2025 Climate / Energy / Environmental Legislation

Final Bill Status Report for Session
ending May 7, 2025

Passed Bills

• HB25-1006 | School District Solar Garden Lease Term | Concerning allowing a school district to lease district property for any term of years.
• HB25-1040 | Adding Nuclear Energy as a Clean Energy Resource| Concerning the inclusion of nuclear energy as a source of clean energy. | OPPOSE
• HB25-1059 | Food Waste Reduction in Public Schools | Concerning reducing food waste in schools. 
• HB25-1096 | Automated Permits for Clean Energy Technology | Concerning automated permitting for residential clean energy technology projects, and, in connection therewith, requiring large municipalities to implement an automated residential solar permitting platform.
• HB25-1113 | Limit Turf in New Residential Development | Concerning limiting the use of certain landscaping practices in new (multi-unit) residential development.
• ⭐️ HB25-1161 | Labeling Gas-Fueled Stoves | Concerning requiring the labeling of gas-fueled stoves.
• HB25-1165 | Geologic Storage Enterprise & Geothermal Resources | Concerning the management of underground CCUS and Geothermal energy resources.
• HB25-1166 | Efforts to Reduce Food Waste | Concerning reducing food waste.
• HB25-1175 | Smart Meter Opt-In Program | Concerning the establishment of an opt-in program for smart meters installed by a qualifying retail utility. (Now a residential communications bill) | OPPOSE 
• HB25-1177 | Utility Economic Development Rate Tariff Adjustments | Concerning adjustments to the economic development rate tariff. | OPPOSE
• HB25-1197 | Sale of Electrical Assisted Bicycles Requirements | Concerning requirements related to electrical assisted bicycles offered for sale in the state.
• HB25-1234 | Utility Consumer Protection | Concerning consumer protection for utility customers.
• HB25-1245 | Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Improvement Projects in Schools | Concerning HVAC infrastructure improvement projects in schools. | SUPPORT
• HB25-1267 | Support for Statewide Energy Strategies | Concerning modifying the electric vehicle grant fund within the Colorado energy office and regulating retail EV charging.
• HB25-1269 | Building Decarbonization Measures | Concerning building decarbonization measures, and, in connection therewith, creating a building decarbonization enterprise.
• HB25-1280 | Advanced Leak Detection Technology Rules | Concerning advanced leak detection for pipelines
• HB25-1281 | Title Register & Drive Kei Vehicles | Concerning Kei vehicles.
• HB25-1292 | Transmission Lines in State Highway Rights-of-Way | Concerning the process to allow a transmission developer to locate high voltage transmission lines within a state highway right-of-way.
• ⭐️ SB25-005 | Worker Protection Collective Bargaining | Concerning the elimination of the requirement for a second election to negotiate a union security clause in the collective bargaining process. | SUPPORT
• SB25-015 | Wildfire Information & Resource Center Website | Concerning updating the wildfire information and resource center website.
• SB25-026 | Adjusting Certain Tax Expenditures | Concerning the extending home batteries tax credits to 2029 and electric lawn equipment to 2030.
• SB25-030 | Increase Transportation Mode Choice Reduce Emissions | Concerning measures to increase transportation mode choice to reduce emissions.
• SB25-037 | Coal Transition Grants | Concerning assistance for communities experiencing energy transition.
• SB25-039 | Agricultural Buildings Exempt from Energy Use Requirements | Concerning exemptions from energy use reporting requirements for owners of certain buildings. | OPPOSE
• SB25-055 | Youth Involvement in Environmental Justice | Concerning measures to involve youth in environmental justice. | SUPPORT 
• SB25-161 | Transit Reform | Concerning transit reform to emphasize ridership growth, worker retention, safety, and statewide climate goals.
• SB25-163 | Battery Stewardship Programs | Concerning the establishment of battery stewardship programs for the disposal of certain batteries. | SUPPORT
• SB25-181 | Sunset Just Transition Advisory Committee | Concerning the continuation of the just transition advisory committee, and, in connection therewith, implementing the recommendation contained in the 2024 sunset report by the department of regulatory agencies.
• SB25-182 | Embodied Carbon Reduction | Concerning encouraging the reduction of embodied carbon.
• SB25-306 | Performance Audits of Certain State Agencies | Concerning required performance audits of APCD (Air Pollution Control Division) and division of unemployment insurance.

Failed Bills

• HB25-1042 | Air Quality Control Regulation Workforce Impact | Concerning the establishment of a workforce advisory council to consider air quality control rules that impact workforce issues in affected industries. | OPPOSE | Passed Hearing gutted by a strike below to make it only a report (reducing the fiscal note), onto Approps
• HB25-1051 | Repeal Recycled Paper Carryout Bag Fee | Concerning repealing the requirement that retail establishments charge a fee for providing recycled paper carryout bags.
• HB25-1064 | Prohibition on Cultivated Meat | Concerning a prohibition on cultivated meat.
• HB25-1099 | Water Quality Data Standards | Concerning standards for the determination of a total maximum daily load for state waters. |
• HB25-1106 |Remove Precipitation Collection Limitations | Concerning removing limitations on residential rooftop precipitation collection.
• HB25-1107 | Rule Adoption & Review Requirements | Concerning requiring an analysis of the cost burden of rules
• ⭐️ HB25-1119 | Require Disclosures of Climate Emissions | Concerning requiring certain entities to disclose Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 GHG emissions. 
• HB25-1126 | Public Utilities Commission Membership Geographic Representation | Concerning an increase in the diversity of interests represented in proceedings before the public utilities commission, and, in connection therewith, increasing the number of commissioners and establishing geographic regions from which certain commissioners are appointed. | OPPOSE
• HB25-1170 | Lobbying by Nonprofit Entities | Concerning lobbying on behalf of a charitable tax-exempt nonprofit entity.
• HB25-1241 | Public Accessibility of Emissions Records | Concerning requiring public accessibility of stationary source emissions records.
• HB25-1260 | Electrical Generation & Distribution Resiliency | Concerning the resiliency of the systems that provide electricity in relation to geomagnetic storms.
• ⭐️ HB25-1277 | Increasing Transparency Impact of Fuel Products | Concerning measures to increase transparency regarding the impact of the consumption of certain fuel products. | SUPPORT
• HB25-1286 | Protecting Workers from Extreme Temperatures | Concerning protecting workers from exposure to extreme temperatures. 
• SB25-117 | Reduce Transportation Costs Imposed by Government | Concerning the reduction of CORPORATE transportation costs, and, in connection therewith, repealing a bunch of critically important regulations and programs.
• SB25-120 | Nuclear Workforce Development & Education Program | Concerning promoting workforce development opportunities in Colorado’s nuclear sector at the School of Mines.  | Passed Senate onto House Approps
• SB25-127 | Optimizing Colorado Electric Transmission System | Concerning measures to optimize Colorado’s electric transmission system.
• SB25-139 | Grocery & Utility Bill Reduction Measures | Concerning measures to reduce household costs in the state, and, in connection therewith, authorizing the use of nuclear energy as a clean energy resource and repealing certain charges associated with groceries or utilities. | OPPOSE
• SB25-141 | Municipal Government Exemption from Energy Code Requirements | Concerning an exemption for certain municipalities from the requirement to adopt an energy code for residential buildings. | OPPOSE
• SB25-156 | Reducing Costs of State Regulation | Concerning reducing the costs of regulation in Colorado. | OPPOSE
• SB25-280 | Data Center Development and Grid Modernization Act | Concerning benefits to facilitate data center development while supporting electric grid infrastructure, and, in connection therewith, creating the “Colorado Data Center Development and Grid Modernization Act”. | OPPOSE 

