Colorado 2025 Bills

Pet Animal Facility Requirements Before Euthanasia

House Bill 24-1114 in Colorado requires animal shelters and pet rescue organizations to inform other similar facilities before euthanizing an adoptable pet. This allows another shelter or rescue the chance to take in the pet if they want it. The bill doesn't apply to pets that are suffering beyond help, dangerous dogs ordered by a court to be put down, or dogs with repeated biting histories. Since the bill has been signed into law, animal shelters and rescues must now follow these new notification requirements when considering euthanasia for adoptable pets.

Last action: 2024-01-26 · House

Designate January 29 4-H Day

Last action: 2024-01-26 · House

Authority of Attorney General to Operate District Attorney's Office

House Bill 24-1118 allows the Colorado Attorney General to take over and manage a district attorney's office if needed, such as when directed by the governor. This includes hiring staff, spending money, and handling other administrative tasks necessary for running the office. The bill ensures that any hires made by the Attorney General are recommended by a committee including representatives from the district attorney’s council and the highest-ranking official at the district attorney's office. The bill was signed into law on April 17, 2024, and is now effective immediately.

Last action: 2024-01-26 · House

Defendant Filing Fees in Evictions

House Bill 24-1099, which has been approved by the Governor and will take effect on November 1, 2024, removes filing fees for defendants in eviction cases. This means that people facing eviction won't have to pay any fees when they file their responses or other documents with the court. The bill also requires courts to serve these documents to landlords without charging a fee if the defendant files them physically instead of electronically. Additionally, it allocates funding to help cover the costs for the judicial department related to this change.

Last action: 2024-01-25 · House

Require Information about Abortion Pill Reversal

House Bill 24-1106, also known as the "Abortion Pill Reversal Information Act," requires doctors and medical professionals to give women seeking an abortion using medication detailed information about a process called abortion pill reversal. This must happen at least 24 hours before the procedure begins. The bill mandates that this information includes contact details for resources related to reversing the effects of the abortion-inducing drugs. Signed into law, it now requires compliance from medical professionals and imposes penalties for non-compliance.

Last action: 2024-01-25 · House

Prohibiting Term Excited Delirium

House Bill 24-1103 in Colorado bans the use of the term "excited delirium" by law enforcement, emergency medical service providers, and other first responders. This includes not using it in training sessions or incident reports, and coroners cannot list it as a cause of death on death certificates. The bill aims to eliminate the controversial term starting August 7, 2024, after being signed into law by the governor. It affects professionals involved in public safety and health care who might encounter individuals experiencing extreme agitation or distress.

Last action: 2024-01-25 · House

Coroner Qualifications

HB 24-1100 is a Colorado law that requires coroners in counties with more than 150,000 residents who are elected after November 5, 2024, to have specific professional certifications. These coroners must either be certified death investigators or forensic pathologists by recognized national boards. The bill was signed into law and will take effect on August 7, 2024, meaning that future elections for these positions will need to adhere to the new qualifications.

Last action: 2024-01-25 · House

Independent Agency Appointment Requirements

House Bill 24-1102 changes the requirements for people appointed to lead certain legal offices in Colorado. Previously, these directors had to be licensed lawyers with at least five years of experience. Now, they can either already have a law license or get one within six months after being appointed. This bill affects those who are appointed as directors of the Office of the Child's Representative and the Alternate Defense Counsel. The governor signed it into law on April 11, 2024, and it will take effect on August 7, 2024.

Last action: 2024-01-25 · House

Judicial Review of Local Land Use Decision

House Bill 24-1107, which has been signed into law and is now effective, changes how courts handle disputes over local land use decisions for residential developments with at least 5 homes per acre. If a government entity wins such a case in court, they can receive reasonable legal fees as compensation. The bill also ensures that any ongoing development projects can proceed based on the original decision while the lawsuit is being resolved, without affecting the validity of the local land use decision. This law primarily affects developers and local governments involved in residential zoning disputes.

Last action: 2024-01-25 · House

Prohibiting Firefighter Personal Information on Internet

House Bill 24-1104, which has been signed into law and will take effect on August 7, 2024, protects firefighters by prohibiting public entities from publishing their personal information online upon request. This means that if a firefighter asks for it, their private details won’t be shared publicly anymore. The bill affects all firefighters in Colorado and aims to enhance their privacy and safety.

