New Colorado Laws Taking Effect

This bill delays some planned updates to the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) by two years, moving their start date from 2026 to 2028. These delayed updates include capping family copayments at 7% of their income and paying child care providers based on enrollment rather than daily attendance. It also requires the state and counties to track and report how much money is spent on running the program.

This bill makes it easier for Coloradans to find mental health care by forcing insurance companies to keep their provider directories accurate. It requires insurers to regularly remove inactive therapists from their lists, so patients don't waste time calling 'ghost' providers who aren't actually taking new patients. It also speeds up the insurance approval process for behavioral health clinics and allows patients to use their insurance to see pre-licensed mental health professionals.

This bill extends an existing tax break that rewards people and businesses for donating to child care programs in Colorado. Instead of expiring in 2028, the Child Care Contribution Tax Credit will continue for another 10 years until 2038. If you donate money to a qualifying child care provider, you can get half of your donation back as a state income tax credit.

This bill creates a new 'thriving institution' label to recognize Colorado public colleges and universities that do an exceptional job helping students graduate and find good jobs. Instead of just looking at how many students a school enrolls, the state will measure how well schools support historically underserved students, rural students, and adult learners. An advisory committee will help decide exactly what performance goals schools need to hit to earn this title.

This bill makes it easier and cheaper for Coloradans to use small, plug-in solar panels (like those used on apartment balconies) by preventing utilities, HOAs, and landlords from banning them or charging extra fees. It also requires electric utilities to allow "meter collar adapters," a device that lets homeowners install solar panels or battery backups without needing expensive electrical panel upgrades. Overall, it cuts red tape to make adopting home solar more accessible for renters and homeowners alike.

This bill makes Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) the lead state agency for planning and coordinating outdoor recreation. It requires CPW to hire new regional staff to work with local communities, tribal nations, private landowners, and federal agencies to improve outdoor spaces. The goal is to make sure Colorado's booming outdoor recreation sector is sustainable and doesn't harm wildlife, agricultural lands, or private property.

This bill extends an existing state program that gives tax credits to businesses that create new, well-paying jobs in Colorado. Instead of expiring in 2026, the Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit will now be available through 2034. It's essentially a financial tool the state uses to encourage companies to expand and hire locally.

This bill extends an existing state income tax credit for people and businesses who donate to approved nonprofits that help Coloradans experiencing homelessness. Currently set to expire in 2026, this bill allows taxpayers to keep claiming the credit for four more years, through 2030. It is designed to encourage private donations to local homeless service providers.

Currently, if someone commits a crime and an insurance company pays the victim for the damages, the criminal court can order the offender to pay restitution directly to that insurance company. This bill changes the rules so that insurance companies can no longer use the criminal court system to get paid back. Instead, if an insurer wants to recover their money from an offender, they will have to file a separate civil lawsuit.

This bill makes it a felony if someone causes a fatal crash by driving with criminal negligence, specifically including cases where a driver was using a mobile phone. It also increases the penalties for vehicular homicide and vehicular assault, categorizing them as 'crimes of violence' that carry mandatory prison time instead of probation.

This bill gives students and faculty a stronger voice at the Auraria Higher Education Center, the shared Denver campus for MSU Denver, CU Denver, and the Community College of Denver. It grants full voting rights to the student and faculty representatives on the campus's board of directors, who previously only held non-voting advisory roles. It also makes it easier for part-time students and newer Colorado residents to serve in the student seat.

This bill aims to better support Coloradans aged 60 and older who are participating in the workforce. It requires key state workforce and education boards to include at least one member who is 60 or older and advocates for older workers. It also directs state agencies to collaborate, collect data, and report annually to the legislature on how to improve employment access and training for older adults.

This bill gives Colorado public employees more flexibility with their retirement savings. It allows PERA members to purchase retirement service credit for past times they were unemployed, helping them boost their future pension benefits or retire earlier. It also requires all PERA-affiliated public employers to offer 401(k) and 457 retirement plans with both traditional (pre-tax) and Roth (post-tax) options.

