SB 109: Building Code Accessibility - Colorado

Final Act → Signed Act · 8 edits · May 6, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates Colorado's building code definitions and enforcement rules to modernize accessibility standards. It adds new definitions for 'accessible story' and 'dwelling unit' to clarify which areas of a building must meet accessibility requirements. The bill also expands exemptions for privately funded projects and introduces new rules for alterations to existing buildings, ensuring that changes do not negatively impact accessibility.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of definitions to include specific criteria for 'accessible stories' and clarifies that basements are not considered accessible stories if they are more than four feet below grade. It also modifies the applicability of standards to include new provisions for alterations and additions to existing buildings.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'accessible story' to specify that it includes living, sleeping, and cooking facilities on an accessible route, while excluding basements located more than four feet below grade.

Modified the definition of 'ground story level' to correct spelling errors and ensure consistency with other accessibility terms.

Updated the definition of 'ICC/ANSI A117.1' to reference the 2017 edition or any successor standard, ensuring the code remains current.

Revised the definition of 'Residential Dwelling unit' to correct spelling errors and clarify the inclusion of facilities like dormitories and extended-stay motels.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirements for alterations to existing buildings, stating that changes must comply with accessibility standards unless technically infeasible.

Added a provision treating any additions to a building as new construction for enforcement purposes.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified enforcement provisions to include new language regarding the handling of appeals and exceptions to standards.

EXEMPTIONS

Added new exemptions for certain privately funded projects, allowing flexibility in compliance when full adherence is technically infeasible.

Rerevised → Final Act · 5 edits · Apr 24, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates Colorado's accessible housing laws by replacing the outdated 'ground story level' definition with new categories based on the International Code Council (ICC) standards. It clarifies which housing types must be accessible and establishes a formal appeals process for enforcement decisions.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope by explicitly defining 'Type A', 'Type B', and 'Type C' units, replacing the single 'ground story' rule. It also clarifies that guest rooms in motels and hotels are excluded from these requirements.

DEFINITION

Removed the definition of 'ground story level' and replaced it with specific definitions for Type A, Type B, and Type C dwelling units based on ICC standards.

Added a new definition for 'Accessible Story' that clarifies basements do not count as accessible stories if the floor is more than four feet below ground level.

Renamed 'Residential Dwelling unit' to 'Residential Dwelling unit' (capitalization change) and clarified that guest rooms in motels or hotels are excluded from the definition.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a requirement for enforcing agencies to establish a board of appeals or other process to handle disputes regarding the application of these standards.

TECHNICAL

Corrected formatting inconsistencies in the standard references and removed redundant text regarding the bill's summary status.

Revised → Rerevised · 2 edits · Apr 21, 2026

MINOR

The bill was re-revised to include amendments adopted in the Second House, adding Titone to the House sponsorship list. A significant substantive change occurred in the definition of 'Type A multistory dwelling unit,' which now requires accessible laundry facilities on the ground story level if at least one accessible story can be reached via an accessible route connected to an accessible entrance.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding accessibility standards for multi-story dwellings was expanded to include a specific requirement for accessible laundry facilities on the ground floor under certain conditions.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Type A multistory dwelling unit' was updated to mandate accessible laundry facilities on the ground story level if an accessible story is accessible via an accessible route connected to an accessible entrance.

ELIGIBILITY

House sponsorship was updated to include Titone, reflecting a change in legislative support.

Reengrossed → Revised · 3 edits · Apr 15, 2026

MINOR

The bill was amended to include all amendments adopted on second reading in the second house, rather than just those adopted in the House of Introduction. The technical definition of the accessibility standard was updated to include 'ICC A117.1' alongside the original reference, and the definition of a 'Type A multistory dwelling unit' was modified to explicitly require that at least one accessible story be reachable via an accessible route connected to an accessible entrance.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on building code standards for accessible housing supported by public money, with no change to the entities or jurisdictions to which it applies.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of the 'ICC/ANSI A117.1' standard to explicitly include 'ICC A117.1' in the text.

Modified the definition of 'Type A multistory dwelling unit' to clarify that the unit must have at least one accessible story accessible via a route connected to an accessible entrance.

TIMELINE

Added a header indicating the version includes amendments adopted on second reading in the second house, dated April 15, 2026.

Engrossed → Reengrossed · 4 edits · Mar 11, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was reengrossed to include additional sponsors and updated the legislative status to reflect amendments adopted during the House of Introduction. The most significant substantive change is the replacement of a deleted definition for 'Type B multistory dwelling unit' with a new definition for 'Type B visitable ground floor'. This shifts the focus from a specific multi-story accessibility standard to a broader requirement for accessible entrances and space in multi-story units.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding accessibility definitions has changed by removing the specific 'Type B multistory dwelling unit' definition and adding the 'Type B visitable ground floor' definition, altering how multi-story units are classified for compliance.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'Type B visitable ground floor' requiring accessible entrances and at least 70 square feet of accessible space in multi-story units.

Removed the previous definition for 'Type B multistory dwelling unit', which had specific requirements for accessible laundry facilities and accessible routes.

SCOPE

Updated the list of Senate sponsors to include Amabile, Coleman, Gonzales J., Jodeh, Kipp, Wallace, and Weissman.

TIMELINE

Updated the bill status header from 'Engrossed' to 'Reengrossed' and added a date stamp of March 11, 2026.

Introduced → Engrossed · 4 edits · Mar 10, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was amended to update legal definitions to align with the latest International Code Council standards, specifically correcting section references and clarifying terminology for accessible housing. The changes ensure that terms like 'Type A' and 'Type B' units correctly reference the updated code sections (1103 and 1104) and remove outdated definitions such as 'ground story level' in favor of more precise modern standards. These updates are critical for ensuring that new construction and renovations comply with current accessibility requirements, preventing legal ambiguities for developers and enforcing agencies.

Scope change

The scope remains focused on accessible housing standards, but the applicability of specific definitions has been updated to reflect current building codes rather than previous editions.

DEFINITION

Updated references to ICC/ANSI A117.1 sections from 1002/1003 and 1003/1004 to 1002/1103 and 1003/1104 to match the latest code edition.

Deleted the standalone definition for 'ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCE' and 'Ground story level' as these concepts are now integrated into the broader 'ACCESSIBLE STORY' definition or removed entirely.

Renamed 'Type B visitable ground floor UNIT' to 'Type B visitable ground floor' to improve grammatical consistency and clarity.

TECHNICAL

Added a new definition for 'ACCESSIBLE STORY' that explicitly clarifies how basements are evaluated based on vertical distance from exterior grade.

Building Code Accessibility

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