Last action: 2024-01-25 · House

Empower Victims through Access Restorative Justice

HB 24-1101, titled "Empower Victims through Access Restorative Justice," aims to give victims and survivors more control over the justice process in Colorado. The bill ensures that they are informed about their right to participate in restorative justice practices, which can be an alternative or addition to traditional prosecution. It also mandates specialized training for facilitators dealing with cases of domestic violence and sexual offenses, while keeping all restorative justice processes confidential. Signed into law, this means victims now have clearer rights and access to these supportive measures within the criminal and juvenile justice systems.

Last action: 2024-01-25 · House

Creating the Chicano Special License Plate

HB 24-1105 is a Colorado bill that creates a special license plate for Chicanos. To get the plate, applicants must donate $25 to a nonprofit organization chosen by the Department of Revenue, which supports services for the Latin American community. Another $25 fee goes towards highway maintenance and licensing services. The bill was signed into law and will take effect on August 7, 2024, meaning that after this date, Colorado residents can apply for these special license plates.

Last action: 2024-01-25 · House

Sales & Use Tax Rebate for Digital Asset Purchases

Senate Bill 24-085 provides tax rebates for businesses that build or operate data centers in Colorado. These companies can get back the state sales and use taxes they paid on construction materials and equipment if their data center meets certain job creation, revenue generation, and power requirements set by the state. The bill is now signed into law, meaning eligible businesses can start applying for these rebates starting from July 1, 2026. This will benefit companies planning to invest in large-scale data centers in Colorado over the next several years.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · Senate

Air Quality Ozone Levels

Senate Bill 24-095, which has been signed into law in Colorado, aims to improve air quality by addressing high-emission vehicles and promoting the use of electric equipment. The bill offers $850 vouchers to owners of non-compliant vehicles in areas with poor ozone levels if they have tried but failed to repair their cars. It also introduces a garden rebate program that provides up to $150 rebates for purchasing small electric outdoor power equipment, like lawn mowers and leaf blowers, to reduce emissions. Additionally, the bill expands an existing fleet incentive program to include light-duty trucks and allows local governments to receive grants of up to 80% of the cost for acquiring low-emission vehicles. These measures are designed to help Colorado meet federal air quality standards by reducing harmful emissions from vehicles and equipment.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · Senate

Cost Effective Energy Codes

Senate Bill 24-092, also known as the Cost Effective Energy Codes bill, requires that any new energy codes adopted by counties or cities in Colorado starting January 1, 2026, must be economically beneficial for homebuyers. This means that the savings from more efficient energy use must outweigh the additional costs over a decade, without increasing fuel prices beyond inflation and ensuring affordability for first-time buyers. The bill has been signed into law, meaning it will go into effect as scheduled in 2026 and will impact local governments when they update their building codes.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · Senate

Safe Housing for Residential Tenants

Senate Bill 24-094, known as the Safe Housing for Residential Tenants Act, aims to protect tenants by setting clear rules for landlords when addressing housing issues that affect safety and habitability. It requires landlords to fix problems within specific time frames and provides tenants with temporary accommodations if their home becomes uninhabitable. The bill also prevents landlords from retaliating against tenants who report unsafe conditions and ensures that courts can handle disputes fairly. This law is now signed by the governor and took effect on May 3, 2024, meaning it is enforceable immediately.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · Senate

Health Facility Topical Medication Continued Care

Senate Bill 24-087, now signed into law by the governor and effective as of April 22, 2024, allows healthcare providers, health facilities, and hospital pharmacies to give patients certain medications needed for continued treatment after their visit. This applies only if the medication doesn’t contain controlled substances and was administered during the patient’s visit. The provider must also label the medication and provide instructions on how to use it properly. This law affects anyone who receives such medications from healthcare facilities in Colorado.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · Senate

