Colorado 2025 Bills

Online Add-on Transaction Fee Youth Service Enterprise

House Bill 26-1418, which has been signed into law, requires social media platforms that generate significant revenue from online gaming services and have youth users to impose a fee on in-game purchases. The collected fees will be used to fund mental health programs for young people, including peer support and crisis intervention services. Additionally, the bill establishes an enterprise to award grants supporting out-of-school time programs focused on children's mental health and well-being. This law aims to improve youth mental health by leveraging revenue from online gaming platforms.

Last action: 2026-04-20 · House

Person's Rights Related to Their Children

House Concurrent Resolution 26-1004 proposes a constitutional amendment for Colorado voters to consider in the 2026 election. If approved, it would add a new right to the state constitution: parents' authority to guide their children's upbringing, education, and care. This affects all parents in Colorado by potentially reinforcing their role in making decisions about their children’s lives. The bill has been signed but is still in the early stages of the legislative process, meaning that it needs further approval before voters can decide on it in 2026.

Last action: 2026-04-13 · House

Funding for Prevention Services Programs Colorado Department of Early Childhood

HB 26-1349 is a Colorado bill that requires the state treasurer to transfer $5.1 million annually from the nurse home visitor program fund to the Colorado child abuse prevention trust fund starting in 2026 and continuing through 2029. This money will be used for child abuse prevention programs, which can also receive additional federal funding. The bill ensures that the trust fund and its board continue indefinitely beyond their originally scheduled repeal date of July 1, 2027. Additionally, it mandates a report to the general assembly by November 1, 2029, detailing the impact of these transfers and any extra federal funds received as a result. The bill has been signed into law, meaning these changes are now in effect.

Last action: 2026-04-02 · House

Kinship Care Funding Provisions

HB 26-1374, known as Kinship Care Funding Provisions, changes how Colorado supports families caring for relatives' children without formal foster care certification. The bill stops financial assistance and reimbursements to counties for non-certified kinship care homes but keeps some federal requirements in place. It also requires the state to notify current non-certified kinship care providers about ending these payments by June 15, 2026. This affects families who are currently receiving support for caring for relatives' children without formal certification. Since the bill has been signed, these changes will take effect as planned.

Last action: 2026-04-02 · House

Subsidy Limits in Assistance Programs for Children

House Bill 26-1373 sets limits on monthly subsidy payments for children who are part of either the adoption assistance program or the relative guardianship assistance program. These new rules will apply to contracts that start on July 1, 2026, or later. This bill affects families and relatives who care for children through these programs by setting a maximum amount they can receive in monthly subsidies. The bill has been signed into law, meaning these limits will be implemented as planned starting from the specified date.

Last action: 2026-04-02 · House

Federal Adoption Money Cash Fund Updates

House Bill 26-1376 updates how Colorado manages extra federal money received for child welfare services. It changes the name of a fund and allows the state to use this money more flexibly to support children who might need foster care or related services. This bill affects children in the foster care system and those at risk of entering it, as well as the agencies that provide these services. Since the bill has been signed into law, Colorado can now allocate funds according to the new guidelines to better serve vulnerable children.

Last action: 2026-04-02 · House

Federal Disability Benefits for Foster Care Youth

HB 26-1347, also known as "Federal Disability Benefits for Foster Care Youth," is a Colorado bill that extends existing requirements for county departments of human or social services to help foster care youth apply for federal supplemental security income (SSI) benefits if they have disabilities and limited resources. The bill requires these departments to identify and document any disabilities the children might have, manage SSI funds in special savings accounts, and track how this money is spent. This legislation will take effect starting July 1, 2028, and it aims to provide better support for foster care youth with disabilities by ensuring they receive necessary financial assistance. The bill has been signed into law, meaning that the provisions described above are now official state requirements that county departments must follow when dealing with foster care youth who may be eligible for SSI benefits.

