The 2026 Colorado legislative session adjourned on May 13. In this issue of Policy Perspective, we provide a summary of ADVOCACYDENVER’s 12 priority bills for this session. ADVOCACYDENVER strongly supported 11 of these bills and opposed one. We then show you how every member of the Colorado Legislature voted on these bills and provide them with a “grade” – the percentage of votes each member cast that were aligned with our position on these bills—and information on whether not Governor Polis has signed each bill into law.
ADVOCACYDENVER recognizes that none of the bills we supported is perfectly aligned with all our values and priorities. This is the nature of all legislation that is established through negotiation and compromise. Very often, we would have preferred to have additional funding dedicated to a particular piece of legislation, or expansion capacity for state agencies to carry out monitoring and enforcement included in a bill, etc. In particular, we would have preferred to avoid all cuts to Medicaid included in this year’s budget. Given Colorado’s fiscal realities, we understand that even legislators who led or supported these bills or introduced specific budget cuts likely would have preferred the same. That said, ADVOCACYDENVER believes that each of the bills we supported this year offers a meaningful change from the status quo and offers a path to continued improvement in future years.
We will close this Policy Perspective with recognition of legislators who showed strong support for the disability community through their leadership and their votes.
ADVOCACYDENVER’s Priority Bills for 2026
HB26-1040 Sterilization Rights of Person with Disabilities
Prior to the enactment of this bill, Colorado was one of only two states that allowed forced sterilization of people with disabilities. This legislation ended this practice except in cases where there is an imminent threat to the individual’s life and health.
Status: Passed and signed by Governor Polis.
HB26-1043 Transportation Network Company Discriminatory Practices
This bill strengthens accountability and reporting requirements for consumers’ complaints of discrimination when using transportation network companies, such as Uber and Lyft. The legislation requires companies to include on their apps a place where consumers can report complaints when they are denied a pickup by a driver. Companies then must provide monthly reports of these complaints to the state, with all personal information removed. The state may also fine companies if it is found that they discriminate against people with disabilities or fail to submit monthly reports.
Status: Passed and signed by Governor Polis.
HB26-1045 Disabilities Housing Protections
HB26-1045 puts protections into state law for renters who have service animals, including both assistance animals and emotional support animals. While such protections have previously existed at the federal level, this law permits the state to enforce these protections.
Status: Passed and signed by Governor Polis.
HB26-1096 Colorado Medicaid Access to Primary Care Services
This bill would have allowed primary care providers (PCPs) who accept Medicaid to charge Medicaid recipients cash fees for services rendered. The PCP would then only accept Medicaid payments as an ordering, prescribing, and referring provider. ADVOCACYDENVER opposed this bill.
Status: Passed by House but lost in Senate committee.
HB26-1141 Discriminatory Practices in Public Schools
HB26-1141 identifies public elementary and secondary schools and public institutions of higher education as places of public accommodation and bans discrimination in these accommodations for protected classes. Protected classes include disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, and parental status. Public institutions of higher education are required to establish grievance procedures and designate an individual to serve as a coordinator responsible for enforcing these procedures.
Status: Passed and signed by Governor Polis.
HB26-1147 Host Home for People with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
HB26-1147 requires the state to create a database containing information about host homes and their service agencies. The database must be made available and accessible by HCPF, the department of public health and environment, and service provider agencies. Information may only be shared with the public upon determination of HCPF and in ways consistent with state and federal privacy laws. The bill clarifies that host homes are residential settings and prohibits local governments from imposing additional regulations on host homes other than those in place for other residential properties.
Status: Passed and signed by Governor Polis.
HB26-1328 Medicaid Nonemergency Medical Transportation
This bill establishes a new oversight structure and procedures for nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) under Medicaid. Some changes to NEMT included in the bill include the establishment of a Transportation Community Advisory Board, requirements for verification of Medicaid member’s eligibility for NEMT services during scheduling, requirements for HCPF rulemaking, and a timeline for implementation.
Status: Passed and signed by Governor Polis.
HB26-1382 Support of Coloradans with Disabilities
HB26-1382 creates the Colorado Disability Funding Authority, which will assume the responsibilities of the current Colorado Disability Funding Committee. The Authority will award grants or contracts to entities that assist individuals with disabilities obtain or retain disability benefits or other innovative programs that improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities. The legislation also creates a statutory requirement that fees collected from the sale of license places in retired styles and unique vehicle registration numbers be dedicated for support of this authority.
Status: Passed and signed by Governor Polis.
HB26-1425 Applied Behavior Analysis Services
This bill creates the Colorado Behavior Analyst Licensing Board. The board is authorized to license behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts (registered behavior technicians). Beginning July 1, 2028, individuals who provide behavior analysis must be licensed. The bill also establishes a requirement for the licensure of applied behavior analysis clinics, to be overseen by the Department of Human Services.
Status: Passed and signed by Governor Polis.
SB26-023 School Finance Act
SB26-023 sets statewide base per pupil funding for the 2026-27 budget year at $8900.40, an increase of $208.60 from 2025-26. The bill also adjusts funding formulas to ensure that districts do not receive less funding this year than they did last year; that require rulemaking for determination of the district of residents for a child with a disability for circumstances not described under law; and that provide additional funding for students with disabilities in out-of-home placements.
