Sen. Cleave Simpson

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes that Colorado lawmakers consider adding guaranteed lifetime income options to the state public employees' retirement defined contribution plan and voluntary savings plans. The measure aims to ensure public employees have access to a reliable income stream in retirement, similar to what is already available in the state's traditional defined benefit plan. By allowing workers to choose options that provide lifetime payouts, the bill seeks to improve retirement security and financial confidence for over 226,000 active public employees. The resolution encourages the General Assembly to study how these new options could help workers retire with dignity while maintaining the portability of their savings.

Current law requires certain entities to file a clean energy plan (plan) to achieve an 80% decrease of greenhouse gas emissions caused by the entity's electricity sales in Colorado by 2030 relative to 2005 levels. Other entities may voluntarily choose to file a plan.Under current law, no later than March 31, 2026, an entity required to submit a plan may inform the division of administration (division) in the department of public health and environment in writing of challenges the entity is encountering or expects to encounter in achieving the 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The bill clarifies that an entity that has voluntarily submitted a plan may also inform the division of challenges the entity is encountering or expects to encounter in achieving the 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The bill also extends the deadline by which an entity must inform the division of challenges from March 31, 2026, to May 31, 2026.A cooperative electric association (association) exempted from regulation by the public utilities commission or a municipal utility (utility) that informs the division of challenges the association or utility is encountering or expects to encounter has until December 31, 2026, to submit to the division an updated plan with the earliest year, not later than 2040, that the association or utility expects to be able to achieve the 80% decrease of greenhouse gas emissions, relative to 2005 levels, without impairing the association's or utility's ability to maintain applicable electric reliability standards and without increasing the association's or utility's average annual electric rates greater than 1.5%.The bill prohibits the air quality control commission and the division from undertaking any action that impairs the association's or utility's ability to maintain applicable electric reliability standards or that increases the association's or utility's average annual electric rates greater than 1.5%.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Under current law, consumers in Colorado have a right to repair all digital electronic equipment, which could include equipment that is considered critical infrastructure.     The bill exempts information technology equipment that is intended for use to be used in critical infrastructure from Colorado's consumer right to repair laws. Critical infrastructure is defined as a system or asset, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of the system or asset would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination of those matters.      The bill authorizes the attorney general to review an exemption from Colorado's consumer right to repair laws for certain information technology equipment (equipment) that is intended to be used in critical infrastructure. In reviewing whether the equipment is exempt, the attorney general shall consider whether the equipment is actually intended to be used in a manner that qualifies as critical infrastructure and whether the equipment is sold under a business-to-business or business-to-government contract and not customarily sold in a retail setting. Any determination made by the attorney general regarding an exemption may be appealed by the manufacturer of the equipment.(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution officially designates April 2026 as National Donate Life Month in Colorado. The measure serves to raise public awareness about organ, eye, and tissue donation and honors the individuals who contribute to transplant programs. Additionally, the Senate will send a copy of this resolution to the Donor Alliance to support their outreach efforts.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates April 2026 as Second Chance Month in Colorado to raise awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with criminal records. The measure highlights how legal restrictions and social barriers, known as collateral consequences, often prevent formerly incarcerated people from finding employment, accessing housing, and participating fully in society. By honoring the efforts of various community groups and government agencies, the resolution encourages citizens to support programs that help these individuals reintegrate and contribute to their communities. The bill does not change any laws or policies but serves as a symbolic gesture to promote public understanding and compassion for those seeking a fresh start. Copies of the resolution are sent to state and federal leaders, as well as relevant organizations, to further spread the message of redemption and second chances.

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.

The bill states that the Colorado prescription drug affordability review board has no authority to perform an affordability review of, or to establish an upper payment limit for, a prescription drug that is:Designated as a drug for a rare disease or condition by the food and drug administration (FDA) of the federal department of health and human services; orA licensed biological product that is derived from human whole blood or plasma as indicated on product labeling approved by the FDA.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

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.

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.)

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.