Colorado Designates Emergency Medical Services as Essential Services

Detected March 4th, 2026

Summary

Colorado Bill HB26-1238 proposes to designate emergency medical services, including ambulance and air ambulance services, as essential services within the state. The bill aims to integrate these services into public safety systems and outlines provisions for reimbursement and funding from state accounts.

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What changed

Colorado Bill HB26-1238, introduced for the 2026 Regular Session, seeks to formally designate emergency medical services (EMS) as essential services and an integral part of the state's healthcare infrastructure. The bill authorizes public and private ambulance services to participate in and receive reimbursement from state-coordinated public safety systems. It also enables the disbursement of funds from the highway users tax fund to counties for ambulance services and allows the governor to transfer money from the disaster emergency fund to finance EMS during declared disasters. Additionally, the bill updates definitions related to EMS and clarifies that off-duty providers are not obligated to respond to emergencies.

This legislation, if passed, will have significant implications for the operational and financial landscape of EMS providers in Colorado. Regulated entities, primarily ambulance and air ambulance services, should monitor the bill's progress through the legislative session. While no immediate compliance deadline is set as it is a proposed bill, understanding its provisions is crucial for future operational planning and potential participation in new funding and reimbursement mechanisms. The bill also clarifies provider responsibilities, which may impact internal policies.

What to do next

Monitor the progress of Colorado Bill HB26-1238 through the legislative process.
Review updated definitions and provisions related to emergency medical services and provider obligations.
Assess potential eligibility for new funding and reimbursement opportunities if the bill is enacted.

Source document (simplified)

HB26-1238

Designating Emergency Medical Services Essential Services

| Type | Bill |
| --- | --- |
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects | Health Care & Health Insurance |
Concerning emergency medical services provided in the state, and, in connection therewith, designating emergency medical services, including ambulance services and air ambulance services, to be essential services.

Recent Bill (PDF) Recent Fiscal Note (PDF) Bill Summary:

The bill declares emergency medical services as an essential service in the state and an integral part of the state's health-care infrastructure. In relation to the declaration, the bill authorizes:

Public and private ambulance services in the state to participate in, and receive reimbursement from, public safety-related systems coordinated by the department of personnel or the department of public safety;
The disbursement of money from the emergency medical services account in the highway users tax fund to counties and cities and counties that authorize ambulance services within their boundaries; and
The governor to direct the transfer of money from the disaster emergency fund to the emergency medical services account to finance emergency medical services needed in response to a declared disaster emergency. The bill also updates certain definitions related to emergency medical services, including the addition of a definition of "out-of-hospital setting", which term is included in and may be used interchangeably with the existing defined term "prehospital setting".

The bill clarifies that an off-duty emergency medical service provider is not obligated to respond to the scene of a medical emergency or provide emergency medical services.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)