Week 16 Ending April 25
1 New Bill

SB25-306 | Performance Audits of Certain State Agencies | Concerning required performance audits of certain state agencies, and, in connection therewith, requiring the state auditor to conduct or cause to be conducted performance audits of the air pollution control division and the division of unemployment insurance. | Sponsors: Sens Rodriguez/Kirkmeyer, Reps Lindstedt/Taggart | Summary: The bill requires the state auditor to conduct or cause to be conducted performance audits (audits) of the air pollution control division in the department of public health and environment and the division of labor standards and statistics in the department of labor and employment (divisions). The audits will determine whether each of the divisions effectively and efficiently performs and fulfills its statutory obligations. The initial audit of the air pollution control division must begin in calendar year 2026, with an additional audit occurring in calendar year 2031, and more frequently in the state auditor’s discretion. The initial audit of the division of labor standards and statistics must begin in calendar year 2027, with an additional audit occurring in calendar year 2032, and more frequently in the state auditor’s discretion. The state auditor, in their discretion, may conduct additional audits of the divisions after the first 2 audits have been completed. Upon completion of an audit, the state auditor is required to submit a written report about the audit to the legislative audit committee. | OPPOSE | The Chamber’s third attempt to ram a DOGE bill down the throats of the areas abused the most by businesses in Colorado, in an attempt to reduce their obligations to protect public health and the environment, and to properly compensate their employees.

Week 15 ending April 18
620 bills introduced

2 New Bills

HB25-1332 | State Trust Lands Conservation & Recreation Work Group | Concerning the creation of a work group to study the uses of state trust lands. | Sponsors: Rep McCormick, Sens Roberts/Wallace | Summary: The state land board is responsible for the management and protection of the state trust lands, including by protecting and enhancing the natural features, open space, and wildlife habitat of the state trust lands. This bill will convene a state trust lands conservation and recreation work group to study opportunities to advance conservation and recreation activities on state trust lands as part of the state board’s long-term stewardship of the state trust lands while maintaining the state board’s fiduciary responsibilities regarding its management of the state trust lands. This is our chance to try to rebalance our state lands toward renewables and away from fracking.

SB25-299 | Consumer Protection Residential Energy Systems | Concerning measures to increase consumer protection in certain residential clean energy system transactions. | Sponsors: Sen Wallace, Reps Brown/Soper (bi-partisan) | Summary: The bill requires a solar sales company to provide to a consumer certain disclosures when entering into an agreement with the consumer for the purchase or lease of a system, a power purchase agreement for a system, or a community solar garden subscription (agreement). The bill also specifies the terms that an agreement must contain, including payment terms and contact information for the solar sales company. Includes 3 day cancel clause and welcome call, and provides certain warranties for the installation and workmanship of a residential solar electric system. Lastly, the bill requires an investor-owned utility that offers financial incentives for a system to provide certain information about the offered incentives to customers.

Week 14 ending April 11
620 bills introduced

No New Bills

Week 13 ending April 4
604 bills introduced

1 New Bill 

SB25-280 | Data Center Development and Grid Modernization Act | Concerning benefits to facilitate data center development while supporting electric grid infrastructure, and, in connection therewith, creating the “Colorado Data Center Development and Grid Modernization Act”. | Sponsors: Sens Hinrichsen/Lundeen, Reps Brown/Valdez (bi-partisan) | Summary: The bill creates the data center development and grid modernization program (program) in the Colorado office of economic development (OEDIT). The program allows tax and utility benefits to a data center operator at one of 2 levels: over $250M in capital investment or over $10M in grid enhancements and create 25 jobs that pay the county rate + 10% and build within 5 years. In return they get a 20-yr sales and use tax exemption plus if paying for grid upgrades then qualify for 10% tax credit + extra 5% if rural. Requires only 50% of energy be clean/renewable and includes nuclear/green hydrogen/coalbed methane as qualifying. Must be EITHER Energy Star, LEED Silver, Green Globes (no number specified), or ISO50001/14001 and must “optimize” water management with brownie points for using retired coal-plant or recycled water. OEDIT is required to approve within 60 days unless the applicants are liars or scumbags. Must have magically coordinated with the PUC, utility and Energy Office in that time period. No new staff! Data centers have to provide a cheerleading letter from the local gov, approval from the utility (including munis but not co-ops). Required to include a community benefit agreement (like STEM or apprenticeships or open space). Even though it can only be 50% “clean” it must support GHG reduction and Clean Energy Plan goals. Because magic.