This bill makes it easier to hold rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft accountable if their drivers discriminate against riders, such as refusing to transport someone with a service animal. It requires these apps to add an easy reporting button for riders, increases the fines for companies that don't address discrimination, and requires drivers to take training on service animal laws.

This bill sets guardrails for how health insurance companies and therapists can use artificial intelligence. It ensures that a computer program cannot be the final voice denying your medical coverage—a human doctor or clinician must review and approve the denial. It also stops insurance from paying for "AI therapists" and requires mental health chatbots to clearly state they aren't human, protect your privacy, and direct you to a crisis hotline if you're in danger.

This bill requires landlords to be upfront with prospective renters about what background information they check and the specific reasons an application might be denied. It also requires landlords with five or more units, or those receiving state subsidies, to offer tenants the option of having their on-time rent payments reported to credit bureaus to help build their credit. Additionally, it protects tenants' privacy by requiring landlords to remove sensitive personal information, like Social Security numbers, from public court documents during eviction cases.

This bill makes it easier and faster for veterinarians and veterinary technicians licensed in other states to move to Colorado and start working. It also creates a program where pet owners can donate unused, safe pet medications to animal shelters and vets, who can then give them for free to other pet owners in need.

This bill gives mobile home park residents more financial protections and transparency if their park is being sold or their rent is frozen. It requires landlords to share detailed financial and infrastructure information when selling the park, ensuring tenants have a fair shot at buying it themselves. It also caps the annual state registration fee that landlords can pass on to residents at $17.

This bill ensures that people leaving state prisons receive $100 and a 30-day public transit pass to help them get on their feet. It also requires the state to automatically help them secure vital documents like a state ID, social security card, and birth certificate before their release.

This bill protects kids who are featured in profitable online content, like family vlogs or influencer channels run by their parents. It requires parents to put a fair share of the money earned into a trust fund for the child until they turn 18. It also gives adults the right to demand the removal of videos they were featured in as children and forces platforms to crack down on the sexualization of minors.

This bill changes the rules for drivers who get their license suspended for a DUI or similar offense. It forces first-time offenders to use an ignition interlock device (a breathalyzer for your car) for at least nine months before they can get their regular license back, closing a loophole where people could just wait out their suspension period. It also requires the private companies that make these devices to offer mandatory discounts to low-income drivers, instead of the state covering those costs.

This bill prevents companies that manufacture, package, or transport plastic from dumping or leaking raw plastic materials—like pellets, flakes, and powders—into Colorado's waterways, storm drains, or land. It makes it illegal for the state to issue permits that would allow for these types of discharges, ensuring a strict ban to help reduce plastic pollution in the environment.

This bill requires the operating system on your phone or computer to ask for your age when you set up an account. It then securely shares a general age range—like whether you're a minor or an adult—with the apps you download so those apps can automatically apply age-appropriate safety settings. The goal is to protect kids online without forcing you to hand over your exact birth date or ID to every single app developer.

This bill changes how federal money for child abuse prevention is distributed in Colorado. Instead of local governments competing for certain state grants, a portion of these funds will now go directly to counties to support their local child welfare programs. It also makes the state's Child Abuse Prevention Trust Fund and its governing board permanent, rather than letting them expire in 2027.

This bill changes how Colorado calculates taxes on wholesale marijuana. Right now, there is a single 'average market rate' used to figure out the 15% excise tax when growers transfer marijuana to product makers or stores; this bill splits that rate into two categories for indoor-grown and outdoor-grown plants, ensuring outdoor-grown marijuana gets a lower wholesale tax rate.

This bill updates the rules and procedures for property foreclosures managed by county public trustees in Colorado. It sets a standard salary of $12,500 for county treasurers who also serve as public trustees and makes technical tweaks to how foreclosure notices, minor document typos, and leftover foreclosure sale funds are handled. Overall, it aims to streamline the foreclosure process and make the timelines clearer for everyone involved.

This bill makes it illegal for everyday people to use 3D printers or computer-controlled milling machines to make firearms or gun parts at home. It also makes it a crime to possess, buy, or share the digital design files needed to print these weapons. Federally licensed gun manufacturers are exempt from these rules and can continue using this technology.

