Rep. Cecelia Espenoza

Maddy summaryHB 1305 allows remote psychiatric inpatient facilities in Colorado to operate under a main hospital's general license instead of needing separate psychiatric hospital licensing, provided they meet specific criteria. These facilities must be located within 35 miles of a main hospital in a rural area, offer 17+ inpatient beds, meet all psychiatric hospital standards, and maintain federal provider-based status. The main hospital remains responsible for all licensing enforcement actions related to the remote location, and the facility must pay a separate licensing fee. This change aims to streamline operations while maintaining regulatory oversight through the main hospital's license.

The act amends the statutory requirements for the ballot information booklet (booklet) to conform with modern drafting practices and to remove antiquated and redundant language from the booklet's required text. The act also repeals obsolete provisions regarding transfers to and from the ballot information publication and distribution revolving fund in state fiscal year 2007-08 through state fiscal year 2010-11.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

The act enacts the 'Uniform Mortgage Modification Act', drafted by the Uniform Law Commission. The act provides that, in the event that a mortgage is modified:The mortgage continues to secure the obligation as modified;The modification does not affect the priority of the mortgage;A mortgage retains its priority regardless of whether a modification agreement is recorded; andThe modification is not a novation.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

The act clarifies that municipal court defendants have a right to counsel and that municipal defense counsel have the same notice requirements, case information, and opportunity to meet with their clients as do state-level defense counsel. Current law prohibits paying indigent municipal defense counsel on a fixed or flat-fee payment structure if the municipality prosecutes domestic violence cases. The act applies the prohibition to all municipalities and allows a flat fee arrangement if the flat fee is the same or higher than a resulting fee based on hourly compensation.     Current law requires municipal court proceedings to be open to public observation. The act requires virtual observation for all in-custody proceedings and prompt resolution of municipal cases.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Under current law, a political party must ensure that any person, upon request, is able to participate in a precinct caucus or a party assembly with the use of a video conferencing platform or alternative means of participation. The failure of any political party to make a reasonable effort to comply with these accessibility requirements constitutes discrimination on the basis of disability in a place of public accommodation.     The act clarifies that only a person who is otherwise eligible pursuant to statute to participate in a precinct caucus or a party assembly may request video conferencing or another alternative means of participation. The act also clarifies that a person who is subjected to a violation of a political party's duties regarding these accessibility requirements may file suit only against the central committee of the political party holding the caucus or assembly. An individual, including a member of the central committee of the political party or a volunteer for a political party, may not be held liable for a violation of these accessibility requirements. Upon a finding of a violation of these accessibility requirements, a court may require compliance with the applicable accessibility requirement and either actual monetary damages or a statutory fine of $3,500 for each violation.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Beginning July 1, 2027, the act requires municipal jails to comply with existing jail data collection requirements, standards, and oversight.     The act requires a keeper of a municipal jail to release a pregnant person charged with a violation of a municipal ordinance from custody if jail staff have a reasonable belief the person is in labor unless remaining in custody is necessary for the health or welfare of the person. If the pregnant person in labor is not released, the use of restraints is prohibited during the labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery, and the jail staff shall make a written record that the labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery occurred at the jail and record the reason the pregnant person was not released from custody.     The act requires council members of a city that has a city jail to examine the jail's management and sufficiency at least once a year and allows the attorney general to conduct assessments of municipal jails to identify gaps and deficiencies based on the jail standards.     The act adds a nonvoting member who represents a municipality to the jail standards advisory committee.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution formally recognizes the 43rd anniversary of the sister-state relationship between Colorado and Taiwan while expressing support for their ongoing trade and academic exchanges. The bill highlights recent cooperation in emerging technologies such as quantum computing and semiconductors, and it advocates for Taiwan's participation in international organizations like the World Health Organization and the United Nations. Additionally, the resolution commends Taiwan's democratic system and supports the signing of a U.S.-Taiwan agreement on avoiding double taxation. As a non-binding legislative statement, it does not alter laws or budgets but serves to publicly endorse these diplomatic and economic ties.

Maddy summarySJM 1 is a joint memorial resolution honoring Senator Faith Winter, who died in November 2025. It recognizes her career as a Colorado legislator representing Adams, Broomfield, and Weld Counties, her work on environmental justice, women's leadership initiatives, and legislative achievements like the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act. The resolution expresses the legislature's condolences to her family and commemorates her legacy of advocacy for climate action, healthcare access, and community-centered policies. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or affect any policies.

Colorado law exempts the owner of a motor vehicle who is a member of the United States armed forces (member) from motor vehicle registration fees and sets the specific ownership tax at $1 while the member is serving outside the United States. This applies to personal motor vehicles and intrastate trucks, truck tractors, trailers, and semitrailers used to transport property. To qualify, the member must show the military order or evidence acceptable to the department of revenue (department) demonstrating that the member served outside the United States. The act repeals a requirement that the member sign an affidavit to qualify for the $1 specific ownership fee or to be exempt from the motor vehicle fee.     Colorado law exempts members from paying late fees for failing to renew a registration for a vehicle if the member was serving outside the state when the registration period expired. The act sets the requirement to qualify for a late fee exception by requiring the member to show the military order or evidence acceptable to the department demonstrating that the member served outside of the state.     The department will notify the member that the vehicle or motor vehicle must not be driven during deployment.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Existing law allows voters to circulate a petition for a ballot question requiring a local government to engage in collective bargaining with the fire department for the local government and extend coverage of the 'Colorado Firefighter Safety Act' to firefighters employed by the local government (question). The question may be added to the ballot for any general election, as defined in the 'Colorado Firefighter Safety Act'. The act changes the definition of a general election for the purpose of determining when a question may be added to the ballot to include a coordinated election as defined in the 'Uniform Election Code of 1992'. The act also changes the definition of a general election to refer to a regular municipal election rather than a general municipal election to align the language with other municipal elections law.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)