Colorado 2025 Bills

Areas of Local Preemption

SCR 26-1 is a Colorado bill that gives local governments more power within their own boundaries. It allows cities and counties to make rules that override conflicting state laws in areas like construction permits, zoning, land use, utilities, infrastructure, and historical or natural resource protection. This means that when there's a conflict between what the state says and what a local government wants to do in these specific areas, the local government’s rules take precedence. The bill has been signed into law, so it is now official and will affect how local governments operate within their jurisdictions.

Last action: 2026-04-16 · Senate

Nonmortgage Property Tax Exemption

HCR 26-1003 is a bill that would allow counties in Colorado to offer property tax exemptions for single-family homeowners who own their homes outright and live in them. If passed by voters in the 2026 general election, this could reduce taxes for some homeowners without mortgages. The bill has been signed but needs voter approval before it can take effect, meaning that no changes will happen until after next year’s election.

Last action: 2026-04-13 · House

Determination of Town Abandonment

Senate Bill 26-157 in Colorado updates the process for determining if a town has been abandoned. It allows individuals like registered voters and landowners, not just counties, to apply for an abandonment determination when a town hasn't held elections or doesn’t have officials for five years, or when it faces critical issues such as failing water infrastructure. If a town is struggling with its water system, the state can transfer up to $100,000 from one fund to another to help maintain the water supply until the situation is resolved. The bill has been signed into law, meaning these changes are now in effect and will impact how towns that are no longer functioning are handled by the government.

Last action: 2026-04-08 · Senate

Marijuana Tax Cash Fund Distributions

House Bill 26-1409 changes how marijuana tax money is distributed in Colorado. Instead of giving 3.5% of the tax revenue to local governments, it now allocates most of the funds (73.17%) to a state fund called the Marijuana Tax Cash Fund and distributes smaller percentages to other state funds like education and general government spending. The bill also ensures that at the end of each year, any leftover money in the Marijuana Tax Cash Fund goes to the public school fund if it exceeds certain limits set by the state. Since the bill has been signed into law, these changes are now in effect.

Last action: 2026-04-02 · House

Severance Tax Fund Expenditures

House Bill 26-1387, which has been signed into law, allows for money from Colorado's severance tax fund to be transferred to a new species conservation trust fund. Starting in 2027, the state treasurer will annually transfer up to $14.2 million or any leftover funds from the severance tax revenue that aren't needed for other programs, whichever is less, to this conservation fund. This bill affects how money from oil and gas taxes is used and supports wildlife conservation efforts in Colorado. Since it has been signed, the law is now in effect and being implemented by state officials.

Last action: 2026-04-02 · House

Modify Property Tax Lien Sales Treasurer Deeds & Fees

Senate Bill 26-144 modifies how Colorado county treasurers handle property tax lien sales and the fees they charge. It sets specific fee amounts for these services starting June 1, 2026, and includes provisions to adjust these fees every five years beginning in 2026. The bill also updates the process for public auctions related to delinquent property taxes, ensuring it aligns with current legal standards to prevent unconstitutional takings of taxpayers' properties beyond their tax debt. Since the bill has been signed into law, these changes will be implemented as scheduled.

Last action: 2026-03-20 · Senate

Development of Thermal Energy Resources

Senate Bill 26-142, titled "Development of Thermal Energy Resources," allows industrial and commercial facilities to sell thermal energy that they recover as a by-product from their main operations. This bill also permits local governments to enter into agreements for thermal energy networks and issue bonds to finance related infrastructure. Additionally, it increases the capacity limit for community geothermal gardens and removes voter approval requirements for certain heating and cooling systems built or acquired by municipalities. The bill has been signed into law, meaning these changes are now in effect.

Last action: 2026-03-19 · Senate

Modify Standards of Wildfire Resiliency Code Board

House Bill 26-1334 modifies how Colorado handles wildfire safety standards. It changes the schedule for reviewing these safety codes from a fixed three-year cycle to more flexible reviews based on need, with an initial review due by July 1, 2026. The bill also allows individuals affected by these codes to request modifications and pushes back the deadline for local governments to adopt or exceed the minimum wildfire safety standards until April 1, 2027. Since it has been signed into law, this means that the new rules are now in effect and local communities will need to follow them accordingly.

