Rep. Lisa Feret

The act requires the department of public health and environment (department), to the extent that funding is available as part of the department's green business network, to: Provide annual training that includes food waste prevention and reduction strategies; Develop a food waste reduction guidance document (document); Place the document on the department's public website; and Update the document at least annually. The act suggests means by which retail food establishments may donate or resell safe food. The act states that, on and after January 1, 2026, grocery stores are encouraged to: Clearly display the ingredients of items of prepared food; and Use "best if used or frozen by" dates rather than "sell by" dates upon prepared items of food. Current law provides civil and criminal immunity to a farmer, retail food establishment, correctional facility, school district, hospital, or processor, distributor, wholesaler, or retailer of food that donates items of food to a nonprofit organization for use or distribution in providing assistance to individuals in need. The act extends this immunity to apply to: Faith-based organizations that donate food; and Food donations to faith-based organizations and individuals. The act also clarifies that the immunity from liability applies regardless of whether the donated food is alleged to have caused illness or death. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

The act requires an insurer that issues or renews an automobile insurance policy to include in the applicable coverage the replacement cost of a child restraint system that is in a motor vehicle at the time of a motor vehicle accident and to which the coverage is applicable. The act requires the insurer to ask a claimant if a child restraint system was in the motor vehicle at the time of the accident and, if so, requires the applicable coverage to cover the cost of its replacement. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

The act encourages each local education provider to adopt a policy to reduce food waste in school cafeterias and food preparation facilities (policy). The policy may address food waste diversion and aversion initiatives, including composting, donation of excess food to local nonprofits, or share table programs that permit students to return whole food or beverage items for redistribution to other students. A local education provider that implements a policy shall comply with all applicable sanitation and health requirements, including protocols to prevent student exposure to allergens, and shall require school personnel to complete related safety training. Current law establishes the Colorado circular communities enterprise (enterprise) to award grants and other funding and to provide technical assistance to certain entities throughout the state that pursue a circular economy for waste management, including waste diversion and aversion. The act requires the enterprise to consider reducing food waste by incentivizing public schools to develop and implement effective composting, excess food donation, or share table programs. The act extends limited immunity from civil and criminal liability to school personnel and local education providers that supervise food and beverage redistribution in accordance with policies that include share tables. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Colorado statute states that a marriage is valid only if it is between one man and one woman. That provision has been unenforceable since the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges , 576 U.S. 644 (2015), in which the Court ruled that same-sex couples have a fundamental right to marry. The act repeals the provision.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Current law authorizes public hospitals with fewer than 50 beds to enter into collaborative agreements with other hospitals or hospital affiliates to engage in activities to increase access to health care. The act changes the law to allow public and private, nonprofit hospitals that are not owned by or affiliated with a health system that is comprised of 3 or more hospitals to enter into collaborative agreements. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Maddy summarySJR 25-008 designates March 3, 2025, as "Buy Colorado Day" (also called "303 Day") and March 3-10, 2025, as "Buy Colorado Week" to encourage Coloradans to support local businesses. The resolution urges residents to spend money at homegrown Colorado brands and enterprises, highlighting the state's diverse business community including restaurants, breweries, agricultural producers, and retailers. This symbolic measure has no legal force and serves as a recognition of Colorado's economic contributions, not a new policy or requirement. It directly affects all Coloradans by promoting a voluntary shift in consumer behavior toward local spending.

Maddy summarySJR 25-018 recognizes April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and designates April 30, 2025, as Colorado Denim Day. The resolution symbolically supports the annual Denim Day observance, which began in Colorado in 2013, to raise awareness about sexual violence and honor the work of organizations like the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA). It highlights ongoing challenges such as evidence kit backlogs and the need for survivor support services, without creating new laws or funding. This is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy change, aligning Colorado with the global Denim Day movement that uses wearing jeans to protest attitudes condoning sexual assault.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic resolution designates March 21 as "Single Parent Day in Colorado" to recognize single parents' efforts in raising children. It directly honors single parents across the state, referencing U.S. Census data showing over 10 million single-parent households nationwide. The resolution continues Colorado's recognition of the day, aligning with President Reagan's 1984 national declaration. It has no policy or funding provisions - it is purely a commemorative gesture without legal or financial impact.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 25-1003) recognizes the importance of diversity in Colorado's legal community and honors the Colorado Women's Bar Association (CWBA) for its work supporting women in the legal profession. It highlights key milestones in Colorado's legal history, including the first women to earn law degrees, become judges, and serve in legal leadership roles. The resolution commends the CWBA's efforts to promote women's advancement in the judiciary and ensure equal representation. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but formally acknowledges these contributions during Women's History Month.

The act merges 2 existing medicaid waiver programs for children into one children's home- and community-based services waiver program, known as the children with complex health needs waiver program. The act relocates provisions to the new program due to the repeal of the 2 existing waiver programs. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)