Colorado Bill Expands Livestock Fund Uses for Emerging Threats

Detected March 5th, 2026

Summary

Colorado Bill HB26-1067 renames and expands the uses of the Diseased Livestock Indemnity Fund to include preparation for and response to emerging threats to livestock health. The bill was introduced for the 2026 Regular Session and concerns the agriculture sector.

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What changed

Colorado Bill HB26-1067, introduced for the 2026 Regular Session, amends existing law concerning the Diseased Livestock Indemnity Fund. The bill renames the fund to the "livestock health preparedness, response, and diseased livestock indemnity fund" and expands its permissible uses beyond indemnity payments for slaughter or destruction due to disease. The Commissioner of Agriculture can now authorize the use of fund money to prepare for and respond to certain emerging threats to livestock health.

This legislative change impacts agricultural firms in Colorado by potentially broadening the scope of financial support available for unforeseen animal health crises. While the bill preserves existing funding streams, regulated entities should be aware of the expanded mandate of the fund. No specific compliance deadline is mentioned as this is a legislative bill, but its passage and implementation will alter the operational framework for livestock health management within the state.

What to do next

Review Colorado Bill HB26-1067 for specific implications on livestock health preparedness and response protocols.
Monitor the implementation and operational guidelines issued by the Colorado Department of Agriculture regarding the expanded uses of the livestock fund.

Source document (simplified)

HB26-1067

Diseased Livestock Indemnity Fund

| Type | Bill |
| --- | --- |
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects | Agriculture |
Concerning using money in the diseased livestock indemnity fund to address threats to livestock health.

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

Currently, money in the diseased livestock indemnity fund may be used only to pay indemnity to a livestock owner whose herd has been sold for slaughter or destroyed because the herd was exposed to or diagnosed with an infectious or contagious disease. The bill expands the permissible uses of the money in the diseased livestock indemnity fund by allowing the commissioner of agriculture to authorize using the money to prepare for and respond to certain emerging threats to livestock health.

The bill renames the fund the "livestock health preparedness, response, and diseased livestock indemnity fund" (fund).

Money in the fund consists of the unexpended and unencumbered balance appropriated by the general assembly for the services of commissioned or appointed personnel in the animal health division of the Colorado department of agriculture. Civil penalties collected for violations of the "Livestock Health Act" are also credited to the fund. The bill preserves these statutory funding streams and does not alter the amount of money in the fund.

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Prime Sponsors

Representative

Karen McCormick
Representative

Ty Winter
Senator

Byron Pelton
Senator

Dylan Roberts

Committees

House

Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources

Senate

Agriculture & Natural Resources

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Status

Under Consideration

Introduced

Under Consideration

Upcoming Schedule

1 meeting

Wed

Mar 4

Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources

Upon Adjournment SCR 352

Related Documents & Information

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 02/18/2026 | Reengrossed | PDF |
| 02/17/2026 | Engrossed | PDF |
| 01/21/2026 | Introduced | PDF |

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 01/28/2026 | FN1 | PDF |

| Activity | Vote | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Refer House Bill 26-1067 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. | The motion passed on a vote of 7-0. | Vote summary |

| Activity | Vote | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Refer House Bill 26-1067 to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 13-0. | Vote summary |
Hearing Summary | Committee Report: PDF
| Date | Calendar | Motion | Vote | Vote Document |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 02/18/2026 | Third Reading | BILL | 58 AYE 1 NO 6 OTHER | Vote record |

| Date | Location | Action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 03/04/2026 | Senate | Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole |
| 02/19/2026 | Senate | Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Agriculture & Natural Resources |
| 02/18/2026 | House | House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 02/17/2026 | House | House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments |
| 02/12/2026 | House | House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments |
| 02/09/2026 | House | House Committee on Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole |
| 01/21/2026 | House | Introduced In House - Assigned to Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources |
Prime Sponsor

Rep. K. McCormick | Rep. T. Winter

Sen. B. Pelton | Sen. D. Roberts

Sponsor

(None) Co-Sponsor