Last action: 2026-03-16 · House

Adjust Requirements Statewide Affordable Housing Fund

HB 26-1313 is a Colorado bill that changes how local and tribal governments can receive funding from the statewide affordable housing fund. Instead of requiring a yearly increase of 3% in affordable housing units starting in 2027, it sets new targets based on recent housing permits and job growth rates in their area. The bill also allows for waivers if these targets are not met, giving local governments more flexibility to meet the needs of their communities. This bill has been signed into law, meaning its provisions will take effect as planned.

Last action: 2026-03-02 · House

Lot Splitting Approval by Subject Jurisdictions

HB 26-1308 is a Colorado bill that simplifies and standardizes the process for splitting larger lots into two smaller ones after December 31, 2027. It requires local governments to approve lot splits if certain conditions are met, such as ensuring each new lot is at least 1,200 square feet and can be feasibly accessed and developed. The bill also mandates that mortgage lenders consent to the split before it can proceed. This legislation affects property owners looking to subdivide their land and local governments responsible for approving these splits. Since the status of this bill is "signed," it means the governor has approved it, making it law effective from December 31, 2027.

Last action: 2026-03-02 · House

Health Service District Affordable Housing Service

House Bill 26-1300 allows health service districts in Colorado to add or remove affordable housing services from their plans without needing additional approval from local government bodies. This means that these districts can now plan and manage projects related to affordable housing, such as building new homes or fixing up existing ones, as long as the board of directors agrees and works with local public housing entities. The bill has been signed into law, so health service districts can start providing these services right away.

Last action: 2026-02-25 · House

Mitigate Impacts of Tax Increment Financing

Senate Bill 26-129 aims to address how tax increment financing (TIF) affects local services and infrastructure in Colorado. It requires entities that would be impacted by TIF plans to either confirm or challenge the impact reports submitted by urban renewal authorities within 45 days, with a presumption of confirmation if no response is given. The bill also mandates annual reports starting from October 1, 2027, to evaluate how TIF impacts education funding at both state and local levels. Since it has been signed into law, this legislation will now be enforced, affecting local governments and taxing entities involved in urban renewal projects.

Last action: 2026-02-25 · Senate

Authorize Local Electronic Ballot Return

Senate Bill 26-119 allows special districts and municipalities in Colorado to use electronic systems for voters to return their marked ballots securely. This means voters can submit their completed ballots through a secure online system that protects voter privacy and ballot integrity. The bill ensures that these electronic returns are then converted into paper ballots by election officials before being counted, maintaining transparency and security throughout the process. Since the bill has been signed, special districts and municipalities in Colorado now have the option to implement this new method for returning voted ballots electronically.

Last action: 2026-02-20 · Senate

Renewable Energy Development on Disturbed Lands

HB 26-1268, titled "Renewable Energy Development on Disturbed Lands," allows local governments to designate specific areas within their jurisdiction as zones for renewable energy and storage projects. These designations must involve public hearings and community engagement, especially with disproportionately impacted communities, and ensure that projects can be approved based on objective standards without needing additional permits. The bill also requires utilities to provide interconnection information within 30 days of a request from project developers or local governments. Additionally, it mandates the Colorado Energy Office to publish and update resources for developing these renewable energy projects online. Since the status is "signed," this means that the governor has approved the bill, making its provisions official law in Colorado. This will affect local governments, utility companies, and communities interested in renewable energy development on disturbed lands.

Last action: 2026-02-19 · House

Local Government Approval of Transmission Infrastructure

HB 26-1278, also known as the "Local Government Approval of Transmission Infrastructure" bill, requires electric companies to get approval from both the state's Public Utilities Commission and local governments before they can start building high-voltage transmission lines. This means that these companies must first receive a certificate proving their project is necessary for public use and then secure all needed permits from local authorities before taking any legal action to acquire land for construction. The bill has been signed into law, meaning it will now be enforced as part of Colorado's regulations.