This bill changes the rules for civil asset forfeiture, which is when the government seizes private property they suspect was involved in a crime. It requires law enforcement to actually secure a criminal conviction, or at least file criminal charges, before they can permanently keep someone's property. It also ensures that people fighting to get their property back in court have the right to a government-funded lawyer if they cannot afford one.

This bill cuts red tape for before- and after-school programs run on public school property. Instead of having to prove they meet staff training and space requirements for two different state agencies, these programs can just show they meet the Department of Education's rules. Please note: This analysis is based on the bill's summary and fiscal note, as the full legislative text was not provided.

This bill updates state criminal laws to replace the term 'child prostitution' with 'commercial sexual activity with a child,' recognizing that children are victims of exploitation, not willing participants. It also strengthens penalties for offenders by requiring mandatory minimum prison or jail sentences for these crimes. Additionally, it makes luring a child over the internet for commercial sexual activity a more severe felony.

This bill tweaks Colorado's affordable home ownership program to make it easier for communities to actually use state housing funds, like those from Proposition 123. It gives the state flexibility to adjust income limits and housing cost caps if newly built affordable homes sit unsold for six months. It also allows local housing groups to rent out these homes instead of selling them if needed, helping ensure the housing doesn't sit empty.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-06-04).

This bill, known as the 'Tamale Act,' expands the rules for home-based food businesses in Colorado. It allows people to legally make and sell homemade foods that need refrigeration or contain meat, like tamales and burritos, directly to consumers. In exchange, these home cooks must take special food safety training, maintain strict temperature controls, and register with the state.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-06-04).

This bill updates the state tax code by charging sales tax on most downloaded computer software and apps starting in 2027. The state will use this new revenue to fund a tax credit for low- and middle-income families with children, and to offer specific tax deductions to restaurants and bars to help lower their operating costs.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-06-04).

This bill aims to reduce air pollution by requiring older, large power plants to install modern pollution controls if they operate past their originally scheduled retirement dates in the 2030s. It also requires utility companies to publicly report the costs if the federal government forces a retiring plant to stay open. Additionally, it allows utilities to recover those specific federally-mandated costs from their customers.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-06-04).

This bill increases state oversight of private detention centers that house immigrants. It allows state health officials to conduct unannounced, quarterly inspections to check living conditions, food safety, and medical care. It also requires local police to undergo training on handling civil immigration detainers and tightens rules on how government agencies share people's personal information.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-06-03).

This bill requires police officers responding to domestic violence calls to use a specific screening tool to figure out if the victim is in extreme danger. If the victim is considered high-risk, the officer must immediately connect them with a victim's advocate right there on the scene. It also requires all officers to undergo mandatory training on how to properly use this safety assessment.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-06-03).

This bill changes the information voters see on their ballots for certain citizen-led initiatives. If a proposed ballot measure costs the state money but doesn't include a way to pay for it, the ballot language must list the top three state programs that will likely see funding cuts as a result. The goal is to give voters a clearer picture of how unfunded ballot measures might impact existing state services.

This bill changes how the state distributes the money collected from vehicle registration and personalized license plate fees. Instead of sending these funds to the state's highway tax fund, it redirects millions of dollars to the state's DMV account to keep it properly funded. It also allows the DMV to charge a new fee if you miss a scheduled appointment or cancel at the last minute.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-06-03).

This bill makes it easier for people without a Social Security number to access unpaid educational opportunities like internships, clinical rotations, and volunteer roles. It requires schools, nonprofits, and certain healthcare facilities to accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for background checks instead of strictly demanding a Social Security number. The goal is to remove barriers for individuals who want to complete educational training but lack a standard Social Security number.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-06-03).

This bill creates a statewide database and an online public complaint process for "host homes," which are private residences that provide care for up to three people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It also directs the state to prioritize its safety inspections based on risk, focusing more resources on agencies with past compliance issues or complaints.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-06-03).

