Sen. Byron Pelton

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.)

The act allows the state department of education (CDE) to issue a professional teacher license to a teacher with at least 3 years of successful teaching experience in another state or country for which CDE has granted reciprocity. The act eliminates the requirement that an applicant have the successful teaching experience within the previous 7 years.     The act creates a temporary licensing process for teachers from states that participate in the 'Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact' (Compact). The process requires that CDE:Issue an initial teacher license within 30 days of receiving a complete teacher license application from a person licensed by a Compact state when the applicant passes a criminal history record check and holds an unencumbered eligible license issued by a Compact state that is equivalent to an eligible license in Colorado; and Publish an annual table showing how out-of-state licenses correspond to Colorado endorsement areas.     The act repeals the temporary licensing process when CDE begins issuing licenses pursuant to the Compact.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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.)

The act increases the gross vehicle weight rating limit from less than 10,000 pounds to less than 16,000 pounds for a passenger vehicle for which the use of a child restraint system is required.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution recognizes Nowruz, the traditional Iranian New Year, as a celebration of renewal and hope for Middle Eastern communities in Colorado and around the world. The bill extends solidarity with the Iranian people and specifically honors the Women, Life, Freedom movement advocating for gender equality and civil rights in Iran. It also mourns civilians lost to violence and expresses hope for a future where all people in Iran can live with freedom, justice, and full protection of their human rights. This resolution does not change laws or policies but serves as a formal statement of recognition and support from the Colorado General Assembly.

The act expands eligibility for mortgage loans through the Colorado housing and finance authority to first responders. The act also defines the term 'first responder' to include peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians, and defines the term 'peace officer' to include a noncertified deputy sheriff, an emergency communications specialist, a corrections officer, a port of entry officer, or a wildlife officer.The act also sets an income limit for families made eligible for mortgage loans by the act.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific section of Interstate 25 in Denver County, stretching from Mile Marker 204.51 to 213.13, as the Governor Roy Romer Memorial Highway to honor his public service. The legislation authorizes the Colorado Department of Transportation to accept donations and place signs marking this stretch of road, while also allowing for cooperation with local authorities to maintain those signs. This measure directly affects the state's transportation department and the communities along the designated highway by creating a permanent tribute to former Governor Roy Romer.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially recognizes April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and designates April 29, 2026, as Colorado Denim Day. The resolution commemorates the global campaign where people wear jeans to protest victim-blaming attitudes toward sexual assault survivors. It also acknowledges the work of organizations like the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault in supporting survivors and addressing sexual violence. The measure is a symbolic gesture that does not change laws or allocate funding, but instead raises public awareness about the issue.

Maddy summaryThis House Joint Resolution formally asks the people of Colorado to remember the Holocaust and acknowledges specific survivors, including Fred Bryner, Samuel Weinberg, and Silvia Weinberg. It encourages schools and universities to promote antibias and bullying prevention programs to stop antisemitic incidents targeting Jewish students. The resolution also declares that citizens should understand the power of words and commit to preventing future atrocities, and it directs copies of the document to various local and national organizations focused on Holocaust education and remembrance.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific section of State Highway 92 in Delta County as the "Educators and Teachers Memorial Highway" to honor the contributions of local educators and teachers. The designated stretch runs from mile marker 3 to mile marker 7, passing through the unincorporated community of Read, Colorado, which historically housed the headquarters for Delta County Joint School District 50J. The resolution authorizes the Colorado Department of Transportation to accept donations and grants for installing commemorative signs along this highway segment. This measure serves as a symbolic recognition of the role schools and teachers play in the community without changing any laws or regulations.