocate for youth representation in the legislature. It is only fitting that her name and legacy be formally tied to this program.” 

“Faith was an incredible advocate for youth involvement in the legislative process,” said Wallace. “COYAC was near and dear to her heart and I can think of no better way to honor her than to have her name on this program. The COYAC Review Committee ensures the powerful voices of young people are not just included but shape real legislation that has an impact on the lives of young people. This bill ensures that Faith’s name and legacy will always be tied to this work that meant so much to her.” 

In 2008, lawmakers established COYAC to give Colorado’s youth a voice in the lawmaking process. Since its creation, COYAC members have worked to develop policy recommendations on issues of youth concern and promote civic engagement amongst Colorado’s youth. It consists of 40 youth members, ages 14-19, who serve two year terms. 

The Representative Hugh McKean COYAC Review Committee was established in 2019 to review the work of COYAC and recommend legislation affecting Colorado youth. Alongside Representative McKean, Senator Winter was a staunch supporter of COYAC, a member of the review committee, and a champion for including youth voices in legislative decision-making.

SB26-143 now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track its progress HERE. 

JOINT RELEASE: Lawmakers Unveil Legislation to Make Property Insurance More Affordable

DENVER, CO – Today Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Representative Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, highlighted new legislation to stabilize Colorado’s homeowners insurance market and make property insurance more affordable through the creation of a grant program to fortify roofs against costly wind and hail damage.

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

“We’re taking action to lower property insurance premiums and make Colorado more affordable,” said McCluskie. “As climate change intensifies, extreme weather events will make it harder and harder for homeowners to find and afford property insurance coverage. The legislation we’re unveiling today would help homeowners protect their properties from hail damage to lower premiums for everyone, stabilize Colorado’s property insurance market and reduce housing costs for Coloradans. This bill will lower rates across the state, even in High Country communities that do not typically experience hailstorms, to save Coloradans money.”

“Hail risk makes up over half of the cost of homeowner premiums in Colorado, which is why we’re introducing legislation to increase fortified roof installations to reduce property damage and lower premiums,” said Brown. “Colorado is one of the most expensive states in the country for home insurance, with premium rates increasing 33 percent last year. This effort will help protect Colorado communities from large-scale natural disasters and lower property insurance costs for homeowners.”

“Homeowners have been struggling across Colorado with high homeowners insurance rates over the past several years,” said Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway. “We know that hail in particular is a huge contributor to rising premiums. This targeted approach of establishing a grant program for fortifying roofs against hail will help mitigate against increasing extreme weather events in our changing climate. This strategy has a proven track record in other states, and it’s time we bring that success to Colorado. I want to thank Senator Mullica and his team for all of the hard work that was put into this bill, and I urge the Colorado General Assembly to support it.”

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

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

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

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

Legislation to Support Rural EMS Passes Senate

HB26-1238 would designate EMS as essential services to increase access in rural and frontier communities

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield, to designate Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as an essential component of Colorado’s health care system. 

“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,” Lindstedt said. “This bill would uplift these essential health care workers and remove barriers so they can fulfill their duties to the best of their ability.”

HB26-1238, cosponsored by Senator Mark Baisley, R-Woodland Park, would designate 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. This bill aims to improve planning and coordination across agencies, which will foster more reliable emergency response. 

With the essential services designation, the bill would clarify operational expectations of EMS during disasters and closures and ensure that EMS providers are reimbursed for eligible travel. To improve system coordination, HB26-1238 would bolster the ability for licensed ambulance services to participate in telecommunications, mutual aid and interoperable communications systems and receive reimbursement. The bill would also provide protections to EMS providers by clarifying that off-duty EMS providers are not obligated to respond to an emergency.

HB26-1238 now moves to the Governor’s desk for his signature. Track its progress here. 

JOINT RELEASE: Signed! Bill to Expand and Improve Colorado’s Red Flag Law

SB26-004 builds on past legislation to prevent gun violence and save lives

DENVER, CO – Today Governor Polis signed into law legislation to expand Colorado’s existing “Red Flag” law and proactively de-escalate violent situations and save lives. 

SB26-004, sponsored by Senators Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, and Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Representatives Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, and Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, expands the list of community members eligible to petition for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) to include health care and education institutions.

“In Colorado, our ‘Red Flag’ law has already helped prevent gun violence, but we can strengthen it to give more people the opportunity to save lives,” said Sullivan. “Adding health care and education facilities to the list of qualified petitioners for an ERPO helps ensure that trusted community members are able to reach those who are a danger to themselves or others sooner and stop more violence before it occurs.”