This bill stops employers from holding onto or confiscating their workers' government IDs, like driver's licenses or passports. Bosses can only keep an ID for up to 10 hours to verify employment eligibility, and they have to give workers a written notice about their rights when they do. It also makes holding someone's ID or using it to threaten them with immigration enforcement a criminal offense.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-06-02).

This bill changes how emergency medical services operate in Colorado by allowing ambulances and paramedics to treat people on the scene or via telehealth instead of always transporting them to a hospital. It also ensures that state Medicaid and private insurance companies pay for these on-site or telehealth services. The goal is to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits and provide more flexible care options during emergencies.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-06-02).

This bill updates the rules and security requirements for licensed firearms dealers in Colorado. It requires gun shops to install specific security measures like monitored alarms and reinforced doors, extends background and training requirements to dealership managers, and mandates stricter record-keeping for all firearm transfers. It also allows the state to heavily fine dealers who repeatedly violate these rules.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-06-02).

This bill makes it easier for healthcare providers and pharmacies to make and distribute "compounded" drugs, which are custom medications mixed when standard FDA-approved versions are out of stock or don't fit a patient's needs. It specifically prevents the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy from creating rules that are stricter than existing federal laws. Essentially, it cuts red tape to ensure patients and clinics can access these custom medications when they need them.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-06-02).

This bill requires Colorado school districts and charter schools to create a public policy detailing how they will provide extra resources and support to at-risk students. It encourages schools to partner with community organizations for things like after-school tutoring, mental health services, and teacher support. It also clarifies that when housing developers are required by counties to set aside land for schools, that land must go specifically to public school districts.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-06-01).

This bill keeps Colorado's Open Educational Resources program running for another five years, extending its expiration date from 2026 to 2031. The program provides grants to colleges and universities to create and use free, openly licensed digital textbooks and course materials. It also adds three new members to the state council that oversees the program and requires the state to track how many college courses have zero textbook costs for students.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-06-01).

This bill allows high school students to earn dual credit for a wider variety of college classes. Specifically, it updates the rules so that off-campus college courses, like extended studies programs, can count toward a student's concurrent enrollment program as long as they meet standard accreditation rules.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-06-01).

This bill updates several of Colorado's election procedures to modify how and when people can register and vote. It requires colleges to send voting information to students, addresses what happens when polling places have long lines or run out of ballots, and expands when employees can take time off work to vote. It also makes administrative changes to election timelines, ballot drop box rules, and voter ID requirements for individuals in county jails.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-06-01).

This bill changes how counties handle unpaid property taxes on mobile homes, treating them more like traditional real estate. It stops counties from quickly seizing and selling mobile homes over unpaid taxes, instead using a tax lien process that gives owners much more time to catch up. It also raises the property value limit so more affordable mobile homes won't owe property taxes at all.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-06-01).

This bill extends Colorado's existing conservation easement tax credit for another five years, pushing its expiration date from 2031 to 2036. The program gives a state income tax break to private landowners, like farmers and ranchers, who voluntarily agree to permanently protect their land from future development.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-06-01).

This bill aims to make it easier and faster to open and run a child care facility in Colorado by cutting down on paperwork and standardizing inspections. It creates a centralized digital system for providers to upload their documents once, replaces third-party inspectors with trained state employees, and limits the extra fees local governments can charge child care businesses. It also sets up a task force to find more ways to streamline the state's child care licensing process.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-06-01).

This bill updates the emergency rules for what happens when Colorado's state prisons get too full. It requires the state to move faster to release eligible, non-violent inmates to parole or halfway houses to free up space. It also encourages judges and lawyers to consider alternative sentences, like probation, instead of prison time when the state is running out of beds.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-29).

This bill updates a state loan program originally created to help small businesses recover from COVID-19 so it can now be used for general business support and resiliency. It makes it easier to fund these loans by lowering the amount of private matching money required from 4-to-1 down to 1-to-1. It also moves $5 million into the Colorado Startup Loan Program to help new entrepreneurs get off the ground.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-29).