Last action: 2026-04-01 · House

Family Stability & Kinship Care

HB 26-1314, known as the Family Stability and Kinship Care bill, aims to improve parenting time enforcement by allowing courts to impose penalties on parents who violate existing parenting time orders. It also encourages supervised family-time services for noncustodial parents who are up-to-date with child support payments. The bill updates definitions related to grandparents and great-grandparents in court-ordered family time situations, especially when a parent is deceased. Additionally, it prioritizes placing children removed from their homes with relatives or kin whenever possible, unless it's not in the best interest of the child. Signed into law, this bill will directly affect families involved in custody disputes and those seeking kinship care options.

Last action: 2026-03-02 · House

Abuse in Cases of Separation

House Bill 26-1309, titled "Abuse in Cases of Separation," changes how Colorado courts handle parental responsibilities during divorce or separation cases when there's a history of domestic violence. The bill requires judges to first determine if either parent has committed domestic violence before deciding on custody and visitation rights based on what's best for the child. If domestic violence is confirmed, it becomes less likely that the abusive parent will be granted significant parental responsibilities. Additionally, the bill mandates specific treatment requirements for accused abusers, including specialized therapy and a 52-week intervention program. This bill has been signed into law, meaning its provisions are now part of Colorado's legal framework and affect all families involved in separation or divorce proceedings where domestic violence is an issue.

Last action: 2026-03-02 · House

Background Checks for Child Welfare Placements

HB 26-1298, also known as Background Checks for Child Welfare Placements, updates Colorado’s laws to ensure that background checks for people who take care of children in the child welfare system meet federal standards set by the FBI. This change is necessary because the current method doesn’t comply with these federal requirements, and a grace period allowing Colorado to continue using its own methods will end in May 2026. The bill gives counties and the state’s human services department the authority they need to perform these background checks correctly. Since it has been signed into law, this means that the necessary changes are now official and must be implemented by the specified deadline.

Last action: 2026-02-25 · House

Social Media Duty to Report & Search Warrants

House Bill 26-1255, which has been signed into law, requires social media companies with users in Colorado to provide a direct and always-available way for police to contact them. This includes responding quickly (within 8 hours) to search warrants and providing regular updates on compliance. The bill also mandates that these platforms report any threatening or harmful content posted by users to local law enforcement within 24 hours. Violations of this reporting requirement can lead to legal action under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act. This new law applies to all social media platforms, not just those with a large user base in the state, and it aims to enhance online safety and law enforcement's ability to investigate crimes.

Last action: 2026-02-18 · House

Minors' Rights in Dependency & Neglect Proceedings

HB 26-1227, a Colorado bill that has been signed into law, ensures that minors involved in dependency and neglect cases have the right to fully participate in all hearings related to their case. This includes having their interests represented by a guardian ad litem or counsel for youth throughout the legal process, including appeals. The bill also gives children the right to challenge any attempt by social services to dismiss a case before an adjudicatory hearing if they believe there is evidence of neglect or abuse. If the court agrees that there isn't enough reason to dismiss the case, it must continue. This law aims to protect minors' rights and ensure their voices are heard in legal proceedings involving them.

Last action: 2026-02-18 · House

Correct Child Support Guidelines Statutory Cites

House Bill 26-1217 is a Colorado law that fixes incorrect references in the state’s child support guidelines. This means updating the legal documents to ensure they correctly point to the right sections for calculating and enforcing child support payments. It affects anyone involved in setting or following child support rules, such as parents going through divorce or custody arrangements. Since it has been signed into law, these corrections are now part of Colorado’s official statutes, making sure that all references within the guidelines are accurate and up-to-date.

Last action: 2026-02-17 · House

Clarifying Validity of Common Law Marriage

House Bill 26-1218 in Colorado aims to restore a previous law that was repealed in 2025. This restoration clarifies the validity of common law marriages by ensuring they are not invalidated due to certain marriage formality requirements. The bill affects couples who are in common law marriages and need legal recognition without formal paperwork. Since the bill has been signed, it is now law and provides clear guidelines for recognizing common law marriages in Colorado.