Last action: 2026-02-19 · House

Local Regulation of Massage Facilities

HB 26-1257, a Colorado bill that has been signed into law, expands the definition of illicit massage businesses to include those involved in any criminal activity beyond human trafficking. It allows local governments more flexibility to create stricter regulations and licensing requirements for these businesses to prevent illegal activities, protect public health and safety, and support legitimate massage therapy businesses. The law also increases the administrative fees that local governments can charge for issuing or renewing licenses, removes previous exemptions from these fees, and requires local governments to consider the impact of new regulations on legal massage businesses when creating them after August 13, 2026. This means that cities and counties now have more power to regulate massage facilities within their jurisdictions to ensure they are not being used for illegal activities.

Last action: 2026-02-18 · House

Disconnection from Statutory Municipality

HB 26-1253 is a Colorado bill that changes how landowners can disconnect their agricultural or farm lands from statutory towns or cities. The bill restricts the use of court decrees for disconnection if the land is within an urban renewal area or expected to receive services from special districts, requiring these owners to follow a different process instead. Additionally, it requires landowners seeking disconnection through ordinance to notify county commissioners and boards of affected special districts and urban renewal authorities, allowing these entities to discuss potential negative impacts before the disconnection happens. The bill has been signed into law, meaning its new rules are now in effect for any future requests to disconnect land from statutory municipalities.

Last action: 2026-02-18 · House

Property Tax Proceedings for Nonresidential Property

HB 26-1233, a Colorado bill that's now signed into law, introduces penalties for nonresidential property owners who provide false information or fail to report accurate details about their properties when asked by the county. Starting from January 1, 2026, these owners could face civil fines and petty offenses if they intentionally misreport or delay providing necessary information. The bill also allows for appeals related to property valuation to be moved from a local board of assessment appeals to district court under certain conditions, giving more options for resolving disputes. Additionally, it states that nonresidential property owners who engage in misconduct during the appeal process may lose their right to interest on any tax refunds they receive. This bill affects businesses and other entities owning nonresidential properties in Colorado.

Last action: 2026-02-18 · House

County Enforcement Authority

HB 26-1239, titled "County Enforcement Authority," updates and modernizes how counties can enforce rules related to public safety. It allows counties to compel property owners to remove trash, weeds, and dangerous buildings or structures that pose a risk to the community. The bill also gives counties more power to address illegal construction or land use violations. This affects all residents within Colorado counties as it strengthens local authorities' ability to maintain safe and clean communities. Since the bill has been signed into law, these new enforcement powers are now in effect for county officials across Colorado.

Last action: 2026-02-18 · House

Improved Funding to Support Development

HB 26-1206 is a Colorado bill that allows city and county housing authorities to collect sales or property taxes from residents and businesses within their jurisdiction. The collected funds will be used specifically for housing projects approved by local voters through ballot measures. This means that if the community agrees, these taxes can help fund more affordable housing initiatives. Since the status of this bill is "signed," it has been enacted into law and is now in effect, meaning housing authorities can start implementing these tax measures to support their development goals.

Last action: 2026-02-12 · House

Temporary Decrease Statutory Property Tax Revenue Limits

House Bill 26-1209 temporarily reduces the amount by which local governments and special districts can increase property tax revenue each year from 5.5% to 4%, starting in January 2027 until January 2033. This change applies to most local entities but does not affect school districts, unless they get statewide voter approval. The bill has been signed into law, meaning the reduced rate will take effect as planned for those years.