Week 13 ending April 4
704 bills introduced

1 New Bill 

SB25-280 | Data Center Development and Grid Modernization Act | Concerning benefits to facilitate data center development while supporting electric grid infrastructure, and, in connection therewith, creating the “Colorado Data Center Development and Grid Modernization Act”. | Sponsors: Sens Hinrichsen/Lundeen, Reps Brown/Valdez (bi-partisan) | Summary: The bill creates the data center development and grid modernization program (program) in the Colorado office of economic development (OEDIT). The program allows tax and utility benefits to a data center operator at one of 2 levels: over $250M in capital investment or over $10M in grid enhancements and create 25 jobs that pay the county rate + 10% and build within 5 years. In return they get a 20-yr sales and use tax exemption plus if paying for grid upgrades then qualify for 10% tax credit + extra 5% if rural. Requires only 50% of energy be clean/renewable and includes nuclear/green hydrogen/coalbed methane as qualifying. Must be EITHER Energy Star, LEED Silver, Green Globes (no number specified), or ISO50001/14001 and must “optimize” water management with brownie points for using retired coal-plant or recycled water. OEIDT is required to approve within 60 days unless the applicants are liars or scumbags. Must have magically coordinated with the PUC, utility and Energy Office in that time period. No new staff! Data centers have to provide a cheerleading letter from the local gov, approval from the utility (including munis but not co-ops). Required to include a community benefit agreement (like STEM or apprenticeships or open space). Even though it can only be 50% “clean” it must support GHG reduction and Clean Energy Plan goals. Because magic.

Week 12 ending March 28
517 bills introduced

No New Bills 

Week 11 ending March 21
511 bills introduced

3 new bills 

SB25-202 | Repeal Climate Change Markets Grant Program | Concerning the repeal of an obsolete provision that required the department of public health and environment to award grants by July 2007. | Sponsors: Sens Exum/Rich, Reps Bradley/Espenoza | Summary: (totality of the bill) Repeals an obsolete provision that awarded grants in state fiscal year 2006-07; and required a report also due in 2007.

SB25-203 | Department of Public Health and Environment Funds Usage Public Water Systems Grant Contracts | Concerning clarifying the CDPHE’s (CO Department of Public Health and Environment) authority to use appropriated money for project grants concerning public water system projects for small communities. | Sponsors: Sens Exum/Catlin, Reps Bradley/Carter | Summary: (totality of the bill) The bill clarifies that, under current law, the department of public health and environment may use up to 10% of appropriated money to administer and manage project grants concerning public water systems and wastewater treatment works in small (5K people) communities.

SB25-204 | Revision to Local Government Utility Relocation Statute | Concerning the relocation of a definition in House Bill 24-1266 related to utility company betterment during local government utility relocation. | Sponsors: Sens Catlin/Ball, Reps Carter/Luck (Bi-Partisan) | Summary: (totality of the bill) The bill modifies the placement of the definition of “utility company betterment”concerning local government utility relocation arrangements to clarify its applicability to the entire statutory section.

Week 10 ending March 14
502 bills introduced

No new bills 

Week 9 ending March 7
497 bills introduced

1 new bill

Click on the bill number to access more details

HB25-1292 | Transmission Lines in State Highway Rights-of-Way | Concerning the process to allow a transmission developer to locate high voltage transmission lines within a state highway right-of-way. | Sponsors: Rep Boesenecker | Summary: The bill allows a transmission developer to locate high voltage transmission lines within a state highway right-of-way, according to a process developed by rule by the department of transportation (department). In assessing potential sites for the placement of high voltage lines, a transmission developer is required to consider development sites in the following order of priority: First, existing utility corridors; second, state highway rights-of-way; and last, new utility corridors. | Hearing House Trans (I’m supposed to add a ‘p’ here but am feeling pugnacious so I won’t!) 3/25 1:30pWeek 8 ending February 28
477 bills introduced
3 new bills

Click on the bill number to access more details

HB25-1286 | Protecting Workers from Extreme Temperatures | Concerning protecting workers from exposure to extreme temperatures. | Sponsors: Reps Velasco/Froelich, Sens Weissman/Cutter | Summary: The bill requires employers to implement protections for workers who are exposed to extreme hot and cold temperatures at the worksite, including temperature mitigation measures, rest breaks, and temperature-related injury and illness prevention plans.

SB25-181 | Sunset Just Transition Advisory Committee | Concerning the continuation of the just transition advisory committee, and, in connection therewith, implementing the recommendation contained in the 2024 sunset report by the department of regulatory agencies. | Sponsors: Sens Roberts/Winter, Reps Lieder/Lukens | Summary: The bill implements the recommendation of the department of regulatory agencies (DORA) in its report on the just transition advisory committee to continue the advisory committee. The advisory committee is scheduled to repeal on September 1, 2025, but the bill continues the advisory committee indefinitely.

SB25-182 | Embodied Carbon Reduction | Concerning encouraging the reduction of embodied carbon. | Sponsors: Sen Ball, Rep Brown | Summary: Embodied carbon is the carbon associated with GHGs arising from the production, construction, use, and end-of-life of products or systems used in the construction of buildings, roads, and other infrastructure. An embodied carbon improvement is a real property installation or modification that is completed in a manner that generates relatively less embodied carbon. The bill adds embodied carbon improvements to the list of new energy improvements that are eligible for property-assessed clean energy financing provided by the Colorado new energy improvement district. Also modifies the industrial clean energy tax credit so that embodied carbon improvements are GHG emissions reduction improvements.Week 8 ending March 7
497 bills introduced

Week 8
478 bills introduced
1 new bill

Click on the bill number to access more details

HB25-1292 | Transmission Lines in State Highway Rights-of-Way | Concerning the process to allow a transmission developer to locate high voltage transmission lines within a state highway right-of-way. | Sponsors: Rep Boesenecker | Summary: The bill allows a transmission developer to locate high voltage transmission lines within a state highway right-of-way, according to a process developed by rule by the department of transportation (department). In assessing potential sites for the placement of high voltage lines, a transmission developer is required to consider development sites in the following order of priority: First, existing utility corridors; second, state highway rights-of-way; and last, new utility corridors. | Hearing House Trans (I’m supposed to add a ‘p’ here but am feeling pugnacious so I won’t!) 3/25 1:30p

Week 7 ending February 21
458 bills introduced
7 new bills

⭐️ = CCLC Championed Bill
Click on the bill number to access more details

HB25-1260 | Electrical Generation & Distribution Resiliency | Concerning the resiliency of the systems that provide electricity in relation to geomagnetic storms. | Sponsors: Rep DeGraaf, Sen Pelton R | Summary: The bill requires the PUC to evaluate the grid and protect it from geomagnetic storms. Requires the PUC to develop rules that do a whole bunch of really expensive things to the grid which will drive up the price we all pay for utilities in the event a once in a million year solar flare takes the grid out.