“Our law will help prevent gun crimes and suicides to save countless Colorado lives while safeguarding people’s rights through a proven process,” said Froelich. “Colorado Democrats created our Red Flag law in 2019 to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals. We’re strengthening this gun violence prevention law to save more lives and make Colorado a safer place to live for all.”

“Colorado’s ‘Red Flag’ law exists to prevent gun violence so that families have the freedom to go to school, church, and the grocery store without fear,” said Gonzales. “Strengthening this already highly effective law will allow us to stop preventable acts of gun violence and save more Coloradans' lives.”

“This new law refines Colorado’s Red Flag law to expand the use of this life-saving tool,” said Willford. “Co-responders often have the most direct contact and information about someone who is experiencing a crisis, and allowing them to file an ERPO petition means that the judicial system can make a more informed decision to remove access to firearms from an individual in crisis. Colorado’s Red Flag law saves lives, and our law makes it an even stronger tool to prevent gun violence.”

SB26-004 adds co-responders and entities that employ or contract with specified community members to the list of those who may petition the court for an ERPO. It also adds 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.

Passed in 2019, Colorado Democrats’ original ERPO legislation allows qualified individuals to 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 2023, lawmakers passed legislation to expand the list of qualified individuals eligible to petition for an ERPO to include DAs and other law enforcement officials, licensed health care professionals, educators, and mental health professionals.

In 2024, the most recent data available, there were 164 ERPO petitions filed in Colorado.

Bill to Boost Renewable Energy and Create Jobs Passes Committee

HB26-1268 would streamline permitting for renewable energy developments on underutilized land

DENVER, CO – The Senate Transportation and Energy Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Senator William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield, to streamline permitting for renewable energy developments on underutilized land for communities across the state. 

“Colorado communities are ready to make investments in renewable energy to drive down utility costs, create jobs, and boost sustainability, but state regulatory barriers slow the process and limit where these investments can happen,” Lindstedt said. “This legislation would give municipalities more leeway and more options so they can make the best energy choices and investments for them.”

HB26-1268 would allow, not require, local governments to designate areas for renewable energy sites, specifically solar and energy storage system projects. To begin a renewable energy project, local governments would be required to hold at least one public hearing, engage in outreach to disproportionately impacted communities, and ensure that an eligible project may be permitted and constructed in accordance with state laws. Some examples of land could include decommissioned oil and gas sites, industrial sites, closed landfills, and previously mined areas. 

This bill would empower local governments to utilize already disturbed land to attract and build renewable energy resources. Under HB26-1268, local governments would have more available tools to reach renewable energy goals and take advantage of tax increment financing, a tax financing tool, to reinvest in their communities.

HB26-1268 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track its progress here. 

Bill to Strengthen Maternal Health Equity Passes Senate

DENVER, CO – Legislation to strengthen Colorado’s response to maternal health inequities passed the Senate today.

HB26-1044, sponsored by Senators Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs, and Adrienne Benavidez, D-Commerce City, would promote respectful, evidence-based maternity care and address racial inequities in childbirth.

“Black women deserve to be listened to and given high-quality care at all times, including during pregnancy and childbirth,” said Exum. “It is unacceptable that bias in our health care system frequently causes delayed care and worse outcomes for Black women and babies. This bill will give us more data to understand the problem and requires concrete steps to improve care for women of color.”

“We must do more to address the health inequities that cause preventable tragedies during pregnancy and childbirth,” said Benavidez. “Through strengthening education for providers and patients, centering respectful care, and improving data and reporting, this bill addresses maternal health inequities head-on to ensure Black women get the care they need.” 

The bill builds upon previous legislation to improve maternal health care, especially for women of color. It would require the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) to report on maternal health outcomes for populations known to have the worst mortality outcomes. The bill would also ensure that CDPHE’s Maternal Health Task Force has at least one maternal health advocate that represents these communities.

To boost equity in maternal care, this bill would require licensing boards to consider including cultural competency training as part of the Continuing Medical Education (CME) requirements for health care providers. Birthing facilities would also be required to provide information to patients who request it about their rights, which include the right to culturally sensitive, evidence-based care and the right to have a birthing companion and family member during the birth. 

In 2023, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was more than three times higher than white women. In addition, Black and American Indian and Alaska Native infants are at least two times more likely to die than white infants. Research also shows that pregnancy-related mortality of Black women persists across education and income levels, and Black women are at a significantly higher risk for severe maternal morbidity, which includes conditions such as preeclampsia.

HB26-1044 now heads back to the House for consideration of amendments. Track its progress HERE.

