JOINT RELEASE: ICYMI: CO Dems’ Bill to Prohibit 3D Printing of Ghost Guns is Now Law

HB26-1144 strengthens Colorado’s law to crack down on ghost guns

DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed a gun violence prevention bill into law. HB26-1144 will help prohibit the three-dimensional printing of firearms, large-capacity magazines or other firearm components.

“Three-dimensional printing technology has become much more accessible in recent years, which has been taken advantage of by bad actors who print firearms and firearm parts to avoid background checks and other gun violence prevention laws,” said Rep. Lindsay Gilchrist, D-Denver. “3D printed guns and gun components are an increasing threat in our communities because they lack identification that law enforcement can use to track the weapon back to a suspect, and they undermine life-saving guardrails like background checks and waiting periods. Our law cracks down on this illegal practice to protect our communities from gun violence 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 Sen. Tom Sullivan, D-Aurora. “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.”

“We’re being responsive to new technology that threatens the safety of our communities by creating a new law to ensure that everyone must adhere to Colorado’s laws before they can access a firearm,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “I proudly passed Colorado’s ghost gun ban in 2023, which helped prevent unserialized guns and gun parts from terrorizing our communities. This law strengthens our 2023 law to keep ghost guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals and protect Coloradans from gun violence.”

"In Colorado, three lives are lost to gun violence every single day. This new law is an intervention in that violence and in the growing threat of untraceable, 3D printed firearms," said Sen. Katie Wallace, D-Longmont. "The threat of 3D printed weapons is growing, but it is also preventable. This law will close loopholes in existing law 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 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, also sponsored by Speaker Pro Tem Boesenecker, in 2023, which prohibited the possession, sale or transfer of unserialized firearms, frames and receivers.

Bill to Support Immigrant Communities Amid ICE Overreach Moves Forward

DENVER, CO – The Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday passed legislation sponsored by Senators Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, and Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, to support immigrant communities, improve transparency for state and local law enforcement, and increase oversight of immigration detention facilities. 

“The Trump Administration is abducting members of our community and holding them in secretive, unhealthy, and dangerous facilities. One of them is right in my district,” said Weissman. “That’s why we are taking action to improve transparency and oversight of these facilities. We all deserve the freedom to keep our families together and have due process under the law.” 

“As state legislators, we have a responsibility to do everything we can to keep our communities safe from the violent and unconstitutional overreach of ICE,” said Jodeh. “We hear all too often about death, sickness, overcrowding, and other unacceptable conditions in ICE detention facilities, but there is almost no transparency. This bill is about increasing oversight, ensuring frequent inspections, and protecting Coloradans’ personal information from ICE.”

Specifically, HB26-1276 would:

• Require reporting on conditions in immigration detention facilities through frequent and regular inspections of the health and safety of facilities, in addition to unannounced inspections.

• Strengthen laws on the sharing of personal information by state agencies and their employees. 

• Direct the Attorney General’s office to develop a policy for sharing information with federal authorities when required by federal law. The policy must include transparency requirements, such as who is requesting the personal information. 

• Require current law enforcement to receive training on Colorado’s immigration laws to ensure they enforce state laws properly.

Last year, Democratic lawmakers passed SB25-276 to strengthen existing data privacy protections and clarify constitutional protections for immigrants.

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

JOINT RELEASE: Gov Signs Bipartisan Bill to Protect the Financial Security of “Kidfluencers”

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

DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation into law to protect the financial security and right to privacy of minors who appear in monetized online content.

“In a digital age, we need to be doing more to prioritize the safety and financial security of children featured in online content, which is why this legislation is being signed into law today,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “This bipartisan law steps up to protect ‘kidfluencers’ by requiring parents to establish a trust for their child when videos earn thousands of dollars. It also provides the right to remove online content once a child reaches adulthood. I’m proud to have sponsored this new law that helps protect the privacy and personal dignity of Coloradans with online content."

“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,” said Sen. Matt Ball, D-Denver. “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,” said Sen. Katie Wallace, D-Longmont. “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, also sponsored by Rep. Scott Slaugh, R-Berthoud, establishes new protections and requirements for children featured in online content, also known as “kidfluencers.” To ensure children are paid for their work, parents must 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 law also allows 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 protects against the sexualization of children for financial gain and establishes 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 law requires 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. Colorado joins Illinois, California, Minnesota and Utah in enacting “kidfluencer” protections.