This bill permanently extends a state grant program that helps rural communities build 'microgrids'—small, localized power grids that keep the lights on during severe weather or natural disasters. Originally set to expire in September 2026, the program will now continue indefinitely. This allows local utilities more time to use existing federal funds to finish backup power projects.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-29).

This bill requires hair relaxers and synthetic hairpieces sold in Colorado to carry clear warning labels if they contain chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm. Starting in July 2027, manufacturers must include these specific warnings on physical packaging and online product listings. The goal is to give consumers transparent information about potential health risks associated with personal care products.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-29).

This bill changes how certain state revenues, like specific fines, penalties, and aviation fuel taxes, are classified under Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR). By redefining these funds as exempt from the state's revenue cap, the state can keep and spend this money rather than refunding it to taxpayers. Ultimately, it allows the state to retain about $45 million more per year for specific programs without hitting the TABOR limit.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-29).

This bill makes sure that everyone working on large construction projects has proper workers' compensation insurance before a city or county will issue a building permit. General contractors will have to collect and verify insurance documents for all their subcontractors, and local governments must suspend permits if they find uninsured workers on the job.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-29).

This bill prevents people from buying Colorado lottery and scratch-off tickets with credit cards or online. If you want to play the lottery, you will only be able to buy tickets in person using cash, a debit card, a check, or a money order. It essentially reverses recent rule changes that would have allowed online and credit card sales.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-28).

This bill sets the statewide funding levels for Colorado's public schools for the 2026-2027 school year, guaranteeing a total K-12 budget of $10.2 billion. It increases base per-student funding to keep up with inflation and adjusts how student enrollment is counted to determine a district's funding. Additionally, it tightens the rules for public part-time programs serving homeschooled students and increases oversight on private companies that manage online public schools.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-27).

This bill allows local governments to create "transit and housing investment zones" around public transit stations. Within these zones, a portion of future state sales tax growth will be kept locally to fund transit, pedestrian, and infrastructure upgrades. It also creates a new state tax credit to encourage developers to build affordable housing near these improved transit hubs.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-27).

This bill aims to prevent sexual abuse in local county and city jails by setting strict new rules for when and how strip searches are conducted. It requires jails to implement sexual assault prevention programs, restricts how videos of naked inmates can be stored, and permanently revokes the certification of officers found guilty of jail sexual assaults. It also creates strong whistleblower protections for jail staff who report abuse.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-27).

This bill makes it easier to use public transportation by requiring large transit agencies to provide clear maps, translated materials, and easily accessible fare information. It also ensures that riders on transit trips lasting three hours or more will have alternative restroom access if the onboard bathroom is out of order.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-26).

This bill creates a new state program to help farmers and commercial pest control workers safely dispose of old, unwanted pesticides and recycle their empty containers. It sets up statewide drop-off events so these hazardous chemicals don't end up in regular landfills. The effort is funded entirely by fees paid by the companies that make the chemicals and the professionals who use the disposal services.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-26).

This bill updates several administrative rules for Colorado's public colleges and universities to cut red tape. It gives universities more freedom to start medium-sized campus construction projects without state approval and allows the University of Colorado to handle its own electrical and plumbing work. It also creates a new advisory group to oversee how student data is collected, stored, and shared while protecting student privacy.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-19).

This new law provides additional support and protections for survivors of crimes like domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. It allows victims to testify via video instead of in the courtroom with their abuser, requires police to undergo trauma-informed training, and ensures medical professionals tell victims how to track their forensic exam results. It also prevents victims from being forced into private arbitration or facing retaliatory lawsuits for reporting sexual misconduct.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-07).

This bill cracks down on the theft of metals used in critical infrastructure, like communication lines, housing, and transportation systems. It requires scrap metal dealers and salvage yards to follow stricter rules when buying these materials, such as not paying in cash and requiring written proof of ownership. The goal is to discourage metal theft by making it much harder for thieves to sell stolen infrastructure materials.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-05).

This law aims to improve maternal health care and reduce racial disparities for people giving birth in Colorado. It requires obstetric doctors and nurses to take training on cultural competence, and mandates that hospitals publicly post a 'statement of respectful maternity care' outlining patient rights. It also allows the state to investigate and penalize healthcare facilities if discrimination or bias leads to severe injury or death during childbirth.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-05).