JOINT RELEASE: Willford, Wallace Statement Regarding Tina Peters Court of Appeals Decision

DENVER, CO – Chair of the House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee Representative Jenny Willford and Chair of the Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee Katie Wallace today released the following statement regarding the Colorado Court of Appeals decision to uphold Tina Peters' conviction and order that she be re-sentenced by a District Court: 

Representative Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, and Senator Katie Wallace, D-Longmont:

“We are grateful the Colorado Court of Appeals upheld Ms. Peter’s conviction. Ms. Peters was convicted by a jury of her peers on multiple felonies and has since shown no remorse for her crimes. She continues to push election-denial conspiracy theories that threaten the integrity of Colorado’s gold standard elections.

“We trust the District Court will keep the facts in mind as they consider Ms. Peters’ re-sentencing.

“Colorado Democrats will continue to push back against any attempt to undermine or threaten our election officials. Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of democracy, and that is worth safeguarding.” 

Last month, Representative Willford and Senator Wallace spearheaded a letter urging Governor Jared Polis not to grant clemency, sentence commutation, or a federal transfer to Tina Peters. All House and Senate Democrats signed on in support of this letter.

Senate Approves Bill to Ensure Quality Drinking Water in Mobile Home Parks

HB26-1145 would strengthen Colorado water quality laws in mobile home parks

DENVER, CO – Today, legislation sponsored by Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, to improve water quality standards in mobile home parks passed the Senate.

“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," Cutter said. “This legislation 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."

“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,” Mullica said. “This bill 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.”

HB26-1145 would strengthen water quality protections for Coloradans in mobile home parks. The bill expands the definition of “remediation” to include risks to welfare, which is 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.

The bill would authorize 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 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 the framework created by the Mobile Home Park Water Quality Act. The department identified 28 parks where the water quality did not meet health-based standards. As of December 2025, 12 of those parks had remediated all issues, and the department is continuing to work with the remaining parks to address these issues.

HB26-1145 now moves to the Governor’s desk for signature. Track its progress HERE. 

Senate Approves Bill to Allow Plug-In Solar Panels

HB26-1007 would save Coloradans money on their energy bills by expanding access to cost-saving solar

DENVER, CO – Legislation to remove barriers to plug-in solar panels and save Coloradans money on their utility bills passed the Senate today. 

HB26-1007, sponsored by Senators Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, and Matt Ball, D-Denver, would authorize access to plug-in solar panels, which can be plugged into a home electrical outlet and are more affordable than traditional rooftop solar.

“This bill reduces barriers and establishes safety standards so that Coloradans who want a reliable, affordable source of renewable energy can use plug-in solar panels,” said Kipp. “Coloradans are interested in plug-in solar for a variety of reasons like reducing their carbon footprint, lowering their utility bills, or ensuring a reliable back-up source of energy in the case of a power outage. No matter their reasoning, Coloradans should be able to pursue this technology without unnecessary barriers.” 

“Plug-in solar panels expand access to solar energy for people who live in an apartment or can’t afford a full rooftop system,” said Ball. “The technology is safe, cost-efficient, and already widely used in other places. This bill gives Coloradans the option to use plug-in solar and connect to the grid through a meter collar to start saving money and producing their own clean energy.” 

Plug-in solar, also referred to as balcony solar, can be plugged into a home electrical outlet and is more affordable than traditional rooftop solar. It consists of one to four solar panels plus an inverter and optional battery and is designed for simple, safe installation. Plug-in solar can be used to power household appliances and offer Coloradans an alternative, reliable energy source that can also reduce traditional utility costs.

The bill would establish protective guardrails on the types of plug-in solar products that can be used. Under this bill, all plug-in solar devices installed must meet the UL 3700 product safety standard. 

HB26-1007 would also encourage the use of meter collars. Meter collars are devices installed between an electric meter socket and a utility billing meter to provide immediate interconnection of customer-owned solar devices to the grid. Meter collars eliminate the need for a costly electrical panel upgrade, saving Coloradans money and time on solar installation. This bill outlines a safe, consistent and repeatable solar installation process with minimal disruption and short installation times to benefit Coloradans. 

Plug-in solar is common in Europe. For example, in Germany, approximately 4 million households have installed plug-in solar. If passed, Colorado would join Utah in becoming early adopters of safe, reliable, plug-in solar in the United States. 

HB26-1007 now heads back to the House for consideration of amendments. Track its progress HERE.

Legislation to Support Rural EMS Unanimously Passes Committee

HB26-1238 would designate EMS as essential services to increase access in rural and frontier communities

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield, to designate Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as an essential component of Colorado’s health care system. 

“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,” Lindstedt said. “This bill would uplift these essential health care workers and remove barriers so they can fulfill their duties to the best of their ability.”