Committee Approves Bill to Connect Coloradans to Well-Paying Jobs

DENVER, CO – The Senate Education Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, to better connect students and workers with the resources they need to secure well-paying jobs. 

“The programs we’ve built to help people find jobs just don’t connect the way they should. This fragmentation makes them less effective for the very people they’re supposed to serve,” Bridges said. “This bill starts to fix that by reworking how we think about postsecondary pathways so more Coloradans can find real opportunities, contribute in their communities, and earn wages that actually pay the bills.”

HB26-1317, cosponsored by Senator Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, would lay the foundation for a new, unified system and department for postsecondary education development. With a focus on a thoughtful, inclusive stakeholder process, this bill would establish a Transition Advisory Committee (TAC) of 27 members, including representatives from state agencies, institutions of higher education, apprenticeship programs, organized labor, local workforce centers, local government, non-profit associations and the business community. The TAC’s recommendations will serve as the structural outline for the new department.

This bill would also begin the process to unite several programs, including the Divisions of Employment and Training, Regional Talent Summit Initiatives, Plans and Opportunity Now Grants and Adult Education and Literacy Programs, among others, under one new agency. Last year, Governor Polis shared a new report outlining a robust roadmap to streamline and strengthen the way Coloradans access education, training and career support. 

Research shows that in the next six years, nearly three in four job openings will require some type of post-secondary credential. However, there is an attainment gap between the need for credentials and the number of Coloradans earning these skills, which is a challenge for Colorado’s economy and workforce. HB26-1317 would begin the process to streamline more than 20 divisions, offices and units across seven state entities that deliver more than 100 programs and initiatives to create a one-stop-shop for Coloradans access to postsecondary education, training and employment.

HB26-1317 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track its progress here. 

Bill to Promote EV Battery Recycling Clears Senate

SB26-003 would improve responsible electric vehicle battery recycling, disposal, and storage

DENVER, CO – Legislation to promote responsible recycling, reusing, and managing of electric vehicle (EV) batteries at the end of a vehicle’s life passed the Senate today.

SB26-003, sponsored by Senator Katie Wallace, D-Longmont, and Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, would improve end-of-life management for EV, plug-in hybrid EV, and hybrid batteries.

“Coloradans who drive electric vehicles care about reducing their environmental footprint,” said Wallace. “But right now, Colorado lacks a clear framework to specify who is responsible for the battery at the end of a vehicle’s life, and that means batteries that could be re-used or recycled are needlessly going to waste. I’m proud to sponsor this legislation to promote the reuse of EV batteries and keep Colorado moving toward a more sustainable future.”

“Colorado is a leader in electric vehicle adoption. It's important that EV batteries are handled properly to ensure they are not a fire hazard, and ultimately recycled effectively," said Cutter. "This bill will help reduce reliance on newly mined minerals and improve the sustainability of electric vehicles. I have worked on sustainability, clean energy, and the circular economy for several years, so it's exciting to be part of this next big step for Colorado.” 

The bill would require EV manufacturers to collect and responsibly handle unwanted batteries, promoting the reuse and/or repurposing of viable batteries and ensuring responsible end-of-life management. Starting in 2030, manufacturers would also be required to submit regular safety plans on EV battery management to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Hazardous Waste Division. Additionally, SB26-003 would put in place new environmental and safety guidelines and minimum mineral recovery rates for battery recycling, ensuring the use of best practices, reducing environmental impact from mining and smelting, and supporting Colorado’s manufacturing economy.

Efficient recycling techniques reduce the environmental impact of electric vehicles and can help meet the demand for lithium, cobalt, and nickel for new EV batteries.

SB26-003 now heads to the House for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

Bill to Safeguard Colorado’s Gold Standard Elections Passes Senate

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed legislation to uphold the integrity of Colorado’s gold standard election system. 

HB26-1113, sponsored by Senators Katie Wallace, D-Longmont, and Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, would make necessary modifications and updates to Colorado’s election system. 

“This bill was in process long before President Trump’s illegal executive order threatening mail-in voting – but recent events make it all the more urgent,” said Wallace. “Colorado’s elections are safe, secure, and accurate, and we have some of the highest voter participation in the nation. This bill makes needed improvements, like extending the window to return a mail-in ballot, making it easier for young people to vote, and safeguarding against federal interference. It continues our long-held tradition of upholding free and fair elections in Colorado.”