Military Family Occupational Credentialing

HB 24-1097, also known as the Military Family Occupational Credentialing bill, aims to help military families by making it easier for spouses and dependents of military members to get professional licenses in Colorado. This includes waiving fees and extending credential validity periods. The law will take effect on September 1, 2024, after being signed by the governor. It benefits military personnel and their families who move to Colorado and need to continue practicing their professions without facing additional barriers or costs.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · House

Developer Subdivision Reservation Deposits

House Bill 24-1094 in Colorado requires developers to register with the real estate commission before selling parts of a subdivision. It mandates that any money received from potential buyers while waiting for approval must be kept safe by an independent third party and fully refundable if needed. For time share estates, after approval, earnest money must also be held in trust unless it comes from accredited investors, who have more flexibility with their deposits as long as the developer discloses how the funds will be used. The bill was signed into law on May 28, 2024 and will take effect on August 7, 2024.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · House

Entity Authorizes Charter Schools Transparency

Senate Bill 24-088 requires the Colorado Department of Education to provide more detailed reports comparing charter schools with traditional public schools within the same district. Starting in the 2024-25 budget year, these reports will also include information about districts that do not have any charter schools and must be made available on the department’s website in simple language for easy understanding. The bill has been signed into law, meaning it is now official policy and the Department of Education must start preparing these detailed comparisons as required.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · Senate

Rights-of-Way Permits for Broadband Deployment

Senate Bill 24-091, which has been signed into law in Colorado, introduces a new permit system for companies wanting to install broadband infrastructure along public roads and other rights-of-way. This means that instead of entering into complex agreements with the Department of Transportation, these companies can now apply for permits and pay a one-time fee based on the actual costs incurred by the department. The bill ensures fair and non-discriminatory access to all broadband providers and sets clear guidelines for permit issuance and fees. It also prevents the department from requiring additional infrastructure or services from permit holders beyond what is necessary for accessing rights-of-way, promoting competition in broadband deployment.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · Senate

Safety Clause Use Review

Senate Bill 24-098 establishes committees in both the House and Senate to review how often a "safety clause" is used on bills. A safety clause typically exempts a bill from public referendum. The committees will check if this exemption is justified for each bill with a safety clause, and can remove it if they think it's not appropriate. Since the bill has been signed, these new review processes are now in place during legislative sessions.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · Senate

Public Employees' Retirement Association Employment after Retirement for Rural Schools

Senate Bill 24-099, which has been approved by the Governor and will take effect on August 7, 2024, allows rural school districts to hire retired PERA employees—such as teachers, bus drivers, cooks, nurses, paraprofessionals, superintendents, and principals—without reducing their retirement benefits. This applies even if these retirees work for the entire calendar year. The bill also requires PERA to report annually starting December 1, 2025, on how this policy impacts employment shortages and costs associated with it. This change primarily affects rural school districts and retired educators in Colorado.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · Senate

Continuity of Health-Care Coverage Change

Senate Bill 24-093, which has been approved by the governor and will take effect on January 1, 2025, ensures that people covered by Medicaid or private health insurance can continue seeing their current doctors and hospitals even if their coverage changes. This means they won’t have to switch providers right away when their plan ends or is renewed, giving them more stability in their healthcare during transitions. The bill benefits those who rely on consistent medical care from familiar providers and helps prevent disruptions in treatment due to insurance changes.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · Senate

Breast Cancer Screening Fund Transfer

Senate Bill 24-086 transfers $500,000 from a fund that supports prevention and treatment of breast and cervical cancer to a new fund specifically for breast cancer screening. It also removes the requirement that any interest earned on the original fund be transferred to another fund supporting people with disabilities. The bill was signed into law by the governor on June 5, 2024, and took effect immediately on the same day. This means more money will now go directly towards breast cancer screening efforts starting from the 2024-25 fiscal year.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · Senate

Firefighter Heart Benefits Trust

Senate Bill 24-089, also known as the Firefighter Heart Benefits Trust Act, requires most firefighter employers in Colorado to provide heart and circulatory malfunction benefits through a specific health trust rather than other options like accident insurance or self-insurance. This change affects all firefighter employers except for larger cities and counties with populations of 400,000 or more that have enacted their own ordinances by April 30, 2024, to provide these benefits. The bill was signed into law on May 24, 2024, and took effect immediately on the same day.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · Senate

