The act modifies the Colorado agricultural future loan program (program) to permit certain eligible entities to receive funding from the program. An eligible entity is defined as an entity that is certified by the division of conservation (division) or an entity that:Is a district that has authority to conduct water activities, an irrigation district, or a ditch and reservoir company; andHas a letter of support from an entity certified by the division. The act directs the commissioner of agriculture to adopt rules that prioritize awarding loans to eligible entities that seek to acquire and conserve agriculturally productive land and to transfer ownership of that land to an eligible farmer or rancher who qualifies for a loan from the program.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Sponsored bills
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 Senate Resolution designates March 21 as "Single Parent Day in Colorado" to honor single parents who raise children alone due to divorce, death, or other circumstances. The measure directly affects single-parent households in the state, which include over 10 million households nationally and represent nearly a quarter of families with children under 18. The resolution contains no new laws or funding, serving instead as a symbolic gesture to recognize the dedication and challenges faced by single parents. It was signed by the Senate President and sent to Janice S. Moglen, a longtime Colorado advocate for Single Parent Day.
The bill is a referred measure that will, if approved by the voters of the state at the 2026 general election, increase the excise tax on liquor by:$0.0733 per gallon, or the same per unit volume tax applied to metric measure, on all malt liquors and hard cider;$0.08 per liter on all vinous liquors except hard cider; and$0.6026 per liter on all spirituous liquors.This excise tax must be collected on the respective beverages not otherwise exempt from the tax, sold, offered for sale, or used in the state. The bill, if approved by the voters of the state at the 2026 general election, would also increase the state retail marijuana sales and excise taxes each by 0.42 percentage points. The bill requires the treasurer to transfer an amount equal to the tax revenue raised as a result of the bill to the hospital support account that is created in the capital construction fund. The department of human services may expend money from the hospital support account in the following priority order:First, to fund the construction of the Colorado mental health institute at Aurora created in section 2 of the bill (institute);Second, to fund the operational expenses associated with the institute; andThird, to fund the operational expenses associated with long-term civil commitment facilities in Mesa County. Section 2 creates the institute, the construction, operation, and maintenance of which is funded by money in the hospital support account. The institute is a state institution for the treatment of persons with mental health, behavioral health, or substance use disorders. The institute operates under the control and supervision of the department of human services (department). The head of the administrative division overseeing the institute is permitted to appoint or employ necessary administrators, physicians, nurses, attendants, and other personnel required for the proper conduct of the institute. The administrative division head is permitted to contract with the board of regents of the University of Colorado health sciences center or other state-supported institutions of higher education to provide necessary medical services. Section 2 establishes criteria for access to inpatient civil beds at the institute.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
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.
The bill creates three enterprises (enterprises) in the behavioral health administration; the:Beer, cider, and apple wine impact and recovery enterprise;Spirits impact and recovery enterprise; andWine impact and recovery enterprise.The enterprises collect a fee from licensees that are manufacturers and wholesalers that distribute alcohol in Colorado, and use the fee for services described in the bill.The bill creates an alcohol impact and recovery enterprise board that governs the enterprises.The bill requires the state auditor to conduct an audit of the enterprise in the 2032-33 state fiscal year and each fourth state fiscal year thereafter.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
Maddy summaryThis bill approves specific updates to eligibility lists for two Colorado water funding programs. It adds new drinking water projects (like Delta County's distribution system) and modifies existing entries (such as adding "green infrastructure" to Loveland's project), while deleting completed projects (like Kiowa's). These changes determine which local water districts, municipalities, and property associations can access financial assistance from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund and Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund. The bill does not create new funding rules but formally adopts the Commission's proposed list adjustments.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution expresses Colorado's legislative support for maintaining national public lands under federal stewardship and opposes efforts that would reduce public access or weaken environmental review laws. The resolution specifically targets potential erosion of bedrock federal laws like NEPA and FLPMA, which require public input and balanced resource management. It calls on state and federal officials to defend statutory safeguards that ensure public lands serve broad public benefits rather than narrow special interests. This non-binding resolution does not change any laws but serves as a formal statement of legislative intent and values regarding public land management.
The 2025 general appropriations act is amended to balance and make adjustments to the total amount appropriated to the department of labor and employment. The general fund and reappropriated funds portions of the appropriation are decreased and the cash funds and federal funds portions are increased.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
The 2025 general appropriations act is amended to balance and make adjustments to the total amount appropriated to the department of local affairs. The general fund, cash funds, reappropriated funds, and federal funds portions of the appropriation are decreased.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)