“I’m proud to sponsor this legislation to further strengthen Colorado’s elections,” said Weissman. “The right of states to administer their own elections is crystal clear in the United States Constitution. This bill protects access to the ballot by extending voting windows, increasing access to drop boxes, and enacting protections against nefarious interference. The right to vote is the bedrock of our democracy, and we’re doing everything we can to shore that up in Colorado.” 

HB26-1113 would extend voting windows by prohibiting polling centers from closing early and allowing them to stay open longer to accommodate voters if the polling center runs out of supplies, such as ballots. The bill would also protect against 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. 

Drop boxes make it easier for voters to return their ballots, and this bill would increase the number of drop boxes at Colorado higher education institutions with at least 1,000 enrolled students. The bill would also improve the visibility of on-campus voting services and polling centers. To make voting more accessible to working Coloradans, HB26-1113 would allow for more flexibility and approval of leave requests that pertain to voting. Additionally, if a vacancy occurs before a U.S. Senator can fulfill their term, HB26-1113 would require that vacancies be filled by a candidate in the same political party as their predecessor to respect electoral outcomes and encourage continuity. 

President Trump recently issued an Executive Order attempting to restrict voter eligibility and mail voting. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has joined a multistate coalition suing the Trump Administration to stop this attempt at interfering with states’ constitutional authority to administer elections.

To respond to these threats, the bill would restrict the transfer of Coloradans’ voter data to any third party, including the federal government, without a court order or directive from the Secretary of State. It would also expand the definition of “disaster” in state law to include an occurrence or threat of an inability to carry out elections, and allow Colorado’s governor to convene an election emergency advisory group to respond in such cases.

Colorado has one of the highest voter turnout rates in the country. Over the years, Colorado Democrats have worked to safeguard Colorado’s gold standard election system. Last year, Colorado Democrats passed the Colorado Voting Rights Act to codify stronger voter protections and expand access to voting information for historically excluded communities. Colorado Democrats also passed the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act last year to expand protections against intimidation, threats or coercion against voters and election officials. 

This builds upon previous legislation to safeguard free and fair elections, including two laws from 2022 to prevent armed voter intimidation and insider election security threats and a 2021 law to improve ballot access for Coloradans with disabilities.

HB26-1113 now heads back to the House for consideration of amendments. Track its progress HERE.

Legislation to Establish Colorado’s Regulatory Framework on Automated Decision-Making Technology Introduced in Senate

DENVER, CO – Today Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, and Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver, introduced legislation to establish Colorado’s regulatory framework on automated decision-making technology (ADMT) when it is used to make consequential decisions about an individual.

“Even in the few years since I have been working on AI policy, we have seen it grow from a nascent industry to something that impacts every aspect of our lives,” said Rodriguez. “As AI becomes more widespread, our laws must keep up to ensure transparency and protections against discrimination. If someone is denied housing or a job, loses their healthcare, or sees their insurance rates mysteriously skyrocket at the hands of automated technology, they deserve to know what criteria went into that decision and to have an opportunity to correct mistakes. This bill strikes an appropriate balance of protecting consumers while not being onerous on developers or the businesses who use AI technology.”

“Colorado is leading the way on creating necessary guardrails on AI to protect Coloradans from harm while fostering a vibrant business environment,” said Coleman. “This bill reflects years of work to find the right policy framework for Colorado that protects consumers, requires transparency so that we know how important decisions are being made, and is reasonable for businesses to comply with.”

SB26-189 would update the regulatory framework on ADMT – defined as technology that automatically processes personal data and generates an output used to make, guide, or assist a decision concerning an individual – when such technology is used to make consequential decisions. “Consequential decisions” are defined in the bill as decisions that relate to an individual's access to, eligibility for, or compensation related to education, employment, housing, financial or lending services, insurance, healthcare services, or essential government services.

Securing consumer protections

To protect consumers, SB26-189 would require deployers – entities that use an ADMT – to provide a clear notice to consumers when they are interacting with an ADMT covered by the bill. If an ADMT makes a consequential decision that results in an adverse outcome for a consumer, the deployer would be required to provide the consumer with a plain-language description of the technology’s role in the decision and a process to request additional information about the decision within 30 days. In the case of an adverse outcome, consumers would have the right to request correction of factually inaccurate personal data and the right to request meaningful human review.