This bill fixes some minor typos and incorrect section references in Colorado's child support laws. It doesn't change how child support is calculated or who has to pay it; it simply makes sure the legal rulebook is accurate and points to the right paragraphs. It is a routine housekeeping measure to clean up the state's legal code.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-05).

This bill fixes a recent legal glitch to explicitly confirm that common law marriages are still fully recognized in Colorado. In 2025, a line of law protecting common law marriages from standard marriage formalities was accidentally deleted by the legislature. This bill simply puts that exact language back into the state rulebook to prevent any legal confusion.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-05).

This bill cleans up and clarifies several rules for the Colorado Department of Early Childhood to match how things are actually running right now. Most importantly, it permanently allows family members, friends, and neighbors to provide informal child care without needing a state license, a rule that was set to expire soon. It also tightens privacy rules for children's records and clarifies how school districts handle preschool for three-year-olds.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-05).

Currently, Colorado has two separate local groups managing early childhood programs and universal preschool, which can be confusing for parents and providers. This bill simplifies the system by merging Local Coordinating Organizations (LCOs) into existing Early Childhood Councils (ECCs). It creates a single local point of contact to help families find child care and help providers navigate state funding.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-05).

This is a routine 'housekeeping' bill that the state legislature passes every year. It simply renews all the administrative rules and regulations that state agencies created or updated over the past year. By passing this, the state ensures these existing rules don't automatically expire in May 2026.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-05).

This bill updates Colorado's building codes to ensure housing developments include enough accessible units for people with mobility disabilities. It requires developers to create a clear timeline showing when they will build these accessible units so they aren't left for the very end of construction. It also clears up outdated definitions to align with modern international building standards.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-04).

This law changes how the legal system handles cases of child sexual assault to better protect vulnerable victims. It requires police to quickly report these allegations to child advocacy centers and work with them to handle forensic interviews. It also makes it easier for witnesses under age 18 and people with intellectual or developmental disabilities to testify by video instead of facing a defendant in the courtroom.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-04).

This bill ensures that young people who commit crimes before they turn 18 are not charged administrative court fees, fines, or surcharges, even if they are tried as adults. It clarifies an older law to make sure courts and the state cannot assess or collect these specific fees from the youth or their parents.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-05-04).

This bill prevents Colorado state lawmakers from holding more than one elected office at the same time. If someone is elected or appointed to the state legislature, they cannot simultaneously keep another elected position, like a seat on a city council or school board. The rule kicks in as soon as their election or appointment to the state level is officially certified.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-04-29).

This bill bans pet stores and animal brokers in Colorado from selling dogs and cats starting in 2027. Instead, pet stores will only be allowed to host adoption displays for local animal shelters and rescues. You will still be able to adopt a pet from a shelter or buy one directly from an animal's original breeder.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-04-27).

This bill clarifies who is legally responsible for making sure political caucuses and assemblies are accessible to people with disabilities. It states that only the statewide political party can be sued if accessibility rules aren't met. Local county parties, volunteers, and individual members are explicitly protected from being held legally liable.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-04-27).

This law makes sure that people facing charges in local city courts have the same basic rights and protections as those in state courts, like guaranteed access to a public defender. It also requires city courts to livestream their proceedings online, especially for defendants currently stuck in jail, and stops certain small city courts from sentencing people to jail time.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-04-20).

This bill updates the legal rules for criminal cases where a defendant pleads not guilty by reason of insanity. It requires independent mental health exams requested by the defense to be shared directly with the court and the state health department. It also clarifies the legal standards for allowing a defendant to be treated in the community or fully released from state supervision.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-04-20).

This law automatically hides court records when a minor under 18 gets a legal name change, ensuring their old and new names are kept off public internet databases. It also requires family court judges to consider whether parents respect and support their child's protected identity, such as their religion, race, or gender identity, when deciding child custody and decision-making rules.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-04-20).