Last action: 2026-02-17 · House

Youth Sports Safety Requirements

Senate Bill 26-100, also known as the Youth Sports Safety Requirements, mandates that all youth sports organizations and local governments hosting youth athletic activities must have at least one adult with current first aid, CPR, and AED certifications present during events. The bill also requires chaperones accompanying teams on overnight trips to pass background checks, and it adds more stringent requirements for international background checks if a coach or chaperone has lived outside the U.S. for over 180 days since their last check. Additionally, the bill expands the list of criminal offenses that disqualify individuals from coaching youth sports. This bill is now signed into law, meaning these safety and background check requirements are enforceable and in effect.

Last action: 2026-02-11 · Senate

Child Advocacy Centers

House Bill 26-1142, which has been signed into law, provides legal protection for board members, staff, and volunteers of child advocacy centers in Colorado. This means that these individuals are immune from civil lawsuits if they act in good faith while performing their duties related to protecting children who have experienced or are at risk of maltreatment. The bill also allows certain organizations to share information relevant to the safety and well-being of a child involved in a case of suspected abuse, under specific circumstances. This law aims to support child advocacy centers by reducing legal risks for those working there and improving communication among agencies that protect children.

Last action: 2026-02-04 · House

Protections for Youth on Social Media

HB 26-1148, also known as Protections for Youth on Social Media, is a Colorado law that aims to protect young users of online gaming and social media services. It requires companies providing these services to set high privacy defaults for minors, delete age-related data once a user's age is confirmed, and restrict practices like selling personal information or sending late-night notifications to minors. The law also imposes fees on in-app purchases made by minors, with the collected money going towards the state public school fund. This bill has been signed into law, meaning it is now enforceable and companies must comply with its requirements to protect young users online.

Last action: 2026-02-04 · House

Discuss Adoption Information with Pregnant Persons

House Bill 26-1105 requires health-care providers in Colorado to offer pregnant individuals information about adoption as an alternative to abortion if the individual is considering terminating their pregnancy. This discussion must take place at least 24 hours before any abortion procedure can occur, unless the patient declines this conversation. The bill applies to anyone seeking an abortion from a healthcare facility and was signed into law after being introduced in the Health & Human Services committee.

Last action: 2026-02-03 · House

Safeguard Minors from Sex-Altering Interventions

HB 26-1087, which has been signed into law in Colorado, bans doctors and mental health professionals from providing certain treatments to minors that alter their biological sex characteristics. This includes surgeries, hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and counseling aimed at affirming a minor's gender identity or suggesting they need medical intervention due to distress about their biological sex. The law also prevents schools and healthcare providers from hiding information from parents if their child expresses a desire to transition, and it stops state funding for these treatments. Healthcare professionals who violate this law can lose their licenses and face criminal penalties. This affects minors seeking gender-affirming care and the medical professionals who provide such services.

Last action: 2026-02-02 · House

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

Child Welfare Prevention Services Funding

HB 26-1075 increases funding for child welfare prevention services and programs in Colorado by changing how money is allocated to a trust fund. Instead of using funds from all prevention services, it now uses money specifically identified by the federal Title IV-E clearinghouse and managed by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. This bill also extends the life of the trust fund and its governing board beyond 2027. Since the bill has been signed into law, these changes are now in effect, providing more support for child welfare programs across the state.

Last action: 2026-02-02 · House

Drive Motorcycle Written Permission

House Bill 26-1079 requires young people under the age of 18 in Colorado to get written permission from their parent or legal guardian before they can start learning to ride a motorcycle. This rule doesn’t apply to teenagers who are legally emancipated. Since the bill has been signed, it is now law and must be followed by anyone under 18 who wants to obtain an instruction permit for motorcycles.

Last action: 2026-02-02 · House

Order of Additional Parenting Time

Senate Bill 26-73, which has been signed into law, addresses situations where a parent is wrongly denied court-ordered parenting time due to an investigation by authorities that finds no abuse or neglect. The law allows courts to order the other parent to provide additional parenting time equal to what was missed, including weekends and holidays, within two years of the denial. This affects parents involved in custody disputes and aims to ensure fair treatment when wrongful denials occur. Since it has been signed, this bill is now enforceable by Colorado courts.