Implementing and enforcing the new framework

Beginning January 1, 2027, the bill would require ADMT developers to provide a deployer with a description of the technology’s intended uses, categories of data used to train the ADMT, known limitations and risks, and instructions for appropriate use and human review, as well as updates or modifications to the ADMT as they are made.

The legislation requires the Attorney General (AG) to adopt rules that clarify disclosure requirements after an adverse outcome by December 31, 2026. The AG would have exclusive authority to enforce the bill through the "Colorado Consumer Protection Act" and a violation of the bill would be deemed a deceptive trade practice. In the case of an alleged violation, the AG would be required to provide the developer or deployer with a 60 day notice and an opportunity to cure the violation, if a cure is deemed possible. The bill does not create a new private right of action. 

Ensuring balanced responsibility and liability

Under the bill, a developer or deployer of an ADMT may be liable for a violation of existing anti-discrimination law, including the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA). It further specifies that any fault in a violation of anti-discrimination law should be allocated based on the relative fault shared between the developer and deployer.

The liability section of SB26-189 establishes that a contract between a developer and deployer cannot indemnify against any liability under the CADA that arises solely from their own actions. The bill is structured to ensure that developers and deployers only have responsibility and liability with regards to the intended use of an ADMT in a consequential decision.

In 2024, Rodriguez passed first-of-its-kind legislation to implement consumer protections in interactions with high-risk artificial intelligence systems. Over the past six months, a task force convened by the governor met to develop and publish a new policy framework. SB26-189 would repeal the 2024 legislation and enact many of the recommendations developed by the task force.

SB26-189 was assigned to the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee and will be scheduled for its committee hearing in the coming days. Track its progress here.

Senate Approves Bill to Update the Front Range Passenger Rail District to Pave the Way for Future Progress

DENVER, CO – Legislation to make narrowly targeted updates to advance the Front Range Passenger Rail project, a train line that would connect communities from Fort Collins to Pueblo, passed the Senate today. 

SB26-172, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, and Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, would clean up district boundaries and ensure that the correct legal framework is in place for future ballot measures.

“Families in Fort Collins want an affordable, eco-friendly, and convenient way to travel along the Front Range,” said Kipp. “These communities are highly interconnected and our infrastructure should match how Coloradans live, work, and travel every day. This bill creates a strong foundation for this project to advance with accurate boundaries and community input.”

“For my community in Pueblo, Front Range Passenger Rail means opportunities for employment, visiting family, and enjoying everything Colorado has to offer in a way that meets how Coloradans want to travel,” said Hinrichsen. “This bill lays the groundwork for Front Range Passenger Rail to move forward, creating limitless opportunities for communities along the Front Range, including Pueblo.”

SB26-172 would update the Front Range Passenger Rail District boundaries to include municipalities who would be served by the rail line and remove municipalities outside of the service area. It would also create residency requirements for the district board and adjust how ballot measures are brought by the district, creating options for sub-districts.

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

Worker Protection Act Passes Senate

Legislation would update 83-year-old labor laws to increase wages and strengthen the middle class

DENVER, CO – Today, May Day, the Senate passed the “Worker Protection Act” to make it easier for workers to form a union. 

HB26-1005, sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, and Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, would update the Colorado Labor Peace Act by eliminating the requirement for employees to conduct a second election to negotiate a union security agreement clause in the collective bargaining process.

“Colorado is the only state in the country that requires workers to go through not just one, but two elections in order to form a union,” said Danielson. “This bill eliminates the burdensome, antiquated second election and makes it easier for workers who wish to form a union to do so. Workers in a union have better pay, more safety on the job, and a seat at the decision-making table. Coloradans have been loud and clear about their support of this bill, and we are with them.” 

“When you work hard, you should be able to provide for yourself and your family,” said Jodeh. “Colorado law should protect the freedom of workers to band together to fight for workplace safety, benefits, and the chance to earn a decent wage – not get in their way. The second election is a barrier created intentionally to make it harder to unionize. This bill puts Colorado in line with other states and creates opportunities for Colorado workers to realize their American dream.”