Last action: 2026-02-12 · House

Modification of County Commissioner Elections

HB 26-1203 changes how counties with a population of at least 70,000 elect their county commissioners. If such a county has 3 commissioners, they must be elected by district. For counties with 5 commissioners, the bill requires either all commissioners to be elected from specific districts or three by district and two through ranked voting by all voters in the county. This means that every ten years during census year elections, counties with 3 commissioners will have a vote on whether to increase their board size to 5 and choose an election method. The law also allows voters to change the election method if they gather enough signatures. Home rule counties are exempt if more than half of their commissioners are already elected by district or ranked voting. Since it has been signed, this bill is now a law and will affect how these counties conduct elections in the future.

Last action: 2026-02-11 · House

County Executive Officer Disclosures

Senate Bill 26-105 requires certain county officers like coroners and recorders to disclose any financial interests they have in businesses related to death care services, such as funeral homes or crematories. They must post this information on their official website within a month of taking office or acquiring the interest. The law also mandates that these officials cannot take part in decisions that directly affect their own business interests. Additionally, coroners are required to report annually how many times they referred remains to death-care providers without revealing personal details about the deceased or their families. Since the bill has been signed, it is now a law and must be followed by those affected.

Last action: 2026-02-11 · Senate

Strategy to Reduce & Prevent Homelessness

HB 26-1202, known as the Strategy to Reduce and Prevent Homelessness, requires Colorado’s Department of Local Affairs to develop a statewide plan by January 2027 for addressing homelessness. This plan will identify barriers to services, recommend funding and policy changes, and suggest ways for state and local governments to work together more effectively. Additionally, it allows local governments to form special districts aimed at reducing homelessness through coordinated efforts and potentially new taxes, with voter approval required if taxes are involved. The bill has been signed into law, meaning these measures will now be implemented as planned.

Last action: 2026-02-11 · House

Building Code Accessibility

Senate Bill 26-109 updates Colorado's building codes to better accommodate people with disabilities. It removes outdated definitions and clarifies standards for accessible housing to ensure they meet the needs of individuals who have limited mobility. The bill also allows local agencies to create new ways to handle disputes about these accessibility requirements and requires developers to plan how they will include accessible units in their projects. Since it has been signed, this bill is now law and affects all housing developments and enforcement agencies in Colorado.

Last action: 2026-02-11 · Senate

Modification of County Elected Officer Salary Categories

Senate Bill 26-92 modifies how Colorado counties are categorized for setting salaries of elected officials, specifically changing the categories for Dolores County and Pitkin County. For Dolores County, this change will lead to a decrease in salaries for county commissioners, sheriff, treasurer, assessor, clerk, and part-time coroner. In contrast, for Pitkin County, which is a home rule county, the category change could result in higher salaries for similar positions. The bill has been signed into law, meaning these salary adjustments will now take effect according to the new categorizations.

Last action: 2026-02-10 · Senate

Workers' Compensation Insurance Coverage Verification

Senate Bill 26-93, known as Workers' Compensation Insurance Coverage Verification, requires government entities like cities and counties to check that construction companies and their subcontractors have valid workers' compensation insurance before issuing permits or licenses. This means contractors must prove they either have insurance for their workers or have officially declined it. If a violation is found, the permit or license can be revoked. The bill has been signed into law, so now these checks are mandatory for construction projects over $1 million in Colorado.

Last action: 2026-02-10 · Senate

Local Government Renewable Energy Development Fee

Senate Bill 26-82, known as the "Local Government Renewable Energy Development Fee," allows local governments in Colorado to set their own fees and timelines for approving renewable energy projects. It offers two application tracks: a standard track with lower fees but no guaranteed timeline, and an expedited track that charges higher fees but guarantees a decision within 120 days (with partial refunds if delayed). The bill also lets local governments hire outside experts to review applications and requires developers to pay additional success fees based on the time it takes for approval. This bill has been signed into law, meaning local governments can now implement these processes for renewable energy projects.

Last action: 2026-02-06 · Senate

Prepaid Wireless Telecom Services Modifications

House Bill 26-1115, which has been signed into law in Colorado, updates the rules for prepaid wireless phone services. It clarifies and expands definitions related to these services, making sure they include various types of prepaid plans that allow users to make emergency calls (like 911). The bill also adds requirements for companies providing prepaid wireless services to report certain charges to the state's revenue department and ensures these charges are administered correctly by including them in official tax lists. This affects both service providers and consumers who use prepaid wireless phones, ensuring better oversight and compliance with existing laws regarding emergency call access fees.