HB25-1267 | Support for Statewide Energy Strategies | Concerning support for statewide energy strategies, and, in connection therewith, modifying the electric vehicle grant fund within the Colorado energy office and regulating retail electric vehicle charging. | Sponsors: Reps Paschal/McCormick, Sens Winter/Amabile | Summary: The bill requires the director of the division of oil and public safety in the department of labor and employment to adopt rules concerning retail EV charging by July 1, 2026, and to enforce the rules beginning July 1, 2027. The bill also broadens the allowable uses of money in the electric vehicle grant fund.

🚨HB25-1268 | Utility On-Bill Repayment Program Financing | Concerning the financing of a utility on-bill repayment program for certain energy-related improvements. | Sponsors:  Reps Joseph/Froelich, Sens Mullica/Winter | Summary: The bill requires the Colorado energy office to establish a state utility on-bill repayment program to help finance energy efficiency measures, electrification measures, and energy upgrades installed at utility customers’ premises. They’ll be paid for through the savings on their monthly utility bill. The bill requires gas or electric investor-owned utilities that serve more than 500,000 customers to propose a plan to the PUC and uses up to $40M/year (up to a total of $100M) from the unclaimed property trust fund to the state utility on-bill repayment program cash fund. The office is required to pay back the loan by July 1, 2045. This is our third attempt to make the benefits of decarbonization available to people who otherwise may not be able to afford to make the upgrades to their homes. | SUPPORT

🚨HB25-1269 | Building Decarbonization Measures | Concerning building decarbonization measures, and, in connection therewith, creating a building decarbonization enterprise. | Sponsors: Reps Willford/Valdez, Sens Ball/Kipp | Summary: The bill updates energy use benchmarking and performance standard requirements for owners of certain buildings including a new requirement to meet 2040 performance standards,; Authorizes an alternative compliance mechanism for large (>50K sq ft) building owners to comply with certain performance standards; and moves the penalties for noncompliance to the CDPHE to be imposed like any other polluter. Creates an enterprise to help building owners pay for the upgrades, and allows utility on-bill repayment programs. This ‘fixes’ the earlier large buildings bill because we got a little over our skis and set unrealistic targets that resulted in a lawsuit. So 2026 is now voluntary, extended to 2030, with a new more expansive decarbonization goal for 2040. We’ve got to do this, painful as it is. | SUPPORT

⭐️🚨 HB25-1277 | Increasing Transparency Impact of Fuel Products | Concerning measures to increase transparency regarding the impact of the consumption of certain fuel products. | Sponsors: Reps Bacon/Joseph, Sen Cutter | Summary: The bill prohibits a retailer from selling or displaying for sale gasoline/diesel/propane fuel products to consumers unless the retailer labels the products with the phrase, “Combustion of this product releases greenhouse gases known by the state of Colorado to be linked to global heating and significant health impacts.” This is a step toward ensuring the public is reminded they’re using products that cause climate change, and forces the industry to admit it. | SUPPORT

HB25-1280 | Advanced Leak Detection Technology Rules | Concerning advanced leak detection for pipelines, and, in connection therewith, directing the public utilities commission (PUC) to adopt rules regarding the implementation of advanced leak detection technologies by a certain date. | Sponsors: Reps Story/Smith | Summary: In 2021, Senate Bill 21-108 was enacted, requiring the public utilities commission (commission) to adopt rules related to gas pipeline safety, including rules related to advanced leak detection technology. (Which they didn’t do.) The bill requires the commission to adopt the rules regarding advanced leak detection technology on or before November 1, 2025. (Critically important for future pipelines as well, so we need to ensure they comply with the PHMSA carbon pipeline regulations while they’re at it.)

🚨HB25-1281 | Title Register & Drive Kei Vehicles | Concerning kei vehicles. | Sponsors: Reps Linstedt/Suckla, Sens Hinrichsen/Pelton B | A kei vehicle is the smallest road-legal, 4-wheeled vehicle in Japan and is imported into the United States as a used vehicle. (Super fuel efficient and  there are EVs) Defining these tiny trucks as motor vehicles allows for issuing a certificate of title, registering a motor vehicle, and the rules of the road for motor vehicles. The bill requires a kei vehicle to be issued a certificate of title, be registered, and obey motor vehicle traffic laws, but you’re not allowed to drive on a roadway that has a speed limit greater than 55 miles per hour.

Week 6 ending February 14
424 bills introduced
9 new bills

Click on the bill number to access more details

HB25-1175 | Smart Meter Opt-In Program | Concerning the establishment of an opt-in program for smart meters installed by a qualifying retail utility. |  Sponsors: Rep Lieder | Summary: Changes the utility mandate to a customer mandate to install a smart meter. Allows customers to request removal of a smart-meter. Requires the utility to comply within 90 days. | OPPOSE

HB25-1177 | Utility Economic Development Rate Tariff Adjustments | Concerning adjustments to the economic development rate tariff. | Sponsors: Rep Mauro, Sens Hinrichsen/Pelton B (bipartisan) | Summary: Extends the giveaway of our grid investments to greedy corporations from 10 years to 25 years and allows even greedier (up to 40MW) energy consumers to receive the giveaways. Requires PUC to bend over and take it within 120 days. | OPPOSE

HB25-1197 | Sale of Electrical Assisted Bicycles Requirements | Concerning requirements related to electrical assisted bicycles offered for sale in the state. | Sponsors: Rep Smith, Sen Amabile | Summary: Requires that a seller of an electrical assisted bicycle make certain disclosures to the purchaser regarding the characteristics of the e-bike; that they be labeled with features of the e-bike; that sellers provide about safety information; prohibits fraud or misleading sales tactics.

HB25-1234 | Utility Consumer Protection | Concerning consumer protection for utility customers. | Sponsors: Reps Ricks/Joseph, Sen Winter | Summary: Requires utilities to protect the personal data of its customers. The utility is prohibited from disclosing, selling, or reselling a customer’s personal data to the gov unless required or to a 3rd party; prohibits disconnection due to nonpayment during extreme weather or postpone if medical emergency (inc non-IOUs); Requires year round use of energy assistance.