Currently, Colorado labor law requires two elections for workers seeking to form a union and collect dues: one that meets the federal standard set by the National Labor Relations Act, and a second election which must be won by a supermajority approval of at least 75 percent of those who vote, or 50 percent plus one of all employees eligible to vote, whichever is greater. This process creates a uniquely high threshold for workers to achieve the right to negotiate with their employers. 

The Worker Protection Act would eliminate the second election to make it easier for workers to join together to negotiate with their employers. 

Union member density in Colorado is below the national average of 9.9 percent. Based on 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Colorado’s union membership was 7.7 percent, far behind other states with free bargaining laws, including Minnesota (14.2 percent), Washington (16 percent), and California (14.5 percent).

Unions strengthen economies while driving more income to working families. On average, union workers earn 10.2 percent more than non-union workers with similar jobs and qualifications. Unions also play a role in increasing wages for all workers. For example, wages in states with anti-worker laws, also known as “right to work” laws, are 3.2 percent lower than in states without these laws. That translates to an average of $1,670 less per year for a non-union full-time worker.

Unions also reduce income inequality, bridge racial and gender pay gaps, and help families build wealth. Research shows that union membership is tied to larger wage gains for all workers, but union workers of color tend to experience a larger percentage of wealth gains. Additionally, unions help increase homeownership. For example, working class union households are 13 percent more likely to own a home.

HB26-1005 now heads to the Governor’s desk. Track its progress HERE.

Bill to Lower Emergency Health Care Costs, Sustain Rural EMS Passes Committee Unanimously

DENVER, CO – Legislation to strengthen Emergency Medical Services (EMS), especially in rural communities, passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee unanimously yesterday. 

HB26-1069, sponsored by Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, would streamline funding for EMS in Colorado by expanding the services eligible for Medicaid reimbursement to include on-site treatment and certain telehealthcare.

“As an emergency healthcare provider, I know that our EMS workers must have every tool at their disposal to provide care in-the-moment, and they should be reimbursed for that care,” said Mullica. “This bill will lower costs for patients, reduce overall healthcare spending, and close funding gaps so EMS can continue providing the life-saving care Colorado communities rely on.” 

EMS providers regularly provide essential on-site treatment, also known as treatment in place (TIP), which costs significantly less than a trip to the emergency room. However, EMS providers are only reimbursed if they transport a patient to an emergency room, even when that transport is not necessary. This bill would require Medicaid to reimburse EMS for TIP. It would also improve access to care by allowing Medicaid to reimburse for certain telehealthcare involving EMS.

To save patients and the state money on healthcare and sustain EMS in rural communities, this bill would also permit reimbursement when an individual experiencing a behavioral health crisis is transported to a crisis stabilization facility.

TIP limits the need for costly emergency room visits, saving the state and patients money on healthcare. For example, a federal TIP pilot program showed a 193-percent cost-to-savings ratio for Medicare members receiving TIP services instead of emergency room visits. On the Western Slope, a 2022 analysis of 911 calls in Eagle County revealed that TIP reimbursement accounted for a preliminary cost savings of $1,285.40 to the state per TIP call. HB26-1069 would save Colorado $2.1 million in FY 2026-27, $4.6 million in FY 2027-28 and $4.9 million in future years.

Lastly, HB26-1069 ensures that social workers who co-respond in emergency settings are classified as first responders and receive the same benefits as EMS providers, which will strengthen workforce recruitment and retention, especially in rural or underserved areas. 

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

Mobile Home Park Protections Bill Advances

DENVER, CO – The Senate Local Government and Housing Committee yesterday advanced legislation to make mobile home park sales more fair and transparent.

HB26-1224, sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, would strengthen Colorado’s Mobile Home Park Act (MHPA) to ensure that residents have a fair chance to purchase the land underneath their mobile home. 

“This legislation builds upon years of work to level the playing field for mobile home park residents who often own their home but not the land beneath it,” said Cutter. “We’ve implemented laws to help residents join together to purchase their parks, keeping costs down and creating opportunities for stability and ownership. This bill adds additional measures to facilitate residents’ ability to purchase their park when it goes up for sale.” 

“I've seen firsthand the opportunity for residents to purchase their mobile home park in action in my district – and it's transformational for preserving affordable, local housing.” said Roberts. “This bill ensures that more residents in our state will have the time and information they need to make that decision, including operating costs and financial disclosures, and adds new protections to prevent families from losing their home. This bill continues upon years of work to keep mobile home parks – which provide essential affordable housing – in the hands of our communities.”

