HB 1013 Colorado House · 2026 Regular Session

Ratio Utility Billing Systems

Summary

The act 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 provider 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;The utility costs for common areas or shared facilities are excluded from the charges to the tenant; andThe landlord clearly discloses the method of allocation for the dwelling unit in the tenant's rental agreement. For residential premises constructed with permits applied for on or after July 1, 2027, utility service must be metered directly by the utility provider or by a submeter.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Signed Mar 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 5 comparisons

What changed between versions

Rerevised → Final Act · 4 edits · Mar 17, 2026

MODERATE

This bill amends Colorado law to allow landlords to use a ratio utility billing system to allocate utility costs to tenants, provided they meet specific transparency and cost-limit requirements. The changes clarify that landlords cannot charge fees above actual utility costs and must exclude common area costs from tenant allocations. Additionally, the bill introduces a new mandate requiring gas, electric, and water meters for residential units constructed after July 1, 2027.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of utility billing regulations by explicitly authorizing ratio utility billing systems under strict conditions and adding a new requirement for submetering in newly constructed residential properties.

REQUIREMENT

Landlords are now explicitly permitted to use a ratio utility billing system to allocate utility costs among tenants, provided they do not apply markups, exclude common area costs, and clearly disclose the allocation method in rental agreements.

The prohibition on charging tenants fees above actual utility costs was refined to clarify that exceptions exist only for specific statutory fee structures, ensuring landlords cannot add administrative surcharges.

TIMELINE

A new requirement mandates that gas, electric, and water service in residential premises with permits applied for on or after July 1, 2027, must be metered directly or via a submeter.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting updates were made to the bill text, including changes to the sponsor list and the header indicating the bill's final passage status.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 12, 2026 · House Feb 18, 2026

How they voted

40–22

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 64

Mar 12, 2026

D Democratic42

40 Yea 2

95% Yea

R Republican22

22 Nay

100% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 26, 2026

Signed into law

Governor Signed

executive

Mar 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by the President of the Senate

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by the Speaker of the House

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Introduced

House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (40-22-2)

senate

Mar 11, 2026

Introduced

House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee on Business, Labor, & Technology Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Introduced

Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Business, Labor, & Technology

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Committee on Business Affairs & Labor Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole

lower

Jan 14, 2026

Introduced

Introduced In House - Assigned to Business Affairs & Labor

lower

5 primary · 24 co-sponsors