HB25-1241 | Public Accessibility of Emissions Records | Concerning requiring public accessibility of stationary source emissions records. | Sponsors: Reps Marshall/Garcia, Sens Cutter/Kipp | Summary: The bill requires an owner or operator or a building, structure, facility, or installation that emits or may emit an air pollutant to post proof of pollution compliance on their website, and for CDPHE to provide a ink to it. (Last year the AG sued the EPA to prevent this from happening, claiming the public already knew enough.)

HB25-1245 | Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Improvement Projects in Schools | Concerning HVAC infrastructure improvement projects in schools. | The bill requires a school (any type) to satisfy certain requirements concerning installation, inspection, and maintenance of HVAC systems if the school uses federal plus state funding and requires certified contractors via the CDLE using money from the BIL and local ‘experts’ to help with grand apps and public-public partnerships to help public schools improve air quality in schools, student performance, and staff retention. | SUPPORT

SB25-127 | Optimizing Colorado Electric Transmission System | Concerning measures to optimize Colorado’s electric transmission system. | Summary: Authorizes CETA to conduct a study every 3 years a statewide transmission plan delivered to the PUC/legislature. Requires the authority to consider hardware or software technologies that increase the capacity, efficiency, reliability, or resiliency of an existing or new transmission facility. Makes CETA a statewide transmission coordinator. Requires electric utilities to: Include in the electric resource plan a transmission plan that identifies certain transmission resources and projects; Incorporate in the electric resource plan an evaluation of advanced transmission technologies or submit to the commission an explanation of why advanced transmission technologies are not included in the electric resource plan; and Provide model inputs and assumptions and other system information or methodology consultation necessary to support the authority in acting as a statewide transmission coordinator. | SUPPORT

SB25-161 | Transit Reform | Concerning transit reform, and, in connection therewith, creating study, planning, and reporting requirements; increasing coordination among transit agencies, government, and planning organizations; authorizing the regional transportation district to enter into service partnership agreements; creating a regional transportation district accountability committee; adding nonvoting members to the regional transportation district board of directors; and requiring the regional transportation district to emphasize ridership growth, worker retention, safety, and statewide climate goals.

SB25-163 | Battery Stewardship Programs | Concerning the establishment of battery stewardship programs for the disposal of certain batteries. | Summary: Creates producer responsibility for batteries (YAY!) Requires a plan for collection, transportation, processing, and recycling of certain batteries by 08/01/26 at no cost to the buyer. | SUPPORT

WEEK 5 ending February 7, 2025
332 bills introduced

11 New Bills This Week

⭐️= CCLC Legislation Committee Championed

Click on the bill number to access more details

HB25-1126 | Public Utilities Commission Membership Geographic Representation | Concerning an increase in the diversity of interests represented in proceedings before the public utilities commission, and, in connection therewith, increasing the number of commissioners and establishing geographic regions from which certain commissioners are appointed. | Sponsors: Reps Martinez/Winter, Sen Pelton B (bipartisan) | Summary: The bill increases the membership of the public utilities commission from 3 to 5, with 2 of the commissioners representing the state at large and 3 representing one district each. The 3 districts are defined to include named counties, with one consisting of the Denver metro area, one of the western region of the state, and one of the eastern region of the state. (Because our very effective PUC must be balkanized into ‘regions’ were utilities they regulate don’t even operate! Go figure.) | OPPOSE

⭐️ HB25-1161 | Labeling Gas-Fueled Stoves | Concerning requiring the labeling of gas-fueled stoves. | Sponsors: Rep Valdez | Summary: The bill requires a wholesaler or supplier of a gas-fueled stove/oven/cooktop to, prior to selling a stove to a consumer in the state, affix an adhesive label to the stove with the phrase “This appliance should be ventilated to the exterior when in use.” | SUPPORT

HB25-1165 | Geologic Storage (CCUS) Enterprise & Geothermal Resources | Concerning the management of underground energy resources. | Sponsors: Reps Paschal/Soper, Sens Simpson/Kipp (bipartisan) | Summary: The bill creates the geologic storage stewardship enterprise (enterprise) in the DNR for the purpose of: Funding the long-term stewardship of geologic storage facilities in the state; Funding the plugging, abandoning, reclaiming, and remediating of orphaned geologic storage facilities in the state; and Ensuring that costs associated with long-term stewardship of geologic storage facilities are borne by geologic storage operators in the form of stewardship fees. Upon the commission’s approval of a site closure: Ownership of the injection carbon dioxide transfers to the state without payment of additional compensation; Except in specified circumstances, the geologic storage operator is released from all regulatory liability associated with the continued storage of the injection carbon dioxide and the long-term stewardship of the associated geologic storage facility; and

The bill makes several updates to laws concerning the administration of underground geothermal resources, including: Clarifying that “nontributary groundwater” does not include “designated groundwater”, as these terms are defined in current law; Exempting certain geothermal operations from needing a well permit from the state engineer; Establishing that the authority to regulate shallow geothermal operations is shared by the state engineer and the state board of examiners; Regulating ground heat exchanger contractors in the same manner that currently exists for water well construction contractors and pump installation contractors.

HB25-1166 | Efforts to Reduce Food Waste | Concerning reducing food waste. | Sponsors: Reps Feret/Weinberg, Sens Kipp/Cutter (bipartisan) | Summary: The bill requires the CDPHE to the extent that funding is available as part of the department’s green business network, to: Provide annual training that includes food waste prevention and reduction strategies; Develop a food waste reduction guidance document (document) and post on the website; The bill suggests means by which retail food establishments may donate or resell safe food. The bill states that, on and after January 1, 2026, grocery stores are encouraged to: Clearly display the ingredients of items of prepared food; and Use “best if used or frozen by” dates rather than “sell by” dates upon prepared items of food. Extends immunity to Faith-based organizations that donate food; and Food donations to faith-based organizations and individuals.

The bill also clarifies that the immunity from liability applies regardless of whether the donated food is alleged to have caused illness or death.