HB26-1238, cosponsored by Senator Mark Baisley, R-Woodland Park, would designate 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. This bill aims to improve planning and coordination across agencies, which will foster more reliable emergency response. 

With the essential services designation, the bill would clarify operational expectations of EMS during disasters and closures and ensure that EMS providers are reimbursed for eligible travel. To improve system coordination, HB26-1238 would bolster the ability for licensed ambulance services to participate in telecommunications, mutual aid and interoperable communications systems and receive reimbursement. The bill would also provide protections to EMS providers by clarifying that off-duty EMS providers are not obligated to respond to an emergency.

HB26-1238 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track its progress here. 

Bill to Strengthen Behavioral Health Care Workforce and Save Patients Money Passes Senate

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed bipartisan legislation to expand access to behavioral health care by removing barriers for providers and patients. 

HB26-1002, sponsored by Senator Matt Ball, D-Denver, would reduce administrative burdens for providers and patients, modernize licensing requirements, save patients money on out-of-pocket care, and reduce wait times for behavioral health care.

“Mental health care is still far too difficult for Coloradans to access, even when they have insurance,” said Ball. “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 bill eliminates barriers so that more Coloradans can get care and more qualified providers can see 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 and inconsistent credentialing processes cause delays for providers eager to see patients and patients wait longer to receive care. 

To increase the amount of in-network providers available to Coloradans, HB26-1002 would set timely standards for the credentialing of providers and ensure qualified, pre-licensed providers get the reimbursement they deserve. The bill, cosponsored by Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, would also require insurance carriers to keep provider information up-to-date and remove misleading “ghost networks,” which show contact information for providers that are not actually covered in a patient’s plan.

Additionally, the bill would reduce the hours to obtain a licensed clinical social worker degree from 3,360 hours to 3,000 hours so that qualified social workers can start seeing patients sooner.

If signed into law, Colorado would join Oklahoma, New York, New Jersey and Illinois in taking similar action to boost their behavioral health care workforce and patients’ access to timely care.  

HB26-1002 now heads back to the House for consideration of amendments. Track its progress HERE.

Legislation to Protect the Financial Security of “Kidfluencers” Passes Senate

HB26-1058 would ensure children featured in online content are paid for their work

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senators Matt Ball, D-Denver, and Katie Wallace, D-Longmont, to protect the financial security and right to privacy of minors who appear in monetized online content passed the Senate today. 

“Across Colorado, parents and guardians are increasingly creating content that generates real income, but the children they feature may reach adulthood with nothing, despite years of their image and likeness being used for profit,” Ball said. “In the early days of Hollywood, states stepped in to ensure that child actors were fairly compensated for their work in adulthood. This legislation would offer the same compensation and protections for children participating in the digital economy.”

“Kidfluencers have entertained social media users across Colorado for years, but current law doesn’t require any earnings to be saved or shared with the child,” Wallace said. “This new bill will make necessary updates to prevent exploitation of Colorado kids online, ensuring the earnings they make as kids will be available to them as adults.”

HB26-1058 would establish new protections and requirements for children featured in online content, also known as “kidfluencers.” To ensure children are paid for their work, parents would be required to establish a trust for their child if all three conditions are met:

• The content creator earns at least $40,000 a year from online content; 

• The child is featured in 30-percent or more of monetized content in a 30 day period; and

• The content earns at least $0.10 per view in total compensation, including from sponsorships.

This bill would also allow children featured in monetized online content to request that the videos, pictures or other content be removed from the internet when they reach adulthood. It would protect against the sexualization of children for financial gain and establish avenues to pursue civil action on behalf of children if they are featured in sexualized content. To further stop the sexualization of children online, the bill would require social media platforms to develop and implement risk-based strategies that keep children safe.  

Similar laws to protect child actors are already in place. Established in the late 1930s, California’s Coogan Law requires the earnings of child performers be placed in a protected trust. If HB26-1058 is signed into law, Colorado would join Illinois, California, Minnesota and Utah in enacting kidfluencer protections.

HB26-1058 now moves back to the House for consideration of amendments. Track its progress HERE. 

JOINT RELEASE: Willford and Wallace Joint Statement on Trump’s Attack on Vote-by-Mail

DENVER, CO – House State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Chair Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, and Senate State, Military and Veterans Affairs Chair Katie Wallace, D-Longmont, today released the following joint statement on President Trump’s Executive Order attacking vote-by-mail and aiming to exert federal control over states’ elections: 

“There is bipartisan agreement in Colorado that county clerks conduct secure and trusted elections, and post-election audits leave no doubt that results are accurate. This unlawful executive order is a blatant attempt to disrupt voting in Colorado and is a direct attack on our democracy. We’ve passed critical legislation in recent years to safeguard our elections system from insider attacks and unprecedented federal threats. We will defend vote-by-mail in Colorado from Trump’s extreme federal overreach, and we will continue to fight back against disproven conspiracies that undermine faith in our elections and perpetuate threats against election officials.” 