Commercial Vehicle Highway Safety Measures

Senate Bill 24-100, titled "Commercial Vehicle Highway Safety Measures," aims to enhance safety for commercial vehicles on specific highways in Colorado's western slope. The bill requires commercial trucks over a certain weight limit to use traction devices like chains during winter months on designated stretches of I-70 and other major roads. It also establishes stricter speed limits and penalties, including higher fines, for speeding commercial vehicles in Glenwood Canyon and other critical areas. Additionally, the bill directs the state department to study ways to improve safety measures such as adding more chain-up stations along I-70. The governor signed this bill into law on May 20, 2024, and it will take effect on August 7, 2024.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · Senate

Limit Fenced Perimeter Security Alarm System Regulations

Senate Bill 24-096, which has been signed into law, defines what a fenced perimeter security alarm system is and restricts local governments from imposing strict regulations on these systems. This means that cities or counties in Colorado can't set their own rules about how such alarm systems are used, making it easier for property owners to install and use them without worrying about varying local requirements. The bill affects anyone who owns or plans to install a fenced perimeter security alarm system in Colorado. Since the status is "signed," the law is now in effect.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · Senate

School Psychologist Licensure Interstate Compact

HB 24-1096, also known as the School Psychologists Licensure Interstate Compact, allows school psychologists who are licensed in one state to easily obtain equivalent licenses in other participating states. This makes it easier for them to provide psychological services across different states, especially benefiting students and schools in Colorado. The bill was signed into law on April 29, 2024, and took effect immediately, meaning that school psychologists can now more readily practice in multiple states if needed.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · House

Cause Required for Eviction of Residential Tenant

House Bill 24-1098 in Colorado makes it illegal for landlords to evict residential tenants without a valid reason. Valid reasons include the tenant causing significant damage or disturbance, engaging in unlawful behavior, or refusing to sign a new lease with reasonable terms. The bill also allows landlords to evict tenants if they plan to demolish or renovate the property, move in themselves, take the property off the rental market for sale, or if there's a history of rent nonpayment. This law provides more protection for tenants by requiring landlords to have specific justifications before eviction and extends notice requirements for entering mobile homes from 48 to 72 hours. The bill was signed into law on April 19, 2024, and is now in effect.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · House

Increasing Protections for Minor Workers

HB 24-1095, which has been approved by the governor and will take effect on January 1, 2025, increases penalties for employers who violate Colorado’s youth employment laws. It also requires that fines collected from these violations be used to fund efforts against wage theft and mandates employers to pay damages to affected minors. The bill removes penalties for parents or guardians if their minor children are employed illegally. Additionally, it ensures that any orders issued due to these violations will become public records, enhancing transparency and accountability in the enforcement of youth employment protections.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · House

Attorney General Duties to Prevent Mis- & Dis-information

Senate Bill 24-084, which has been approved and is now in effect, requires the Colorado Attorney General to take steps to prevent misinformation. This includes creating programs that promote respectful conversations about important issues, developing resources for productive discussions, and working with schools to provide these materials. The bill aims to help people across the state engage more constructively on both local and national topics.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · Senate

Possess Identification While Driving

Senate Bill 24-090, which has been signed into law, allows drivers in Colorado to use a digital version of their driver's license or identification card on their phone or another device as an acceptable form of ID when stopped by the police. This means that if you forget your physical license at home but have the digital version on your smartphone, you can show it instead. The bill also makes it mandatory for drivers to provide this digital ID to law enforcement upon request and penalizes refusal to do so with a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense. The new rule will take effect starting March 31, 2025.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · Senate

Property Tax Distraint Sale Mobile Home

Senate Bill 24-097 changes how Colorado handles mobile home sales when property taxes are unpaid. Instead of selling the mobile home and sending any leftover money from the sale to the county, this bill requires a public auction where the original owner or anyone else with legal rights can buy it back for at least its fair market value minus the tax debt. If there's extra money after covering the taxes, it goes back to the original owner or another person who has a right to it. The bill also gives mobile home owners an additional year (for a total of two years) to pay off their property taxes and keep their homes. Since the bill is signed, these changes are now law in Colorado.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · Senate

Relinquishment of Child in Newborn Safety Device

Senate Bill 24-083, which has been signed into law, allows fire stations, hospitals, and community clinic emergency centers to install special boxes called newborn safety devices. These devices are placed in visible spots for parents who want to anonymously give up their baby, provided the child is less than three days old. The facilities must maintain these devices and ensure they work properly, including having a dual alarm system that alerts staff when a baby is left inside. This law aims to provide a safe option for new parents who cannot keep their newborns but do not want to give them up through traditional means.