HB25-1170 | Lobbying by Nonprofit Entities | Concerning lobbying on behalf of a charitable tax-exempt nonprofit entity. | Sponsors: Reps Hamrick/Boesenecker, Sen Winter | Summary: The bill creates a new category of lobbyist for nonprofit lobbyists and exempts nonprofit lobbyists from the registration and disclosure statement requirements for professional lobbyists. A nonprofit lobbyist is a lobbyist who is exclusively employed by a single nonprofit entity and who lobbies as an incidental part of the lobbyist’s duties with the nonprofit entity. A nonprofit entity may use a nonprofit lobbyist to lobby a maximum of 30 days during a state fiscal year, with a maximum of 20 of those days occurring when the general assembly is in session. A nonprofit entity that employs a nonprofit lobbyist must report to the secretary of state

SB25-117 | Reduce Transportation Costs Imposed by Government | Concerning the reduction of transportation costs, and, in connection therewith, repealing certain government fees imposed on gasoline and certain special fuel, passenger rides booked through transportation network companies, short-term motor vehicle rentals, and waste tires and requiring the nonattainment area air pollution mitigation enterprise to establish a reformulated gasoline cost stabilization rebate program. | Sponsors: Sen Bright | Summary:  the bill repeals the following fees, effective July 1, 2025: The road usage fee; The fee imposed by the state on short-term motor vehicle rentals; The passenger per-ride fees imposed on car share rides by the state, the clean fleet enterprise, and the nonattainment area air pollution mitigation enterprise; and The waste tire enterprise fee imposed on the purchase of new motor vehicle and trailer tires by the waste tire management enterprise. Because this fee is the only source of revenue for the waste tire management enterprise, the bill also repeal the enterprise. The bill also requires the nonattainment area air pollution mitigation enterprise, no later than January 1, 2026, to establish a reformulated gasoline cost stabilization program to offer reformulated gasoline cost stabilization rebates to individuals who own motor vehicles that are registered in counties in which the federal government requires all gasoline sold to be reformulated gasoline.

SB25-120 | Nuclear Workforce Development & Education Program | Concerning promoting workforce development opportunities in Colorado’s nuclear sector. | The bill creates the Colorado nuclear workforce development and education program (program) in the department of higher education (department) to help meet growing workforce demand in the nuclear energy sector. The bill establishes a related grant program to provide grants to institutions of higher education for the development or expansion of nuclear engineering degree or certificate programs or course offerings. The Colorado nuclear workforce development and education council shall advise and assist the department regarding the grant program’s implementation and evaluation.Hearing Senate Ed 02/26

SB25-137 | Greenhouse Gas Credits for Water Quality Projects | Concerning greenhouse gas credit trading program eligibility for water quality green infrastructure projects that create greenhouse gas credits. | Sponsors: Sen Simpson | Summary: The bill authorizes the owner or operator of a water quality green infrastructure project (project) to sell or trade any greenhouse gas credits (GHG credit) created by the project in the GHG credit trading program established by the AQCC by rule. The owner or operator that is conducting a project shall pay an independent third-party auditor to certify the GHG credits created by the project in order to sell or transfer those GHG credits in the trading program. CDPHE shall monitor the sale and transfer of the GHG credits created from a project in the trading program and permit owners and operators of facilities that are regulated by the AQCC and the division and participating in the trading program to purchase the GHG credits in order to reach certain greenhouse gas compliance targets.

SB25-139 | Grocery & Utility Bill Reduction Measures | Concerning measures to reduce household costs in the state, and, in connection therewith, authorizing the use of nuclear energy as a clean energy resource and repealing certain charges associated with groceries or utilities. | Sponsors: Sen Baisley | Summary: Sections 1 through 3 of the bill include nuclear energy in the definitions of “clean energy” and “clean energy resource”. (Sorry you only get one bite at this apple.) Sections 4 and 5 repeal the Colorado circular communities enterprise and user fees (in the future we’ll just build houses on garbage dumps) created in House Bill 24-1449, enacted in 2024, to replace the front range waste diversion enterprise and user fees (even bigger landfills) created in Senate Bill 19-192, enacted in 2019. Section 6 repeals the 10-cent paper carryout bag fee (again with the apple!) created in House Bill 21-1162, enacted in 2021. Section 7 repeals the confinement standards for egg-laying hens (sorry, free range eggs aren’t responsible for bird flu prices) whose eggs are sold in Colorado, which standards were created in House Bill 20-1343, enacted in 2020. Section 8 repeals the authorization for counties and municipalities to collect special sales taxes on nicotine products (smoke smoke smoke until you smoke yourself to death), which authorization was created in House Bill 19-1033, enacted in 2019. Section 9 repeals the energy assistance system benefit charge (freeze in the dark poor people!) created in House Bill 21-1105, enacted in 2021. Section 10 repeals the retail delivery fee (sheesh the entire apple!!) created in Senate Bill 21-260.  | OPPOSE

SB25-141 | Municipal Government Exemption from Energy Code Requirements | Concerning an exemption for certain municipalities from the requirement to adopt an energy code for residential buildings. | Sponsors: Sen Pelton R, Rep Winter | Summary: Under current law, every governing body of a municipality that has adopted and enforced a building code after July 1, 2023, is required to adopt and begin enforcing an energy code for residential buildings. The bill creates an exemption for municipalities with a population of less than 2,500 residents from having to adopt and enforce an energy code for residential buildings. | OPPOSE

SB25-156 | Reducing Costs of State Regulation | Concerning reducing the costs of regulation in Colorado. | Sponsors: Senators Rich/Keltie | Summary: Sections 1 and 2 of the bill prohibit a state agency from imposing a personal qualification requirement (so, can’t stipulate journeyman electrician or college degree) in order to engage in a profession or occupation unless the agency can show that the requirement is demonstrably necessary and narrowly tailored to address a specific, legitimate public health, safety, or welfare objective. On or before July 1, 2026, every agency must review occupational regulations and determine whether the regulation should be repealed or amended. Any person may file a petition with an agency requesting that an occupational regulation be repealed or amended (because we all want unlicensed home remodelers). Regardless of whether a petition is filed with an agency, any person may file a civil suit requesting that the court enjoin the adoption or enforcement of an occupational regulation. Section 3 repeals the industrial and manufacturing operations clean air grant program, (cough cough)the cannabis resource optimization cash fund, the community access to electric bicycles grant program, and the electrifying school buses grant program, which were enacted in 2022 by Senate Bill 22-193. Section 4 repeals the energy code board and its associated model codes, an energy code training grant program, the building electrification for public buildings grant program, the high-efficiency electric heating and appliances grant program, and the clean air building investments fund, which were enacted in 2022 by House Bill 22-1362. Section 5 repeals the air quality enterprise, which was enacted in 2020 by Senate Bill 20-204. Section 6 repeals the environmental response surcharge, the perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances cash fund, the perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances grant program, the perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances take-back program, and certain civil penalties for violations of certain air quality control regulations, which were enacted in 2020 by Senate Bill 20-218. Section 7 repeals certain requirements, including requirements regarding fenceline monitoring and community-based monitoring of air toxics, for covered facilities, which requirements were enacted in 2021 by House Bill 21-1189.  *****THIS BILL IS EVIL***** | OPPOSE

