HB 1239 Colorado House · 2026 Regular Session

County Enforcement Authority

Summary
The act updates county enforcement authority in connection with:Providing for and compelling the removal of rubbish, including trash, junk, and garbage, from property within the county;Providing for and compelling the removal of weeds and brush from property within the county;Providing for and compelling the removal or securing of any building or structure in the county, with specified exceptions, that, due to its condition, presents a substantial danger or hazard to the public health, safety, or welfare; andThe unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, or use of any building or structure in the county or the use of any land in the county in violation of a zoning resolution or ordinance adopted by the board of county commissioners.     For the removal actions described above, the act requires county ordinances to include provisions for applying for and exercising an administrative entry and seizure warrant. The act also allows counties to assess the reasonable costs of removal, including a 10% fee for inspection and incidental costs, as a lien against the property.     The act modifies the civil penalties that a court may impose and the factors that a court must consider in determining the appropriate civil penalty when a property owner violates a county ordinance or building code regarding the removal of rubbish or weeds and brush from property within the county, the removal or securing of a building or structure in the county, or the unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, or use of a building or structure in the county.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 18, 2026 Signed May 29, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 5 comparisons

What changed between versions

Rerevised Final Act · 4 edits · May 19, 2026
MODERATE
The bill was reorganized to clarify its purpose and updated to expand county enforcement powers regarding property maintenance. Key changes include adding specific authority for counties to remove weeds and brush, and strengthening the legal framework for seizing and removing rubbish to cover more property types and ensure costs are properly assessed and collected.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include the removal of weeds and brush in addition to rubbish, and the enforcement mechanisms for rubbish removal were broadened to apply to a wider range of properties and situations.
SCOPE

Added explicit authority for counties to enforce the removal of weeds and brush from property, which was not clearly included in the original version.

ENFORCEMENT

Revised the legal text to clarify that county courts must issue warrants for the removal of rubbish and detailed the specific conditions and timeline (30 days) for executing these warrants.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the requirements for ordinances passed by county commissioners to ensure they include provisions for administrative entry and seizure warrants and proper lien assessments.

TECHNICAL

Removed redundant explanatory text and formatting notes from the header and summary sections to streamline the final act.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 21, 2026 · House Mar 13, 2026

How they voted

612
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 64
Apr 21, 2026
D Democratic42
40 Yea 1 Nay 1
95% Yea
R Republican22
21 Yea 1 Nay
95% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
8
Committee
2
Amendments
2
May 29, 2026
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
May 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by the President of the Senate
upper
May 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by the Speaker of the House
lower
Apr 21, 2026
Introduced
House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
lower
Apr 21, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (61-2-1)
senate
Apr 9, 2026
Introduced
House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
upper
Apr 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee on Local Government & Housing Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Introduced
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Local Government & Housing
upper
Mar 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Committee on Transportation, Housing & Local Government Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Introduced
Introduced In House - Assigned to Transportation, Housing & Local Government
lower
3 primary · 11 co-sponsors

Sponsors