Current law defines illicit massage businesses as businesses that engage in massage but also engage in human-trafficking-related offenses. The act expands the definition of 'illicit massage business' to include a massage business that engages in crimes other than human-trafficking-related offenses. Current law states that if a local government adopts a resolution or ordinance to establish business licensure requirements or to prohibit unlawful activities relating to illicit massage businesses, the resolution or ordinance must not be more restrictive than the requirements set forth in state law. The act removes this limitation. The act clarifies that a local government may adopt a resolution or ordinance for the purposes of deterring illicit massage businesses; preventing human trafficking; protecting legitimate massage therapy businesses; and safeguarding public health, safety, and welfare. The act also allows a local government to impose local licensing requirements in addition to those requirements prescribed in state law. Current law allows a local government to impose an administrative fee not to exceed $150 for issuing or renewing a license. The act removes the $150 cap on such fees. If a local government imposes an administrative fee, the amount of the fee must be reasonably related to the costs of the local government in administering the resolution or ordinance and the licensing of massage facilities. The fee must not exceed $500 unless necessary to cover the local government's costs of administering the resolution or ordinance and licensing the massage facilities in its jurisdiction. The fee may be adjusted yearly for inflation or deflation. Current law exempts businesses that held licenses before August 10, 2022, from the administrative fees. The act removes this exemption. The act allows a local government to establish additional grounds to deny, revoke, or suspend a license. The act provides that, if a local government establishes business licensure requirements for massage facilities, the resolution or ordinance adopted by the local government must prohibit ownership of massage facilities by the types of persons that are prohibited from ownership in current law. Current law states that preventing the operation of illicit massage businesses is a matter of statewide concern, and licensing and regulation of massage facilities is a matter of mixed statewide and local concern. The act states that preventing the operation of illicit massage businesses is a matter of mixed statewide and local concern. The act requires a local government that adopts a resolution or ordinance related to the local regulation of massage facilities on or after August 13, 2026, to consider the impacts of the resolution or ordinance on legitimate massage therapy businesses and conduct outreach to massage therapists and massage therapy businesses in the local government's jurisdiction and statewide organizations of massage therapists.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Sponsored bills
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.
In 2023, the general assembly established water and energy efficiency standards for irrigation controllers and spray sprinkler bodies that are sold or leased in the state on and after January 1, 2026. The act repeals these standards.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
The act requires the state board of veterinary medicine (board) to review and update the existing process by which an individual who has a license to practice veterinary medicine in another state may be licensed by endorsement to practice veterinary medicine in Colorado. The board shall adopt rules with the intent to expedite the licensure by endorsement process, including eliminating duplicative requirements and streamlining the pathway to licensure. The act clarifies that a veterinarian who administers, dispenses, distributes, or prescribes medicine to a patient in an emergency situation is not acting as a pharmacist or conducting the practice of pharmacy, and, as such, is not subject to discipline by the state board of pharmacy. The act relocates certain provisions specific to the practice of veterinary medicine from regulation by the state board of pharmacy to regulation under Colorado's veterinary practice act. Under current law, the board must approve a credentialing organization for the purpose of credentialing veterinary technicians, which credentialing organization must require the completion of an American Veterinary Medical Association accredited program for veterinary technicians. The act updates the requirement to require the completion of an accredited program for veterinary technicians offered by other associations. The act also establishes a veterinary prescription drug donation program. An owner of an animal may donate unused veterinary drugs that have been prescribed to the owner to a licensed veterinarian or an animal shelter. A licensed veterinarian may use any drugs accepted through donation if the veterinarian and drugs meet certain conditions.(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.)
Under current law, a parent can voluntarily relinquish their child to a firefighter or hospital or community clinic emergency center staff member if the child is less than 72 hours old. The act allows a parent to voluntarily relinquish their child if the child is 30 days old or younger and requires the department of human services to adopt rules establishing a process for either parent of child who was relinquished to reunify with the child.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 9, 2026, as "Home Education Day" in Colorado to honor parents who educate their children at home. It does not change any laws or affect how education is administered but serves as a symbolic recognition of home schooling within the state. The resolution highlights the number of home-educated students in Colorado and the estimated financial savings to taxpayers associated with this educational choice. Ultimately, the measure is a ceremonial gesture that celebrates home educators without altering existing policies or regulations.
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.
The concurrent resolution submits a constitutional amendment to the voters of the state at the 2026 general election that adds to the nonexclusive list of inalienable rights of all persons the right to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their children.(Note: This summary applies to this concurrent resolution as introduced.)
Under current law, the department of personnel and a statutorily created preservation trust committee oversee the Colorado veterans' monument preservation trust fund (trust fund). The act moves oversight of the trust fund to the state historical society (history Colorado) and repeals the preservation trust committee. The act also expands the allowable uses of the trust fund, which were previously restricted to maintaining and enhancing the Colorado veterans' monument and any fallen heroes memorials in Lincoln veterans' memorial park, to include the maintenance, enhancement, and repair of monuments and memorials both in Lincoln veterans' memorial park and on the state capitol building grounds. History Colorado may expend principal from the trust fund for these purposes once every 20 years beginning in state fiscal year 2027-28, subject to appropriation by the general assembly, and for unexpected necessary maintenance costs that are not covered by insurance. On or before December 31, 2026, and on or before each December 31 thereafter, history Colorado must submit a report to the state capitol building advisory committee (CBAC) that includes information on:History Colorado's plans to maintain, enhance, and repair monuments and memorials in Lincoln veterans' memorial park and on the state capitol building grounds; andThe actual and planned use of money in the trust fund. The act also requires the CBAC, before recommending a proposal for the placement of a memorial or an object of art on the state capitol building grounds to the capital development committee and the governor for approval, to ensure that the proposal includes funding sufficient to provide lifetime maintenance of the proposed memorial or object of art. Only a proposal that dedicates at least 5% of its total budget to maintenance includes funding sufficient to provide lifetime maintenance of the proposed object of art or memorial.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)