Last action: 2026-02-04 · House

Digital Publication for Legal Notice

House Bill 26-1095 allows counties and municipalities in Colorado to publish legal notices online instead of in physical newspapers. The bill requires that these digital notices be freely accessible on the newspaper’s website or another public site like a statewide notice platform, without any paywall or subscription fees. This change affects local governments and residents who rely on legal notices for information about government actions and decisions. Since the status is "signed," this means the bill has been approved by both houses of the legislature and signed into law by the governor, so it will now be enforceable.

Last action: 2026-02-03 · House

Allowed Minimum Lot Size for Subject Jurisdictions

House Bill 26-1114, which has been signed into law, sets a minimum lot size requirement for single-family homes in certain areas of Colorado. Starting October 1, 2031, local jurisdictions cannot require lot sizes larger than 2,000 square feet or other restrictions that would prevent the construction of a single-family home on such lots. However, some types of parcels are exempt from this requirement. This law aims to make it easier and more affordable for people to build single-family homes in these areas.

Last action: 2026-02-03 · House

Public Trustee Act Foreclosure Procedures

HB 26-1098 is a Colorado bill that updates foreclosure procedures for properties. It changes how public trustees are paid and removes some requirements they previously had to follow when dealing with county commissioners. The bill also clarifies rules around notices sent before foreclosures, the rights of junior lien holders (people who have secondary claims on property), and what happens to leftover money from a sale if no one claims it. Since the status is "signed," this means that the governor has approved the bill, making these changes official law in Colorado.

Last action: 2026-02-03 · House

County Mail Ballot Signature Verification Requirements

House Bill 26-1080 changes how Colorado counties verify signatures on mail ballots. Instead of one election judge checking each ballot, a team of bipartisan judges will do the verification to ensure fairness and accuracy. The bill also requires the Secretary of State to create rules for this new process. Since it has been signed into law, counties must now follow these updated procedures for signature verification in mail ballot elections.

Last action: 2026-02-02 · House

Publication Counties Without Legal Newspapers

Senate Bill 26-61 in Colorado addresses how legal notices should be published when there are no traditional legal newspapers available in a county. It sets out a priority order for where these notices can appear, starting with local newspapers that meet certain requirements and then allowing for publication in nearby counties if needed. The bill also allows municipalities and special districts spanning two counties to publish their notices in either of those counties' newspapers as long as they meet the legal standards. Since it has been signed into law, this means that these new rules are now official and must be followed by local governments when publishing legal notices.

Last action: 2026-01-28 · Senate

Colorado Firefighter Safety Act Petition Elections

Senate Bill 26-47, also known as the Colorado Firefighter Safety Act Petition Elections bill, allows voters in local areas to petition for a ballot question that would require their city government to engage in collective bargaining with firefighters and extend safety protections under the Colorado Firefighter Safety Act. This means that if enough residents sign a petition, it can be put on any general or coordinated election ballot, giving voters the chance to decide whether these changes should happen. Since the bill has been signed into law, local governments now have to follow this new process for firefighter-related petitions.

Last action: 2026-01-27 · Senate

Fire and Police Pension Association Disability and Survivor Benefits

Senate Bill 26-39 updates and streamlines the rules for disability and survivor benefits provided by the Fire and Police Pension Association in Colorado. It simplifies the process for members who apply for disability retirement benefits, allowing them to avoid multiple medical exams and potentially participate in rehabilitation programs instead. The bill also clarifies when cost-of-living adjustments start for those receiving total disability benefits and removes certain employer liabilities related to pre-existing health conditions. Since it has been signed into law, these changes are now in effect, impacting current and future members of the association who rely on these benefits.