Week 4 bills
ending January 31, 2025
247 bills introduced

7 New Bills This Week

Click on the bill number to access more details

HB25-1096 | Automated Permits for Clean Energy Technology | Concerning automated permitting for residential clean energy technology projects, and, in connection therewith, requiring large municipalities to implement an automated residential solar permitting platform. | Sponsors: Reps Smith/Brown, Sen Ball | Summary: The bill requires counties/municipalities of more than 5,000 residents to adopt an automated residential solar permitting platform. The state electrical board is also required to implement a platform.

HB25-1099 | Water Quality Data Standards | Concerning standards for the determination of a total maximum daily load for state waters. Sponsors: Reps Mauro/Taggart, Sen Hinrichsen (bipartisan). | Summary: The bill requires the water quality control commission, on or before January 1, 2027, to issue written guidance specific to the development of the daily maximum amount of a pollutant from all sources that is allowed to enter state waters so that an applicable water quality standard is met.

HB25-1106 | Remove Precipitation Collection Limitations | Concerning removing limitations on residential rooftop precipitation collection. | Sponsors: Rep Suckle | Summary: Current law authorizes the collection of rooftop precipitation from a single-family residence or a multifamily residence with 4 or fewer units (small residence). The bill removes the 100-gallon limitation on the amount of rooftop precipitation that may be collected from a small residence and removes all limitations on how the collected precipitation may be used. The bill allows for collection of any amount of precipitation for any use (inc drinking water) on the property of a small (4 units or less) residence.

HB25-1107 | Rule Adoption & Review Requirements | Concerning a principal department’s rules, and, in connection therewith, modifying the mandatory review of rules and requiring an analysis of the cost burden of rules. | Sponsors: Rep Gonzales | Summary: The annual bill to end regulations deemed not cost-effective (because public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife, not to mention the planet has a benefit amount of $0). Modifies the existing process by agencies adopt and annually review their rules by making the following changes: do an expo-facto CBA (cost-benefit anal); no exceptions; emphasize cost burden (what?); vote on it; report on it. (Most pollution regulations already require cost-benefit analyses to be included in the Statement of Basis and Purpose)

HB25-1113 | Limit Turf in New Residential Development | Concerning limiting the use of certain landscaping practices in new (multi-unit) residential development. | Sponsors: Rep McCormick, Sen Roberts | Summary: This bill expands the definition of “applicable property” to include residential real property that is used for apartment or condominium housing (applicable residential real property). The bill also requires each local entity to enact regulations by 1/1/28 for new re/development projects and to limit the installation of turf for all residential real property that is not applicable residential real property.

HB25-1119 | Require Disclosures of Climate Emissions | Concerning requiring certain entities to disclose Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 GHG emissions. | Sponsors: Rep Rutinel | Summary: The bill requires each business in CO with total revenues exceeding $1 billion/year to publicly disclose its total greenhouse gas emissions during the preceding calendar year. For scope 1 (generated directly, including fuel) and scope 2 (generated from electricity usage) emissions, the reporting requirements begin 1/1/28. For scope 3 emissions (generated by the end user and everything related to delivery of the product or service to the end user aka lifecycle), the initial reporting requirements begin 1/1/29. Updated annually thereafter, and verified by an independent third-party auditor. A DA or the AG may bring a civil action against a reporting entity for failing to comply with the disclosure requirements in an amount not to exceed $100,000/day of noncompliance.  

HB25-1144 | Repeal Retail Delivery Fees | Concerning the repeal of retail delivery fees. | Sponsors: Rep Woog | Summary: Removes all fees paid by retail delivery services (but not rideshares so Uber pays but Amazon doesn’t!) including State; Community access enterprise; Clean fleet enterprise; Statewide bridge and tunnel enterprise; Clean transit enterprise; and Nonattainment area air pollution mitigation enterprise.  

Week 3 bills
ending January 24, 2025

0 New Bills this week

Week 2 bills
ending January 17, 2025
140 bills introduced

1 New Bill

⭐️= CCLC Legislation Committee Championed
Click on the bill number to access more details

SB25-055 | Youth Involvement in Environmental Justice | Concerning measures to involve youth in environmental justice. | Sponsors: Sens Winter/Marchman | The bill replaces one voting member of the EJ advisory board to the AQCC with a youth voting member who is between 14 and 21 years of age and adds one youth nonvoting member to the advisory board  (bringing the total to 13 from 12). Also requires the Energy Office to post on its website best practices for the adoption and financing of clean energy resources in schools by 12/31/25.

Week 1 bills
ending January 10, 2025
136 bills introduced

HB25-1006 | School District Solar Garden Lease Term | Concerning allowing a school district to lease district property for any term of years. | Sponsors: Reps Lukens/Hartsook, Sen Bridges (Bipartisan) | SUMMARY: Current law limits to 10 years the length a school district can lease district property not needed for its purposes. The bill allows a school district to lease district property for any term of years for purposes of a solar field or affordable housing.