This bill changes who takes care of the monuments and memorials around the State Capitol and Lincoln Veterans' Memorial Park, handing the job over to History Colorado. It also requires that any new statues or memorials proposed for the Capitol grounds include upfront funding to pay for their lifetime maintenance. Finally, it allows existing trust fund money to be used more flexibly for emergency repairs and long-term upkeep.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-04-06).

This bill expands the list of people and organizations who can ask a judge for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (often called a "Red Flag" order) to temporarily remove firearms from someone in crisis. It allows "co-responders"—mental health professionals who accompany police on emergency calls—and institutions like schools, hospitals, and behavioral health facilities to file these petitions. The goal is to give the organizations and crisis workers who directly interact with struggling individuals a legal tool to prevent gun violence.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-04-02).

When someone is arrested, they have a right to a bond hearing within 48 hours, which often means holding hearings on weekends. This bill updates the weekend bond hearing process to improve accountability to local communities. It allows local elected judges to run weekend hearings using existing bond court staff, and requires annual performance evaluations for appointed weekend bond hearing officers.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-03-27).

This new law makes it easier for Coloradans to get vaccines by allowing pharmacists to prescribe them independently without a doctor's note. It also ensures health insurance covers the HPV vaccine for both men and women, and lets the state rely on a wider range of medical experts to guide public health programs. Finally, it provides legal protections for healthcare workers and pharmacies that safely administer and store vaccines.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-03-26).

This bill clarifies the rules for landlords who split a single utility bill among multiple tenants, a practice known as a ratio utility billing system. It allows landlords to do this as long as they don't charge more than the actual utility bill, don't add hidden administrative fees, exclude common area costs, and clearly explain the billing method in the lease.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-03-26).

Police officers often use chemical field test kits that change color to quickly check if a substance is an illegal drug. This law changes the rules so that if an officer relies solely on one of these color tests for a low-level drug possession charge, they must give the person a ticket (summons) rather than taking them to jail. It also requires judges to warn defendants that these field tests can be inaccurate before letting them plead guilty.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-03-26).

Every year, the state updates its official law books to include all the new laws and voter-approved changes from the previous year. This bill is a routine housekeeping measure that officially recognizes the 2025 version of the Colorado Revised Statutes as the current law of the land. It doesn't create any new rules, but just legally certifies the state's updated rulebook.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-03-26).

This bill updates internal rules for Colorado state lawmakers, allowing them to attend certain joint committee meetings virtually at any time of the year. Before this, legislators were mostly limited to remote participation during legislative off-months or declared emergencies. It essentially gives lawmakers more flexibility to do their jobs without always having to travel to the Capitol.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-03-26).

This bill updates the rules for standard fees charged on prepaid cell phone plans, which fund 911, the 988 mental health crisis hotline, and disability access services. It ensures that prepaid plans offering "unlimited minutes" pay these fees just like other phone plans, closing a recent tax loophole. It also standardizes how telecom companies report and pay these collected fees to the state.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-03-26).

This bill is a routine budget adjustment for the Colorado Department of Transportation for the upcoming fiscal year. It moves money around within the department's existing budget, shifting about $2.6 million from administrative costs directly into construction, maintenance, and operations. It doesn't create any new laws, rules, or taxes; it just ensures the state's transportation agency has its funds allocated to the right places.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-03-26).

This is a routine, mid-year budget update bill that adjusts funding for the Colorado Department of the Treasury. It makes minor financial tweaks to ensure the department has the right amount of money to cover its operational costs, employee benefits, and ongoing services like the Unclaimed Property program. Think of it as the state balancing its checkbook for the current and upcoming fiscal years.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-03-26).

This bill updates the state's budget for ongoing building and repair projects at state-run facilities. Specifically, it gives the Community College of Denver and Colorado Mesa University permission to spend an extra $8.5 million of their own reserve and donated funds to finish campus building expansions. It essentially balances the state checkbook to ensure previously approved construction work can be completed.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-03-25).