Last action: 2026-01-27 · Senate

Colorado State University Ordinance Compliance

Senate Bill 26-38, which has been signed into law, requires the Colorado State University system’s board of governors to follow local noise and sign regulations set by cities or counties where university property is located. This means that universities must adhere to rules about loud noises and signage as defined by local governments. The bill affects both the universities within the state system and the communities surrounding them. Since it has been signed, the bill is now law and universities are expected to comply with these local regulations.

Last action: 2026-01-26 · Senate

Monument Records Placement Submission Maintenance

Senate Bill 26-25, also known as the Monument Records Placement Submission Maintenance Act, allows land surveyors to place reference markers in safer locations instead of on traveled roads when marking property boundaries or setting up monuments for new subdivisions. It also requires these surveyors to submit their records electronically and permits counties to keep these records digitally. This bill has been signed into law, meaning it is now official and must be followed by land surveyors and local governments in Colorado.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · Senate

Local Access State Parks Grant Program

Senate Bill 26-30 introduces a new grant program called the "Local Access State Parks Grant Program" in Colorado. This program uses funds from an annual pass purchase option at vehicle registration to help local governments improve roads and infrastructure that give better access to state parks and wildlife areas within their boundaries. The bill ensures that after $36 million is allocated for park maintenance, search and rescue efforts, and avalanche safety, the remaining money will go entirely into a new fund dedicated to these grants. If no grant applications are received by December 31, 2029, or any year thereafter, the leftover funds will be split between existing wildlife and parks funds as before. The bill has been signed into law, meaning it is now active legislation in Colorado.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · Senate

Local Taxes on Vacant Residential Property

HB 26-1036 allows local governments in Colorado to impose taxes on vacant residential properties if approved by voters. The collected funds must be used for affordable housing initiatives. This bill also enables multiple local governments to form a joint authority to manage and enforce these taxes together. Since the bill has been signed, it is now law and local governments can start implementing it according to voter approval.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · House

Motor Vehicle Regulation Administration

HB 26-1053, also known as the Motor Vehicle Regulation Administration bill, changes Colorado's vehicle registration process. It allows car owners to transfer their license plates to a new vehicle instead of getting new ones when they sell or buy a different car. The bill also requires the Department of Revenue to create an electronic system for vehicle registrations and develop a plan to handle any disruptions in licensing operations. Additionally, it mandates that authorized agents keep 3.33% of fees collected from the Keep Colorado Wild Pass program. Since the bill has been signed into law, these changes are now official and will be implemented by the Department of Revenue.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · House

Housing Developments on Qualifying Properties

HB 26-1001 is a Colorado law that allows certain nonprofit organizations and educational institutions to build residential developments on small properties (up to 5 acres) without facing strict zoning restrictions. This means these groups can more easily construct affordable housing units starting December 31, 2027, as long as the buildings meet specific height and density requirements. The law also ensures that local governments cannot impose stricter rules for these developments compared to other similar housing projects in their area. Since it has been signed into law, this bill will help increase affordable housing options by making it easier for eligible organizations to develop properties for this purpose.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · House

State & Local Unmanned Aircraft Regulation

Senate Bill 26-24, also known as the "Unmanned Aircraft Systems Rights and Authorities Act," allows individuals to fly drones for both recreational and commercial purposes in Colorado, provided they follow state and federal laws. It prevents local governments from requiring drone registration beyond what is already mandated by federal law and limits their ability to regulate drone operations. The bill ensures that complying with federal regulations does not automatically lead to legal consequences. Since the bill has been signed into law, it now sets clear guidelines for how drones can be used across Colorado without overregulation by local authorities.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · Senate

County Commissioner Redistricting

HB 26-1038, also known as County Commissioner Redistricting, is a bill that changes how county commissioner districts are drawn in Colorado. It requires boards of county commissioners to create independent commissions to redraw district boundaries and sets new rules for who can serve on these commissions and how they operate. The bill also allows voters to challenge the redistricting plans in court if they disagree with them. Since it has been signed, this means that the changes are now law and will affect how county commissioner districts are redefined going forward.

Last action: 2026-01-14 · House