Last action: 2026-01-28 · Senate

Age Attestation on Computing Devices

Senate Bill 26-51, also known as the Age Attestation on Computing Devices bill, requires operating system providers and app stores to ask users for their age when setting up an account. This information is then shared with app developers so they can tailor content based on the user's age. The law aims to protect minors by ensuring apps don't collect unnecessary personal data beyond what's needed to comply with the act. It also sets penalties for violations, ranging from $2,500 to $7,500 per minor affected, depending on whether the violation was negligent or intentional. This bill has been signed into law and is now in effect, meaning operating system providers and app developers must start implementing these age verification measures as specified.

Last action: 2026-01-27 · Senate

Remove Exception to Marry with Judicial Approval

Senate Bill 26-48 changes Colorado's marriage laws by removing an exception that allowed 16 and 17-year-olds to get married with court approval. Now, the bill requires everyone to be at least 18 years old to marry in Colorado. This change affects young people who were previously able to marry with a judge’s permission when they turned 16 or 17. Since the bill has been signed into law, it is now official and enforceable.

Last action: 2026-01-27 · Senate

Raising Age of Voluntary Relinquishment of Child

House Bill 26-1024 changes Colorado law to allow parents to voluntarily give up their baby for adoption or foster care if the child is 30 days old or younger, instead of limiting this option to babies less than 72 hours old. It also requires the Department of Human Services to create rules that help parents who gave up their child to potentially reunite with them later. This bill has been signed into law and affects new parents considering giving up their newborns.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · House

Child Care Provider Licensing & Quality

Senate Bill 26-20 aims to improve Colorado's child care system by creating a digital platform for managing provider information and employee records. It also requires the state department of early childhood to gradually use its own staff instead of third-party contractors for inspections, with some health and sanitation checks excluded from this change. The bill allows provisional licenses for up to nine months if local zoning issues delay full licensing, ensuring these facilities can still operate while resolving disputes. Additionally, it sets up a task force to study ways to simplify the child care licensing process and improve quality standards. Since the bill has been signed into law, its provisions will now be implemented as outlined.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · Senate

Early Childhood Local System Consolidation

Senate Bill 26-19 consolidates early childhood services in Colorado by merging local coordinating organizations (LCOs) into early childhood councils. This change will happen by July 1, 2026, and aims to improve access to quality programs for young children and their families while also supporting the workforce that provides these services. The bill is now signed into law, meaning it has been fully enacted and its provisions are set to take effect as scheduled.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · Senate

Protections for Minors Featured in Digital Content

HB 26-1058, which has been signed into law and will take effect on June 1, 2027, aims to protect minors who are featured in compensated online content. It requires content creators earning at least $40,000 from such content over a year to set aside a portion of their earnings for the minor's trust fund until they turn 18 or become emancipated. Additionally, it allows adults and emancipated minors to request removal of their uniquely identifiable information within 72 hours if featured in online posts after the bill’s effective date. The law also prohibits profiting from producing or distributing sexually exploitative content involving minors and mandates online platforms to develop strategies to mitigate risks related to such content.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · House

Legal Protections for Dignity of Minors

Senate Bill 26-18, which is now law after being signed by the governor, protects minors' privacy when they change their names starting July 1, 2026. If someone under 18 wants to legally change their name and hasn't been convicted of a felony, the court will keep this information private and won’t publish it online. The bill also means that young people don’t have to tell everyone about their name change publicly. Only certain individuals can access these records with permission from those involved in the case. This law aims to help minors maintain privacy when changing names, shielding them from public disclosure unless there’s a prior felony conviction.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · Senate

Parental Equality & Child Empowerment Act

Senate Bill 26-27, known as the Parental Equality & Child Empowerment Act, proposes a new rule for courts when deciding how much time children spend with each parent after separation or divorce. If both parents live within 25 miles of where the child goes to school or daycare, the law would assume it's best for the child if they have equal time with both parents, unless there is strong evidence that this isn't in the child's best interest. This bill has been signed into law and will affect families going through custody arrangements in Colorado.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · Senate

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