Beginning January 1, 2027, the bill would give residents at least 90 days to conduct inspections and protect residents who negotiate in good faith. The bill would ban anti-competitive practices that inflate prices above market value to make it harder for residents to purchase the mobile home park.

HB26-1224 would improve transparency by requiring a landlord to disclose documentation to justify the list price of the property, the age and history of major infrastructure on the property, rental information and operating expenses. Upon request, the bill would also require a landlord to disclose any financial ties to potential buyers of the property and any agreements between the landlord and the potential buyer.

To prevent evictions and keep housing costs down, the bill would:

• Ensure that residents receive notice when a park owner is temporarily prohibited from raising lot rents;

• Require evictions to be based on an official government finding of a violated law, ordinance, or rule, not just an informal claim; and

• Limit the amount of the annual MHPA registration fee that can be passed onto homeowners to keep housing costs down.

In 2020, the legislature passed a law to create a pathway for mobile home park residents to join together to purchase the land under their communities. Democrats have also passed laws to improve water quality in mobile home parks, strengthen tenant protections, improve language accessibility for important park notices and meetings and clarify the conditions of a sale of mobile homes and parks. The legislature also passed a bill this session, sponsored by Cutter and Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, to strengthen water quality protections for Coloradans in mobile home parks.

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

Senate Approves Bill to Increase Data Privacy, Protect Vulnerable Workers

HB26-1283 would prohibit employers from confiscating and sharing an employee’s ID with federal law enforcement agencies

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Senators Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Adrienne Benavidez, D-Commerce City, to increase data privacy and protect vulnerable workers’ critical identification documents from being confiscated and shared with federal law enforcement agencies. 

“Government-issued ID documents are absolutely essential for accessing everything Coloradans need to thrive, from food assistance to housing to employment,” Marchman said. “This legislation would ensure our state statute prioritizes Coloradans’ data privacy and protects individuals from having their documents unlawfully withheld or shared with federal agencies.” 

“Working Coloradans, including those in our immigrant communities, should be able to do their jobs without fear of having their livelihood unfairly compromised by their employers,” Benavidez said. “This bill would give those workers peace of mind knowing their critical identification documents are protected.”

HB26-1283 would prevent employers from seizing, demanding, confiscating, retaining or otherwise requiring an employee to surrender their government-issued identification card (ID) for more than a short period of time (up to ten hours), except for lawful purposes like employment verification or when otherwise required by federal law. To enforce these provisions, the bill creates criminal penalties for unlawful confiscation and allows workers to pursue civil action and have their IDs returned if their documents were unlawfully seized. Under the bill, employers must advise their employees of these protections. 

This bill also strengthens protections for employees if their employer unlawfully turns over their ID to federal immigration enforcement authorities or threatens to do so. If an employer holds an employee’s ID or personal document with the intent of harassing or intimidating the employee, they could be charged with a bias-motivated crime. HB26-1238 helps protect immigrant communities, especially workers employed in the service industry, hospitality, agriculture and construction industries. 

In recent years, Colorado Democrats have passed legislation to strengthen existing protections guaranteed to all Coloradans, including SB25-276, which prohibits public employees from sharing personally-identifying information related to immigration status with federal immigration enforcement, and SB25-008, which streamlines access to necessary legal IDs.

HB26-1283 now moves back to the House for consideration of amendments. Track its progress here. 

Bill to Expand Local Government Access to Affordable Housing Clears Senate

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

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

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

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

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

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

HB26-1313 now moves back to the House for consideration of amendments. Track its progress here. 

Committee Approves Bill to Save Students Money

HB26-1078 would expand concurrent enrollment classes for high school students

DENVER, CO – The Senate Education Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, to expand access to low- and no-cost college-level courses for high school students.

“Concurrent enrollment classes accelerate student learning and prepare them for future careers, whether it be public service, private sector jobs, or technical training,” Marchman said. “I’m proud to sponsor this legislation that would expand these effective and low-cost programs and create more opportunities for Colorado students to excel.”

HB26-1078, cosponsored by Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, would extend concurrent enrollment in Colorado to include off-campus courses offered by higher education institutions. Concurrent enrollment allows high school students to take college-level courses, saving them money and time while accelerating their degree completion. Students can typically earn high school and college credits simultaneously for certain courses.