This law makes it easier for schools, colleges, transit agencies, and certain nonprofits to build housing on land they already own. Starting in late 2027, local governments must approve these housing projects through a streamlined administrative process, rather than lengthy public hearings, as long as the projects meet basic objective standards. The goal is to cut through local red tape and increase the supply of affordable and workforce housing across Colorado.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-03-12).

This bill makes it easier for regional school organizations, known as Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), to hire experienced leadership by allowing retired executive directors to return to work without losing their state pension benefits. It also allows these organizations to receive specific state funding for career and college readiness programs, even if they don't operate a physical school.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-03-12).

This bill is a routine budget update that adjusts the state funding for the Colorado Department of Early Childhood for the fiscal year. It shifts money around to match actual costs, notably adding $10 million to the Universal Preschool Program while making slight reductions to other administrative and support areas. Overall, it increases the department's total budget by roughly $1.7 million using existing state and federal funds.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-03-12).

This bill updates the state budget for the Colorado Department of Education for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. It adjusts funding levels for existing educational programs, administrative costs, and school district operations to ensure the department has the exact amount of money it needs to operate. Think of it as a routine budget adjustment to keep the state's education system running smoothly, rather than a bill that creates new laws or policies.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-03-12).

Every year, Colorado passes a state budget, but halfway through the year, they have to make minor adjustments based on actual costs. This routine "supplemental" bill updates funding for the Governor's Office, Lieutenant Governor's Office, and state planning departments for the current fiscal year. Overall, it actually reduces the budget for these specific departments by about $13.7 million, mostly by trimming state IT and administrative costs.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-03-12).

This bill makes routine adjustments to the state budget for the Colorado Department of Higher Education for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025. It tweaks the exact funding amounts going to state colleges, universities, financial aid programs, and History Colorado to ensure they have the correct resources to operate.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-03-12).

This is a routine budget bill that adjusts the funding for the Colorado Department of Human Services for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025. It acts as a 'true-up' to ensure the department has the correct amount of money to run existing programs like child welfare, youth services, and benefits management. It does not create new laws or policies, but simply updates the state's budget numbers.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-03-12).

This bill adjusts the state budget for Colorado's judicial system for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. It adds or moves money around to cover updated costs for state courts, public defenders, probation services, and other legal offices. These regular 'supplemental' bills ensure government departments have the exact funding they need to finish the budget year.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-03-12).

This is a routine budget bill that tweaks the funding for the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment for the current fiscal year. It makes minor adjustments to how much money different divisions receive, like unemployment insurance and workers' compensation, to make sure their budgets align with actual costs.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-03-09).

This new law helps workers in communities affected by coal mine and power plant closures find new jobs. It requires certain industries, like construction and clean energy, to give qualified former coal workers first dibs on open positions starting in 2027. It also gives local governments more flexibility on how they can invest settlement money received from coal facility closures.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-02-27).

This bill adjusts the state budget for the Colorado Department of Agriculture for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It makes minor funding tweaks to existing programs, like the Colorado State Fair, agricultural markets, and conservation grants, to make sure the department has the right amount of money to operate. Because it is a supplemental budget bill, it doesn't create new laws, but rather balances the state's checkbook for currently running programs.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-02-27).

This bill is a routine budget adjustment, known as a supplemental appropriation, for the Colorado Department of Corrections. It adjusts funding for the current and upcoming fiscal years to ensure the agency has the right amount of money to operate state prisons, pay staff, and manage parole programs. It does not create new laws or policies, but simply true-ups the state budget to match actual costs.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-02-27).

This is a supplemental budget bill that adjusts the funding for the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing for the current fiscal year. This state department runs Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). The bill essentially balances the state's checkbook to ensure these public health programs have the right amount of money to operate through the end of the year.

Safety clause: this law took effect the day it was signed (2026-02-27).

This bill officially ends a temporary state program that gave extra Medicaid funding to nursing homes for paying their workers at least $15 an hour. Since Colorado's statewide minimum wage rose above $15 an hour in January 2026, all employers must pay that amount anyway, making the extra state payments unnecessary. The bill stops these payouts and returns the unused $8.7 million to the state and federal budgets.