Last action: 2024-01-24 · Senate

Resolution Repairability Scores for Devices

Last action: 2024-01-24 · House

Voting for Confined Eligible Electors

Senate Bill 24-072, also known as the "Voting for Confined Eligible Electors" law, aims to make it easier for eligible voters who are in jail or detention centers to vote. The bill requires county sheriffs to designate someone to help these individuals understand their voting rights and provides them with necessary resources like voter registration forms and ballots. It also mandates that counties offer at least one day of in-person voting within a week before election day at the jails, ensuring that all eligible voters have access to cast their votes. This bill affects anyone who is incarcerated but still has the right to vote under Colorado law. Now that it has been signed into law and is effective as of May 31, 2024, counties must start implementing these changes immediately to ensure that confined eligible electors can participate in upcoming elections.

Last action: 2024-01-22 · Senate

Streamline Marijuana Regulation

Senate Bill 24-076, titled "Streamline Marijuana Regulation," makes several changes to Colorado's marijuana laws. It updates the definition of an immature plant and removes identification card requirements for beneficial owners in medical and retail marijuana businesses. The bill also extends license periods from one year to two years, allows multiple business licenses with the same owner to submit a single application, and restricts food sales by licensed stores to no more than 20% of their annual revenue. Additionally, it clarifies rules around contaminated marijuana products and requires medical marijuana stores to attach educational materials to concentrate purchases. The bill was signed into law on June 5, 2024, and will take effect on August 7, 2024, impacting both existing and future marijuana businesses in Colorado.

Last action: 2024-01-22 · Senate

Patient's Right to Provider Identification

Senate Bill 24-082, known as "Patient's Right to Provider Identification," requires health-care providers in Colorado to wear photo ID badges and provide written information about their identity, qualifications, and professional credentials when providing services that require informed consent. This applies to both the provider giving care and any other provider obtaining consent from the patient. The bill aims to ensure transparency and trust between patients and healthcare professionals by making it clear who is treating them. It was signed into law and will take effect starting January 1, 2025.

Last action: 2024-01-22 · Senate

Clarify Individualized Education Program Information

Senate Bill 24-069, which has been approved and will take effect on August 7, 2024, requires the Colorado Department of Education to create a training program that explains Individualized Education Program (IEP) laws and procedures in simple language. This program will cover topics like parent and student rights and will be available both online and through in-person sessions. The bill also allocates $75,288 from the state's general fund for its implementation during the 2024-2025 fiscal year. This means that by July 1, 2026, parents and students will have access to clearer information about IEPs, helping them better understand their rights and options.

Last action: 2024-01-22 · Senate

Jurisdiction over United States Military Property

Senate Bill 24-074 allows Colorado and the federal government to share authority over certain military installation properties in the state. This means both entities can make laws or regulations that affect these areas, as long as they meet specific conditions outlined in the bill. The bill was signed into law by the governor on April 4, 2024, and became effective immediately on the same day. This affects military bases and their surrounding properties within Colorado.

Last action: 2024-01-22 · Senate

Fire-Hardened Building Materials in Real Property

House Bill 24-1091, which has been signed into law and is now effective, stops homeowners' associations and other groups from preventing the use of fire-resistant building materials in homes and common interest communities like condominiums or townhomes. However, it allows these associations to set reasonable rules about how such materials look when used for fences. This bill affects anyone living in a community with homeowner association rules that previously restricted the installation of fire-hardened materials.