Under current law, most off-campus courses are excluded from concurrent enrollment programs. This often means only those provided in high school classrooms or on a college campus meet the concurrent enrollment course requirements. This bill would modify the narrow requirement by allowing higher education institutions to offer off-campus courses that qualify as concurrent enrollment courses provided the courses meet state and federal requirements and accreditation guidelines. 

This bill also applies to post-secondary technical and career education courses offered through area technical colleges, which are non-traditional, hands-on courses such as workshops, certificate classes, and skilled trades. 

HB26-1078 now moves to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track its progress here. 

Committee Advances Bill to Fight Back Against Federal Coal Mandates

DENVER, CO –The Senate Transportation and Energy Committee today passed 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.

HB26-1226, sponsored by Senate Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Senator Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, would help to mitigate the impacts of federal interference in Colorado’s energy future, ensure energy reliability, and implement modern standards for coal plant pollution. 

“Colorado is a leader in climate policy, and we should be able to continue planning our own energy future,” said Cutter. “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 legislation will mitigate harm caused by misguided federal mandates, while protecting ratepayers and maintaining clean air standards.”

“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 Weissman. “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.”

If coal-fired plants are permitted to operate past 2034, this bill would:

• 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 bill would 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 bill would require the Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) to issue a rule to set limits on the emission of NOx and SO2 from coal-fired power plants, unless those plants have retired or converted to burn a fuel other than coal. HB26-1226 would also require operators to submit quarterly emissions reports showing compliance and the associated costs beginning in 2034. 

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. This unprecedented order was challenged by the Colorado Attorney General and environmental groups.

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.” Last month, 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.

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

Bill to Make Property Insurance More Affordable Clears Senate

SB26-155 would create a grant program to harden roofs and mitigate the impact of natural disasters

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

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

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

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

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

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

Beginning in 2027, the insurer fee imposed and collected by the Enterprise would be an amount equal to 0.5 percent of the total premium collected by an insurer on multiperil homeowners insurance policies in the preceding calendar year. The insurer may not surcharge the fee amount to policyholders. Under the bill, an insurer offering multiperil homeowners insurance in the state will be required to submit certain information in an annual filing to the Division of Insurance, including the number of policies in force, number of homes that have installed resilient roofing and the discount applied to their insurance policies, and the wind and hail claims frequency and severity for homes with and without a resilient roof system. 

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

SB26-155 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track its progress here.

Senate Approves 2026 School Finance Act

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

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

Also sponsored by Senator Barb Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, SB26-023 sets statewide per pupil funding at $12,316 for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, an increase of $440 as compared to FY 2025-2026 funding levels, bringing total K-12 funding for the upcoming fiscal year to $10.2 billion and increasing total program funding by $194.8 million. The General Fund contribution to K-12 education is increasing significantly thanks to the Kids Matter Fund created by Democrats last year, which is forecast to invest more than $216 million in Colorado’s schools next year. 

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

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

SB26-023 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track its progress here.

Senate Approves Bill to Improve Traffic Safety Around Schools

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

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

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

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

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

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

HB26-1318 now moves back to the House for consideration of amendments. Track its progress here.

Senate Approves Bill to Spur Geothermal Energy Projects

SB26-142 would allow municipalities to develop and expand renewable energy projects

DENVER, CO – The Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Matt Ball, D-Denver, and Senate President Pro Tempore Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins to 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,” Ball said. “This bill is an innovative and exciting step towards allowing local governments to develop more energy for themselves, making energy cleaner and cheaper for all.”

“Local governments know their needs best, and they should be able to utilize the energy that local industries produce as a byproduct,” Kipp said. “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 would expand 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 bill, local governments could 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.

Additionally, the bill would require 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 legislation would remove some of the red tape that has restricted development of geothermal energy in order to help the state reach its clean energy goals. 

SB26-142 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track its progress here. 

Bill to Expand Preventive Healthcare Coverage and Save Lives Passes Senate

DENVER, CO –The Senate today passed bipartisan legislation to expand preventive healthcare 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 healthcare by insurance carriers.

“Improving access to early kidney function screenings saves lives and can lower the cost of healthcare 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 healthcare 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.

CKD 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 CKD 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 back to the House for consideration of amendments. Track its progress HERE.