Rep. Chad Clifford

Current law establishes the youthful offender system (system) in the department of corrections (department) as a sentencing option that provides a continuum of services. The act:Updates references to the juveniles and young adults who are eligible for or participating in the system;Revises certain legislative intent provisions to emphasize lasting behavioral changes in preparation for reentry, trauma-informed care, addressing criminogenic risk, accountability, healthy relationship building, and system participant and staff safety;Expresses the general assembly's intent that juveniles and young adults with physical, intellectual, mental, or behavioral health disabilities or conditions receive equitable treatment in sentencing to the system and reasonable accommodations once in the system;Adds certain data related to system completion rates to an existing annual reporting requirement for the department;Adds requirements for evidence-informed rehabilitative treatment and life skills programming and for individual therapy, family therapy, or substance use disorder treatment;Establishes requirements for system participant evaluations, plans for addressing participants' needs and skills, and case manager duties;Requires the department, in consultation with relevant experts, to make and publish on its website recommendations for integrating a trauma-informed standard of care with current system practices to promote the health and safety of system participants; andExpands certain procedural protections for system participants with mental or behavioral health conditions or intellectual and developmental disabilities.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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.)

Under current law, a person may be arrested and detained for level 1 drug misdemeanor possession.     The act requires that when a colorimetric field drug test was used to test for the presence of a controlled substance and a person is solely suspected of a level 1 drug misdemeanor for possession or solely suspected of a municipal drug possession charge, a peace officer shall not arrest the person and instead shall issue a summons.     The act also requires that when a colorimetric field drug test was used, before accepting a plea from a person charged with a drug possession for level 4 drug felony possession and lower, the trial court is required to issue an advisement with specified language, including language stating that colorimetric field drug tests have known error rates and that the defendant has the right to enter a not guilty plea and to request drug testing from an accredited forensic laboratory.(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 allows a board of county commissioners and the governing body of a municipality to sell and dispose of property owned by the county or municipality, as applicable, to provide for affordable housing and allows a municipality to enter into a long-term rental or lease agreement for the development of affordable housing.     The act allows for the approval of a mutijurisdictional housing authority at a biennial local election instead of only during a general election or an election held on the first Tuesday in November of an odd-numbered year. The ballot question about establishing the authority may be combined with a question about a tax, impact fee, multiple-fiscal year debt, or other financial obligation.     The act allows a board of county commissioners to use ad valorem tax revenue for housing authorities, housing programs, and workforce housing.     The act entitles an entity subject to income tax to which a middle-income housing tax credit is transferred by a governmental entity or quasi-governmental entity to claim the credit without owning an interest in a qualified project.     The sale and use of construction materials by contractors is exempt from taxation if the materials are used by the state in its governmental capacity only. The act provides that 'governmental capacity' includes the construction of workforce housing projects undertaken by counties.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Previously, money in the diseased livestock indemnity fund could be used only to pay indemnity to a livestock owner whose herd had been sold for slaughter or destroyed because the herd was exposed to or diagnosed with an infectious or contagious disease. The act expands the permissible uses of the money in the diseased livestock indemnity fund by allowing the commissioner of agriculture to authorize using the money to prepare for and respond to certain emerging threats to livestock health.     The act renames the fund the 'livestock health preparedness, response, and diseased livestock indemnity fund' to reflect the expanded scope of the permissible uses of money in the fund.(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.