Colorado 2025 Bills

Children Are Not for Sale Act

The "Children Are Not for Sale Act" makes it a very serious crime to trade items of value in exchange for sexual activity with a minor who is being trafficked. This bill increases the punishment for such actions from a severe felony to an even more severe felony, requiring life imprisonment without parole for those convicted. It affects anyone involved in trafficking minors for sexual exploitation. Since the bill has been signed into law, it is now enforceable by Colorado's legal system.

Last action: 2026-02-02 · House

Offer Pregnant Person Do Not Abort Form

House Bill 26-1085, which has been signed into law, requires health-care providers in Colorado to offer pregnant individuals the option to fill out a "Do Not Abort" form. This form allows a pregnant person to state their preference not to receive an abortion if they become incapacitated or unable to communicate their wishes. If someone chooses to complete this form, it will be added to their medical record. The law affects anyone who is pregnant and seeks care from a health-care provider in Colorado. Since the bill has been signed, it is now active and enforceable in the state.

Last action: 2026-02-02 · House

Nonemergency Medical Transportation Services

Senate Bill 26-63, also known as the Nonemergency Medical Transportation Services bill, requires transportation companies that work with Medicaid to partner with at least five different providers who meet specific criteria. This ensures that Medicaid members can preapprove their nonemergency medical transportation and choose a preferred provider for their services. The bill has been signed into law, meaning it is now official policy in Colorado and will affect Medicaid recipients needing nonemergency medical transport.

Last action: 2026-01-28 · Senate

Epilepsy-Related Mortality Awareness

Senate Bill 26-77, also known as the Epilepsy-Related Mortality Awareness Act, requires medical professionals who certify deaths in Colorado to stay updated on the latest recommendations for documenting epilepsy-related deaths. Starting July 1, 2027, these professionals must include epilepsy as a contributing or suspected cause of death if it fits the criteria for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). The state’s Department of Public Health and Environment will notify all relevant medical certifiers about this requirement before June 1, 2027. This bill is now signed into law, meaning that these changes will be implemented as scheduled to improve awareness and documentation of epilepsy-related deaths.

Last action: 2026-01-28 · Senate

Consumer Protections Medical Care Entities

Senate Bill 26-41 in Colorado updates rules for health care mergers and acquisitions. It allows the state attorney general to charge a fee of up to $5,000 when reviewing these transactions and requires hospitals involved in such deals to disclose information about their charitable missions and services. The bill also mandates that healthcare providers inform patients if they have financial ties with entities to which they refer patients for care. This bill is now signed into law, meaning its provisions are enforceable and will affect health-care entities and consumers in Colorado.

Last action: 2026-01-27 · Senate

Third-Party Network Agreements for Dental Services

HB 26-1070 is a Colorado law that stops insurance companies from making deals with third parties for access to dental services without the dentist's permission. It also prevents insurance companies from penalizing dentists who don't want their services shared with these third parties. The law requires insurance companies to follow certain rules if they do make such agreements and allows some exceptions, like when dealing with state-sponsored medical assistance programs or similar brand licensee programs. Since it has been signed into law, this means the bill is now an official part of Colorado's legal framework and must be followed by relevant parties.

Last action: 2026-01-27 · House

Availability of Emergency Medical Services

HB 26-1069, which has been signed into law, expands the definition of emergency medical services in Colorado. It now includes transportation to places other than hospitals and crisis stabilization units when clinically appropriate, as well as telemedicine options for emergencies. The bill also clarifies that first responders include mental health professionals and requires certain entities to be reimbursed by the state for providing these services starting January 1, 2027. This means more flexible and potentially less costly emergency care options will be available to patients who need them.

Last action: 2026-01-27 · House

Promoting Immunization Access

Senate Bill 26-32, known as the "Promoting Immunization Access" bill, updates Colorado's laws to improve access to vaccines. It changes insurance coverage rules for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to include both men and women, allows pharmacists to prescribe vaccines independently, and protects healthcare providers from liability when following recommended vaccination schedules. The bill also ensures that state funding can be used for infant immunization programs even without federal support. Signed into law, this means the changes are now in effect and aim to make vaccinations more accessible and affordable for all Coloradans.

