Colorado Bill on Ratio Utility Billing Systems for Landlords

Detected March 10th, 2026

Summary

Colorado's HB26-1013 proposes to allow landlords to use ratio utility billing systems to allocate utility charges to tenants. The bill outlines specific requirements landlords must meet, including not exceeding the total utility cost and clearly disclosing the allocation method in rental agreements.

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What changed

Colorado House Bill HB26-1013, introduced for the 2026 Regular Session, proposes to authorize landlords to implement ratio utility billing systems for residential premises. This would allow landlords to allocate utility charges to individual tenants based on a ratio, provided certain conditions are met. These conditions include ensuring the total billed amount does not exceed the utility provider's charges for the entire premises, not adding extra fees, excluding common area costs, and clearly disclosing the allocation method in the rental agreement.

This bill, if passed, will impact landlords and tenants in Colorado. Landlords will need to review and potentially update their rental agreements and billing practices to comply with the new requirements. Tenants should be aware of how utility costs will be allocated and ensure the landlord's disclosure is clear. The bill is currently under consideration, and its passage and final form will determine the exact compliance obligations and effective dates.

What to do next

Review Colorado HB26-1013 for potential impact on rental agreements and utility billing practices.
Ensure rental agreements clearly disclose the method of utility cost allocation if ratio utility billing is implemented.
Monitor the legislative process for the bill's passage and final effective date.

Source document (simplified)

HB26-1013

Ratio Utility Billing Systems

| Type | Bill |
| --- | --- |
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects | Housing |
Concerning the use of a ratio utility billing system by a landlord to allocate utility charges to tenants.

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

The bill authorizes landlords to use a ratio utility billing system to allocate utility charges for a residential premises to individual tenants. The landlord may charge tenants a utility bill using a ratio utility billing system if the landlord meets certain requirements, such as:

The aggregate amount billed to all tenants does not exceed the amount charged by the utility for service to the entire residential premises;
The landlord does not apply a fee or other charge to the tenant in addition to the actual charges from the utility provider;
The utility costs for common areas or shared facilities are excluded from the charges to the tenant; and
The landlord clearly discloses the method of allocation for the dwelling unit in the tenant's rental agreement. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Prime Sponsors

Representative

Emily Sirota
Representative

Javier Mabrey
Senator

Lisa Cutter
Senator

Mike Weissman

Committees

House

Business Affairs & Labor

Senate

Business, Labor, & Technology

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Status

Under Consideration

Introduced

Under Consideration

Upcoming Schedule

1 meeting

Tue

Mar 10

Senate Third Reading of Bills - Final Passage - Consent Calendar

9:00 AM Senate Chamber

Related Documents & Information

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 02/18/2026 | Reengrossed | PDF |
| 02/17/2026 | Engrossed | PDF |
| 01/14/2026 | Introduced | PDF |

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 03/05/2026 | PA1 | PDF |

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 01/20/2026 | Initial Fiscal Note | PDF |

| Activity | Vote | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Adopt amendment L.004 | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Refer House Bill 26-1013, as amended, 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 5-0. | Vote summary |
Hearing Summary | Committee Report: PDF
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Refer House Bill 26-1013 to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 10-3. | Vote summary |
Hearing Summary | Committee Report: PDF
| Date | Calendar | Motion | Vote | Vote Document |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 02/18/2026 | Third Reading | BILL | 41 AYE 18 NO 6 OTHER | Vote record |

| Date | Amendment Number | Committee/ Floor Hearing | Status | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 03/05/2026 | L.004 | SEN Business, Labor, & Technology | Passed [] | PDF |
| 02/17/2026 | L.002 | Second Reading | Lost [*] | PDF |
* Amendments passed in committee are not incorporated into the measure unless adopted by the full House or Senate.

** The status of Second Reading amendments may be subsequently affected by the adoption of an amendment to the Committee of the Whole Report. Refer to the House or Senate Journal for additional information.

| Date | Location | Action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 03/09/2026 | Senate | Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee |
| 03/05/2026 | Senate | Senate Committee on Business, Labor, & Technology Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole |
| 02/19/2026 | Senate | Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Business, Labor, & Technology |
| 02/18/2026 | House | House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 02/17/2026 | House | House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments |
| 02/06/2026 | House | House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments |
| 02/04/2026 | House | House Committee on Business Affairs & Labor Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole |
| 01/14/2026 | House | Introduced In House - Assigned to Business Affairs & Labor |
Prime Sponsor

Rep. J. Mabrey | Rep. E. Sirota

Sen. L. Cutter | Sen. M. Weissman

Sponsor

Rep. N. Ricks

Co-Sponsor