CO-LEGISLATURE

Colorado Bill Requires Key Boxes at Schools

Colorado Senate Bill 26-104 requires school districts and charter/nonpublic schools to install exterior key boxes containing necessary keys and access control devices. This measure aims to facilitate law enforcement access to school buildings and rooms during emergencies. The bill permits the use of school security disbursement program funds for installation.

Colorado Bill Changes Nursing Home Penalty Fund Distribution

Colorado Bill HB26-1244 amends the criteria for distributing funds from the nursing home penalty cash fund. The bill shifts distribution priorities to align with CMS guidelines and changes the annual reporting deadline. It also expands the definition of 'benefit residents' to include training and removes restrictions on governmental entities applying for grants.

Colorado Bill SB26-135: K-12 Funding and Excess Revenue Retention

Colorado bill SB26-135 proposes to increase state public K-12 education funding by up to 2% for ten years, contingent on voter approval in November 2026. The bill would allow the state to retain excess revenues above the fiscal year spending limitation to fund this increase and other educational initiatives.

Colorado Bill: Court Actions for Failure to Appear in Court

Colorado's SB26-112 proposes amendments to current law regarding conditions for pretrial release for defendants who have previously failed to appear in court. The bill clarifies when monetary conditions can be imposed for certain offenses and addresses situations where a defendant's counsel is present.

Colorado Transportation Safety Statutes Modifications

Colorado Bill HB26-1237 proposes modifications to transportation safety statutes. Key changes include clarifying tire requirements, prohibiting parking in bike lanes, updating rules for moving obstructing vehicles, and standardizing terminology for collisions to 'crash' or 'incident'. The bill is currently under consideration in the 2026 Regular Session.

Colorado Early Childhood Services Bill Updates

Colorado Bill HB26-1259 makes significant changes to early childhood services, including clarifying licensing exemptions, updating provider reimbursements, modifying funding for the universal preschool program, and adjusting advisory body memberships. The bill aims to streamline requirements and clarify existing provisions for early care and education providers.

Colorado Bill Supports Human-Animal Bond as Social Determinant of Health

Colorado Bill HB26-1229 proposes to amend the definition of 'social determinants of health' to include the human-animal bond. This change would authorize the health disparities and community grant program to fund initiatives supporting this bond, impacting public health and human services.

Colorado Bill Prohibits Monetary Assessments Against Juveniles

Colorado HB26-1232 proposes to prohibit courts and the state from assessing or collecting administrative fees, costs, and surcharges against juveniles or their parents/guardians. This applies to crimes committed when the juvenile was under 18 and sentenced before age 21. The bill is currently under consideration in the 2026 Regular Session.

Motor Vehicle Taxes for Armed Forces Members

Colorado Bill HB26-1200 proposes to amend motor vehicle tax and fee requirements for members of the United States armed forces serving outside the state. The bill aims to simplify the process by removing the requirement for military members to sign an affidavit to qualify for certain tax exemptions and late fee exceptions.

Colorado Bill SB26-137: Reduce Administrative Burdens

Colorado bill SB26-137, introduced for the 2026 Regular Session, aims to reduce administrative burdens by modifying mandatory rule reviews by principal departments and clarifying the scope of the attorney general's authority in litigation discovery. The bill is currently under consideration.