Last action: 2024-01-22 · House

Transportation Network Company Transparency

Senate Bill 24-075, also known as the Transportation Network Company Transparency Act, requires ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft to be more transparent with their drivers about how payments are handled. The bill mandates that these companies provide clear policies on when they can deactivate or suspend a driver's account and ensure that any disputes related to such actions are resolved fairly within the state. Additionally, starting in 2025, the bill establishes an independent organization funded by ride-sharing companies to support drivers through deactivation processes and handle their appeals. The law aims to protect drivers' rights and improve transparency in how these companies operate. It was signed into law on June 5, 2024, and took effect on August 7, 2024.

Last action: 2024-01-22 · Senate

Transparency in Health-Care Coverage

Senate Bill 24-080, now approved and effective as of June 5, 2024, requires health insurance companies in Colorado to provide easier access to price information for healthcare services. This means that when you have questions about the costs related to your medical care or prescription drugs, you can use an online tool to get real-time answers based on your specific coverage details. The bill also mandates that these companies share certain data with state regulators and make it public, helping consumers understand their health insurance better.

Last action: 2024-01-22 · Senate

Health-Related Research Test Subjects

Senate Bill 24-067, also known as the "Health-Related Research Test Subjects" bill, requires facilities that use animals for health research to report annually on their animal usage and to transfer dogs and cats to shelters or rescue organizations before euthanizing them. This impacts research institutions that conduct medical studies involving animals. The bill has been signed into law, meaning these requirements are now in effect and such facilities must comply with the new regulations.

Last action: 2024-01-22 · Senate

Minimum Sentence Crimes against Prostituted Children

House Bill 24-1092 in Colorado mandates that anyone convicted of crimes related to child prostitution must receive a minimum prison sentence. For most offenses, the sentence is at least 4 years, while for more severe cases involving threats or intimidation, it's at least 8 years. This bill affects individuals who commit serious crimes against children involved in prostitution. Since the bill has been signed into law, it means that these new sentencing requirements are now enforceable by courts in Colorado.

Last action: 2024-01-22 · House

Remote Testing & Online Education Programs

Senate Bill 24-070, which has been approved and is now in effect, requires the Colorado Department of Education to create policies for remote testing of students enrolled full-time in online schools. These policies will cover various aspects like qualifications for test administrators, monitoring procedures, and technical requirements to ensure secure and valid assessments. The bill also allocates $440,000 from the state education fund to implement these new policies starting in the 2024-25 school year. This affects students taking online classes and their educators who will need to follow the new guidelines for testing.

Last action: 2024-01-22 · Senate

Medical Aid-in-Dying

Senate Bill 24-068, also known as the Medical Aid-in-Dying bill in Colorado, updates existing laws to allow advanced practice registered nurses to evaluate and prescribe medication for medical aid-in-dying, similar to what doctors can do. It also reduces the waiting period between requests from 15 days to 7 days and allows healthcare providers to waive this wait if a patient is expected to die within 48 hours. The bill ensures that federal funding requirements won’t override these provisions and protects patients by prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage or pressuring individuals to use medical aid-in-dying. This bill was signed into law on June 5, 2024, and will take effect on August 7, 2024.

Last action: 2024-01-22 · Senate

Prescription Drug Manufacturer Requirements

Senate Bill 24-077, which has been signed into law, requires prescription drug manufacturers selling their products in Colorado to register with the state and pay a registration fee. The bill also mandates that these companies provide copayment assistance programs for people who are enrolled in health benefit plans, helping them cover costs until they meet their deductible or out-of-pocket maximums. Violating this requirement is considered an unfair business practice. This law affects both drug manufacturers and consumers by ensuring more affordable access to prescription drugs through financial support from the manufacturers themselves.

Last action: 2024-01-22 · Senate

Outdoor Nature-Based Preschool Programs

Senate Bill 24-078, titled "Outdoor Nature-Based Preschool Programs," includes nature-based preschools in Colorado's licensed child care system. This means these programs will now be regulated by the Department of Early Childhood and must meet specific safety and operational standards by December 31, 2025. The bill also provides funding for training staff and implementing new rules to ensure outdoor programs are safe and well-prepared for emergencies. It was signed into law on June 6, 2024, and took effect on August 7, 2024, meaning these nature-based preschools will soon be required to follow the new regulations.

Last action: 2024-01-22 · Senate