Last action: 2026-01-26 · Senate

Measures to Improve Black Maternal Health Equity

HB 26-1044 is a Colorado bill aimed at improving maternal health equity for Black mothers. It requires healthcare providers who work in obstetrics to complete training on cultural competence and equity, mandates hospitals to provide information about respectful maternity care to birthing parents, and establishes stricter reporting requirements for incidents of severe maternal morbidity or death due to discrimination or negligent treatment. The bill also allows the state to impose penalties on facilities and practitioners found guilty of discriminatory practices that lead to preventable health issues or deaths during childbirth. Signed into law, this means the measures are now in effect and will help monitor and improve healthcare for new mothers, particularly addressing disparities faced by Black women.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · House

Sterilization Rights of Person with Disabilities

House Bill 26-1040, also known as the Sterilization Rights of People with Disabilities Act, ensures that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have the right to give informed consent before undergoing sterilization procedures. If a person lacks decision-making capacity, their legal guardian must follow specific processes outlined in existing laws to obtain consent on their behalf. The bill also removes previous regulations related to court petitions for sterilization and confidentiality requirements. Since it has been signed into law, this act now protects the rights of people with disabilities by preventing unauthorized sterilizations without proper consent or legal authorization.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · House

Long-term Care Services for Nursing Home Residents

HB 26-1018, also known as Long-term Care Services for Nursing Home Residents, is a Colorado law that ensures people leaving nursing homes are automatically considered eligible for Medicaid long-term care services. This means the state and local human or social service departments must arrange these services before someone leaves the nursing home to ensure they have proper support after discharge. The bill also includes penalties for county departments if they fail to set up these services, and for nursing facilities that delay discharges unnecessarily. Since it has been signed into law, this measure is now in effect and aims to provide better care transitions for nursing home residents.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · House

Provider Participation in Health Insurance

House Bill 26-1002 in Colorado is designed to ensure that mental health and substance use disorder providers, including psychiatric nurses, remain active in insurance networks. If a provider hasn’t submitted claims for over a year, their insurance carrier must check if they are still accepting patients. The bill also allows prelicensed providers to be part of these networks under supervision and requires clinical social workers to complete 3,000 hours of practice before becoming licensed. Since the bill has been signed into law, it is now enforceable and will affect both healthcare providers and insurance companies in Colorado.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · House

Treating People with Behavioral Health Disorder

HB 26-1063 is a Colorado bill aimed at improving how people with behavioral health disorders are treated within the criminal and juvenile justice systems. It expands Medicaid reimbursement for medication-assisted treatment in jails to include more providers and allows law enforcement contractors to provide secure transportation services. The bill also transfers licensing authority for these transport providers from counties to the state's Department of Public Health and Environment starting in 2027, and it updates requirements for emergency mental health holds and certifications to ensure better care and rights protection for individuals. The bill has been signed into law, meaning its provisions will now go into effect as planned. This means that more providers can offer critical services like medication-assisted treatment in jails, and there are clearer guidelines on how to handle people experiencing mental health crises, ensuring they receive appropriate care rather than facing unnecessary legal consequences.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · House

Prescription Drug Benefit Information Transparency

HB 26-1056, known as the "Prescription Drug Optimized Sourcing Transparency and Integrity Act," requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and health-care consultants to provide accurate information about prescription drug costs to self-insured employers. This means that if an employer asks for it in writing, PBMs must share specific cost details related to each prescription drug covered under their plan. The bill also supports the use of pharmacy stewardship programs as a way to control costs, ensuring these programs comply with federal law and this new state act. Since the bill has been signed into law, self-insured employers now have more transparency and protection when it comes to managing prescription drug benefits for their employees.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · House

Medical Marijuana Use in Health Facilities

Senate Bill 26-7 allows hospitals and health facilities in Colorado to permit terminally ill patients who are registered in the state’s medical marijuana program to use their medication within these facilities. The bill requires that any facility allowing this practice must document the patient's registration and usage, create safety guidelines for handling medical marijuana, and ensure compliance with other laws. Importantly, the bill also protects health facilities from losing licenses or federal funding if they choose not to handle medical marijuana. Since it has been signed into law, these provisions are now in effect, giving terminally ill patients more options for their care within health facilities.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · Senate

Expanding the Colorado Cottage Foods Act

HB 26-1033 expands Colorado's Cottage Foods Act by allowing home cooks to sell refrigerated foods and those containing meat products. Producers must take a food safety course and register with the state health department before selling their products. The bill also increases the annual revenue limit for cottage food producers from $10,000 to $150,000, adjusted annually for inflation. Health agencies can conduct random inspections and impose fines if necessary. This bill has been signed into law, meaning home cooks in Colorado now have more opportunities to sell their homemade foods under stricter but supportive regulations.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · House

Parity for Non-Opioid Pain Management Drugs

Senate Bill 26-6, which has been signed into law, aims to ensure that health insurance plans cover non-opioid pain management drugs on par with opioid medications. This means that insurance companies must not impose stricter requirements for prior authorization or higher costs for non-opioid treatments compared to opioids when managing chronic or acute pain. The bill affects individuals who rely on health insurance for pain medication and ensures they have access to affordable, non-opioid options as alternatives to opioids. Since the bill has been signed, it is now law and will impact how insurance companies handle coverage for these medications.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · Senate