Rep. Michael Carter

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Joint Resolution that formally recognizes Latino/a Advocacy Day in Colorado, an annual event celebrating two decades of Latino/a community engagement in state policy-making. The resolution honors the contributions of Latinas and Latinos to Colorado's political history and acknowledges participants who travel to the state capitol to advocate for equitable treatment of Latino/a communities. It directs copies of the resolution to the organizations that convene the event, the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights and Voces Unidas de las Montanas. The measure does not create new laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of the Latino/a community's role in Colorado's democracy.

The bill amends the "Colorado Local Government Election Code" (local code) and the "Colorado Municipal Election Code of 1965" to add authorization for special districts and municipalities to use electronic ballot return in elections under the local code. Electronic ballot return allows a voter to return a marked ballot to the designated election official or clerk using a qualified electronic transmission system. A qualified electronic transmission system must:Provide for secure identification and authentication;Transmit encrypted information over a secure network;Protect the privacy, anonymity, and integrity of each elector's ballot;Protect against abuse; andProvide any additional security or other measures identified as necessary in the rules of the secretary of state.The designated election official or clerk is responsible for ensuring electronic ballot returns are anonymously transcribed to paper ballots, counted, and secured pursuant to the law for all ballots. Any electronic data generated by an elector using the electronic transmission system is confidential. The secretary of state is required to publish guidance and may also adopt rules as necessary to further specify the qualifications for an electronic transmission system used for electronic ballot return.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

The act repeals the existing requirement that a paper certificate of title be used for specific vehicle transactions, thereby allowing the use of a certificate of title in an electronic format in all circumstances. Any party to a vehicle transaction may request either a paper or electronic version of a certificate of title.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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.)

The bill enacts the softbound volumes of the Colorado Revised Statutes 2025, the subsequent changes approved by the voters at the statewide election on November 4, 2025, and the 2025 Colorado First Extraordinary Session Supplement as the positive and statutory law of the state of Colorado and establishes the effective date of said publication.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

The executive committee of the legislative council (executive committee) is authorized to adopt policies regarding the ability of members of the general assembly to remotely participate in interim committee meetings and in legislative proceedings during a disaster emergency. The act expands the executive committee's authority to adopt policies to allow remote participation in meetings of any joint committees comprised of members from both chambers that are held at any time of the year.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Maddy summaryThis House Memorial honors the life and service of former Colorado Representative Carl Miller, who passed away in August 2025. The document formally recognizes his contributions to Colorado through his work in local government, the mining industry, and public service, including his role in establishing the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum. It extends condolences to Miller's family and pays tribute to his dedication to his community and state during his career as a state representative and public utility commissioner.

The act requires a subject jurisdiction to, on or after December 31, 2027, subject to an administrative approval process, allow the construction of a residential development on a qualifying property that does not contain an exempt parcel; except that, if on December 31, 2027, a subject jurisdiction is actively in the process of updating the subject jurisdiction's zoning or development code to comply with the act, the subject jurisdiction is required to complete the updates and allow the construction of a residential development on a qualifying property that does not contain an exempt parcel by June 30, 2028. A qualifying property is real property that contains no more than 5 acres of land and is owned by:A school district;A state college or university;A board of cooperative services;A housing authority;A local or regional transit district or a regional transportation authority serving one or more counties;A nonprofit organization with a demonstrated history of providing affordable housing; orA nonprofit organization that has entered into an agreement with another nonprofit organization with a demonstrated history of providing affordable housing, provided that the agreement requires the nonprofit organization with a demonstrated history of providing affordable housing to develop a residential development on the property.     If a subject jurisdiction requests, as part of an initial development application, that a nonprofit organization with a demonstrated history of providing affordable housing provide documentation that the nonprofit meets required criteria, the nonprofit organization shall provide the documentation. A subject jurisdiction is not required to allow a residential development on a qualifying property if the subject jurisdiction implements a transferable development rights program on the qualifying property and if the transferable development rights program includes a policy for affordable resident housing that is restricted in ownership and occupancy in perpetuity.     A subject jurisdiction shall not:Disallow construction of a residential development on a qualifying property on the basis of height if the tallest structure in the residential development is no more than 3 stories or 38 feet tall, except in certain circumstances;Disallow construction of a residential development on a qualifying property on the basis of height if the tallest structure in the residential development complies with the height requirements of the zoning district in which the residential development will be built or the height requirements that apply to any parcel zoned to allow for residential development that is contiguous to the qualifying property on which the residential development will be built;Disallow construction of a residential development on a qualifying property based on the number of dwelling units the residential development will contain, except in accordance with standards listed in the act; orApply site design standards to a residential development on a qualifying property that are more restrictive than the site design standards the subject jurisdiction applies to similar housing constructed within the subject jurisdiction, including standards related to structure setbacks from property lines; lot coverage or open space; on-site parking requirements; numbers of bedrooms in a multifamily residential development; on-site landscaping, screening, and buffering requirements; solar access; minimum dwelling units per acre; or other objective setback standards that apply to residential dwellings, including setbacks from oil and gas facilities, oil and gas operations, stream corridors, riparian areas, wetlands, and sensitive wildlife habitats.     Provided that the uses are allowed conditionally or by right within the zoning district in which a qualifying property is located, a subject jurisdiction shall allow the following uses in a residential development on a qualifying property:Child care; andThe provision of recreational, social, or educational services provided by community organizations for use by the residents of the residential development and the surrounding community.     On or before December 31, 2027, the department of local affairs is required to publish guidance to assist subject jurisdictions in verifying the status of a nonprofit organization with a demonstrated history of providing affordable housing.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Maddy summaryThis bill reappoints Kerri L. Hunter as Colorado's State Auditor for a five-year term from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2031. The reappointment follows a unanimous recommendation from the Legislative Audit Committee, which reviews candidates for the position based on qualifications and experience. Under Colorado law, the General Assembly appoints the State Auditor, and this resolution formally approves Hunter's continued service after her initial term ended in 2026. The measure directly affects the State Auditor's office by extending its leadership while maintaining the existing appointment process.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 8, 2026, as International Women's Day in Colorado and acknowledges the historical and ongoing contributions of women to society. It recognizes women's achievements across various fields, including politics, business, and social movements, while highlighting Colorado's early history of women's suffrage and female leadership in state government. The resolution encourages continued celebration of this day and commits the legislature to supporting policies that promote gender equality and women's empowerment.