HB25-1040 | Adding Nuclear Energy as a Clean Energy Resource| Concerning the inclusion of nuclear energy as a source of clean energy. | Sponsors: Reps Valdez/Winter, Sens Roberts/Liston (Bipartisan) | SUMMARY: The statutory definition of “clean energy” determines which energy projects are eligible for clean energy project financing at the county and city and county level. The statutory definition of “clean energy resource” determines which energy resources may be used by a qualifying retail utility to meet the 2050 clean energy target. The bill updates the 2 statutory definitions to include nuclear energy; except that for property valuations made for tax purposes, the bill exempts from the definition of “clean energy resource” nuclear energy generated by a public utility. CCLC POSITION: OPPOSE

HB25-1042 | Air Quality Control Regulation Workforce Impact | Concerning the establishment of a workforce advisory council to consider air quality control rules that impact workforce issues in affected industries. | Sponsors: Rep Bird, Sen Daugherty | SUMMARY: Adds another layer between the legislative intent of an air quality bill and the oversight agency tasked with implementing in when it comes to air quality—but ONLY when it comes to air quality—by forming a advisory council to make recommendations to the AQCC on rulemakings for regulations. Might result in adding a ‘workforce advocate’ to the AQCC (Air Quality Control Commission). CCLC POSITION: OPPOSE

HB25-1051 | Repeal Recycled Paper Carryout Bag Fee | Concerning repealing the requirement that retail establishments charge a fee for providing recycled paper carryout bags. | Sponsors: Reps Pugliese/Gonzales, Sen B Pelton | Summary: Under current law, retail establishments are prohibited from providing plastic carryout bags at the point of sale, but may provide recycled paper carryout bags for a fee of at least 10 cents per bag. The bill repeals the requirement that retail establishments charge a fee for providing recycled paper carryout bags.

HB25-1059 | Food Waste Reduction in Public Schools | Concerning reducing food waste in schools. | Sponsors: Reps Weinberg/Rich, Sen Marchman (Bipartisan) | Summary: The bill encourages each local education provider to adopt a policy to reduce food waste in school cafeterias and food preparation facilities (policy). The policy may address food waste diversion and aversion initiatives, including composting and share tables that permit students to return whole food or beverage items for redistribution to other students or donation to local nonprofits.

HB25-1064 | Prohibition on Cultivated Meat | Concerning a prohibition on cultivated meat. | Sponsors: Rep Winter, Sen R Pelton | Summary: The bill prohibits a person from selling, offering for sale, manufacturing, or distributing cultivated meat (prohibition), which is defined as a food product produced from animal cells that are grown in a laboratory setting in a controlled environment. The bill also allows the department of public health and environment or a county or district public health agency to suspend or revoke the license of a retail food establishment that violates the prohibition. Eat Fake Cheese not Fake Meat!

⭐️ SB25-005 | Worker Protection Collective Bargaining | Concerning the elimination of the requirement for a second election to negotiate a union security clause in the collective bargaining process. | Sponsors: Sens Rodriquez/Danielson, Reps Mabrey/Bacon | Summary:  The bill eliminates the requirement for a second election to negotiate a union security agreement clause in the collective bargaining process. CCLC POSITION: SUPPORT

SB25-015 | Wildfire Information & Resource Center Website | Concerning updating the wildfire information and resource center website. | Sponsors: Sens Cutter/Marchman, Reps Velasco/Mauro | Summary: The division of fire prevention and control is currently required to host the wildfire information and resource center website and to provide information regarding active wildfires on the website. The bill requires the website to include hyperlinks to websites that display emergency information and wildfire updates for each county in Colorado and requires the division to coordinate with county governments in order to provide the hyperlinks.

SB25-026 | Adjusting Certain Tax Expenditures | Concerning the adjustment of certain tax expenditures. | Sponsors: Sen Mullica, Reps Marshall/Joseph |Summary: A catch all tax change bill with important clean energy provisions: Currently, for income tax years commencing before January 1, 2025, a purchaser who installs an energy storage system in a residential dwelling may claim an income tax credit in an amount equal to 10% of the purchase price paid by the purchaser for the energy storage system. 2025 now extended to 2030. Also extends tax credit on electric lawn equipment to 2029.

SB25-030 | Increase Transportation Mode Choice Reduce Emissions | Concerning measures to increase transportation mode choice to reduce emissions. | Sponsors: Sens Winter/Hinrichsen, Rep Froelich | Summary: The bill requires DOT (Dept of Trans) to assess multi-modal options for pop above 100K with target to reduce emissions every 5 years beginning 2030. Requires rules for establishing targets by 06/2026. For pops above 25K requires a multi-modal plan (no hard targets, but includes GHG analysis). Allows for funding and grants to define targets.

SB25-037 | Coal Transition Grants | Concerning assistance for communities experiencing energy transition. | Sponsors: Sens Roberts/Kirkmeyer, Reps Taggart/Mauro (Bipartisan) | Summary: The office of just transition (office) will work with local governments, employee associations (workers), and economic development orgs to implement the most effective projects and programs for those communities. A public entity may invest public funds only as allowed by law. The bill specifies that the investment of a payment or settlement to offset the socioeconomic impacts to a community or government from the closure of a coal mine or coal power generating station is not subject to these investment limitations. Wow, that’s quite a carve-out of tax law! Currently, 70% of the money credited to the local government severance tax fund (fund) must be distributed to political subdivisions that are socially or economically impacted by the development, processing, or energy conversion of minerals and mineral fuels subject to taxation and used for the planning, construction, and maintenance of public facilities and for the provision of public services, and to compensate political subdivisions for loss of property tax revenue resulting from the deduction of severance taxes paid in the determination of the valuation for assessment of producing mines. This bill doles out the annual monies first to replace lost property taxes ($15M), then to replace lost severance tax  ($75M), then ($90M) to actual communities or people as decided by CML (CO Municipal League), CCI (CO Counties Inc), and special districts. Wow. That’s a lot of power to give to non-state entities.

SB25-039 | Agricultural Buildings Exempt from Energy Use Requirements | Concerning exemptions from energy use reporting requirements for owners of certain buildings. | Sponsors: Sens Bridges Pelton, Rep Martinez (bipartisan) | Summary: Under current law, owners of certain large buildings are required to annually collect and report each covered building’s energy use to the Colorado energy office. The bill clarifies that agricultural buildings are exempt from the energy use collecting and reporting requirements. The bill defines an agricultural building as a building or structure used to house agricultural implements, hay, unprocessed grain, poultry, livestock, or other agricultural products or inputs. CCLC POSITION: OPPOSE (unless amended to require CAFOs to report energy use).