Willford and Wallace are advancing HB26-1113 alongside Representative Emily Sirota, D-Denver, and Senator Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. The legislation helps protect against election interference and attacks on the United States Postal Service by mailing ballots earlier, so there is more time to vote and return ballots if there are mail delays.

Bill to Increase Transparency, Modernize Regulatory Review Processes Passes Committee Unanimously

DENVER, CO – The Senate Finance Committee unanimously passed bipartisan legislation to improve government transparency and streamline regulations today.

SB26-137, sponsored by Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver, would require state departments to review their rules and regulations every five years and would add additional considerations to guide these reviews.

“Rules and regulations are important – they keep our air and water clean, our roads safe, and our families healthy,” said Coleman. “Part of governing responsibly is continually reviewing what regulations are working, where there are gaps, and what we need to update or streamline. This bill would ensure that Colorado agencies review their rules every five years to reduce redundancies and improve effectiveness.” 

Under current law, departments are required to periodically review their rules to determine whether they are still necessary, efficient, and effective. There is no criteria for how regularly this review must happen. 

Also sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, SB26-137 would add additional considerations during these reviews including: whether redundant rules can be eliminated, whether a rule is outdated or obsolete, whether funding levels are appropriate, and whether the rule can be more effective.

SB26-137 now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

Legislation to Create More Affordable Home Ownership Opportunities Passes Senate

SB26-040 would modernize 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 passed the Senate today.

SB26-040, sponsored by Senator Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, would expand eligibility for qualified buyers and make practical updates to better 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 bill 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.”

The bill, also sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, would increase the allowable income threshold to qualify for the program to less than or equal to 120 percent of statewide Area Median Income (AMI) or the local AMI. This would allow 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. This bill would create a process to allow some homeowners to spend more than 35 percent of their income on housing when a qualified buyer is not found after six months of advertising. 

Additionally, the bill would allow eligible organizations to temporarily rent units if they cannot be sold in a timely manner and create more flexibility in the program rules. These updates would help ensure that the program is working as intended and serving as many Coloradans as possible. 

SB26-040 now heads to the House for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

Legislation to Protect Children Online, Improve Public Safety Signed Into Law

SB26-011 will ensure timely, reliable compliance with search warrants

DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation to improve warrant response timelines for online platforms and keep communities safe was signed into law today.

SB26-011, sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and House Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, establishes precise requirements for how large online social media platforms must receive, acknowledge, and respond to search warrants issued by Colorado courts.

“As a former Deputy District Attorney, I saw firsthand how critical digital evidence can be in serious criminal investigations,” said Roberts. “Increasingly, warrants are being disregarded or not treated with the seriousness they deserve by social media platforms, and delays in accessing evidence can have real consequences. SB26-011 helps ensure that court-approved warrants are respected so investigators can move quickly and responsibly.”

“Our legislation is about making sure families who have been harmed aren’t left waiting for justice,” said Boesenecker. “When a judge authorizes a lawful search warrant, law enforcement deserves timely access to evidence, whether it exists in a filing cabinet or with a social media platform. 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.”

Also sponsored by Senator Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, and House Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell, R-Monument, the bill covers social media websites, online services, or mobile applications that have at least one million monthly users, allow users to create profiles, and allow users to create or share content.

Under the new 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.

Bill to Prohibit 3D-Printing of Firearms Passes Senate

HB26-1144 would strengthen Colorado’s existing law to crack down on ghost guns

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senators Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, and Katie Wallace, D-Longmont, to prevent gun violence by prohibiting the three-dimensional printing of firearms, large-capacity magazines or other firearm components passed the Senate today.

“The rise in 3D-printer technology has introduced a new front in our fight to prevent gun violence in the United States,” Sullivan said. “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," Wallace said. "The threat of 3D printed weapons is growing, but it is also preventable. This legislation would close loopholes in existing law to prevent gun violence and make Colorado safer.”

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

Since 2016, the number of ghost guns used in crimes throughout the country 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.

Colorado Democrats passed the original “ghost guns” law back in 2023, which prohibited the possession, sale or transfer of unserialized firearms, frames and receivers.

HB26-1144 now moves back to the House for consideration of amendments. Track its progress HERE.