Status: Passed and signed by Governor Polis.
SB26-125 Disability Rights Protections in Public Schools
SB26-125 puts federal laws relating to disability rights protections into state law. Specifically, the bill incorporates Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act, and the American with Disabilities Act. In doing so, the bill requires mediation efforts at the local level prior to enforcement by the State Department of Education. Should a school district intentionally violate the provisions of the bill and demonstrate an unwillingness to enter corrective action, the State Board of Education may withhold state funds from the district.
Status: Passed and signed by Governor Polis.
SB26-149 Pathways for Individuals with Mental Health Disorder
This bill creates new pathway for some individuals with mental health disorders who commit certain violent crimes. Overall, individuals who are not competent to stand trial and who are charged with a Victim’s Right Act crime, unlawful sexual conduct or indecent exposure, can be placed for involuntary treatment outside the criminal system or in an enhanced protective placement.
Status: Passed and signed by Governor Polis.
ADVOCACYDENVER 2026 Legislative Report Card
* Bill sponsor
— Excused or absent for this vote
Special Recognitions
ADVOCACYDENVER wishes to recognize these legislators for their notable support of the disability community during the 2026 legislative session.
Members of the Joint Budget Committee
- Representative Emily Sirota (D – Arapahoe & Denver), Chair
- Senator Jeff Bridges (D – Arapahoe, Denver, & Jefferson), Vice Chair
- Senator Judy Amabile (D – Boulder)
- Representative Kyle Brown (D – Boulder & Broomfield)
- Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer (R – Larimer & Weld)
- Representative Rick Taggart (R – Mesa)
Starting late last fall, the members of the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) began to craft a budget for the state that addresses a significant shortfall in funds available to spend—close to $1.5 billion. The budget initially proposed by the governor made severe cuts to Medicaid that disproportionately impacted those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Throughout their interactions, we observed that all members of the JBC were keenly aware of the need to “do as little harm as possible” and to pursue accountability for Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), the state agency that oversees Medicaid. ADVOCACYDENVER does not wholly agree with the resulting budget, which still disproportionately impacts children and adults with intellectually and developmental disabilities. The damage was less severe than it could have been, however, thanks to the persistence, collaboration, and concern of these six legislators.
Lead Bill Sponsors
- Senator Judy Amabile (D – Boulder)
- Representative Jennifer Bacon (D – Denver)
- Representative Andrew Bosenecker (D – Larimer)
- Senator Jeff Bridges (D – Arapahoe, Denver, & Jefferson)
- Representative Kyle Brown (D – Boulder & Broomfield)
- Representative Chad Clifford (D – Arapahoe)
- Senator Lisa Cutter (D – Jefferson)
- Representative Meg Froelich (D – Arapahoe & Denver)
- Senator Cathy Kipp (D – Larimer)
- Senator Chris Kolker (D – Arapahoe & Jefferson)
- Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer (R – Larimer & Weld)
- Representative Meghan Lukens (D – Eagle, Moffat, Rio Blanco, & Routt)
- Senator Janice Marchman (D – Boulder & Larimer)
- Senator Kyle Mullica (D – Adams)
- Representative Amy Paschal (D – El Paso & Teller)
- Representative Jacque Phillips (D – Adams)
- Representative Gretchen Rydin (D – Arapahoe & Jefferson)
- Representative Emily Sirota (D – Arapahoe & Denver)
- Representative Rebekah Stewart (D – Jefferson)
- Representative Ty Winter (R – Baca, Bent, Crowley, Huerfano, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero, Prowers, & Pueblo)
- Representative Yara Zokaie (D – Larimer)
These 21 legislators served as the lead sponsors of the 11 priority bills we supported. Lead sponsorship of a bill means much more than placing your name on a piece of legislation. It’s hard work to sponsor a bill! ADVOCACYDENVER wishes to thank these legislators for putting in the effort and dedicating much time on the floor and behind the scenes to build awareness and support for issues that are important for our community.
Bipartisan Sponsors of SB26-149
- Senator Judy Amabile (D – Boulder)
- Senator Cleave Simpson (R – Alamosa, Archuleta, Conejos, Costilla, Dolores, La Plata, Mineral, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, Rio Grande, Saguache, San Juan, & San Miguel)
- Representative Jarvis Caldwell (R – El Paso)
- Representative Julie McCluskie (D – Chaffee, Grand, Jackson, Lake, Park, & Summit)
These four legislators worked in a bipartisan manner to address a sensitive concern in our criminal justice system. They worked together to ensure that mentally ill and disabled individuals who are a significant threat to others receive the treatment they need. In doing so, they also protected victims from further harm and trauma. Ultimately, both houses of the Colorado General Assembly voted unanimously in support of this legislation—a testament to the effort these bill sponsors did to build support and consensus on this issue.
Policy Perspective is a publication of ADVOCACYDENVER. If you have any questions, please contact Paul Baumann, Policy Outreach Specialist, at pbaumann@advocacydenver.org or 303.974.2535.