| Bill # | Comments | CCI Position | CCAT Position | Staff Recommendation | Category | Position | Calendar Notification | Short Title | Sponsors | Bill Summary | Most Recent Status | Fiscal Note | Analyze This |
| HB26-1001 | Tuesday, February 3 2026 Transportation, Housing & Local Government 1:30 p.m. Room LSB-A (1) in house calendar. | Housing Developments on Qualifying Properties | A. Boesenecker (D) | J. Mabrey (D) / T. Exum (D) | J. Gonzales (D) | The bill requires a subject jurisdiction, on or after December 31, 2027, to allow a residential development to be constructed on a qualifying property that does not contain an exempt parcel, subject to an administrative approval process. A qualifying property is real property that contains no more than 5 acres of land and is owned by:A nonprofit organization with a demonstrated history of providing affordable housing;A nonprofit organization that provides public transit;A nonprofit organization that has entered into an agreement with another nonprofit organization with a demonstrated history of providing affordable housing, provided that the agreement requires the nonprofit organization with a demonstrated history of providing affordable housing to develop a residential development on the property;A school district;A state college or university;A housing authority; orA local or regional transit district or a regional transportation authority serving one or more counties.If a subject jurisdiction requests, as part of an initial development application, that a nonprofit organization with a demonstrated history of providing affordable housing provide documentation that it meets required criteria, the nonprofit organization shall provide the documentation. A subject jurisdiction shall not:Disallow construction of a residential development on a qualifying property on the basis of height if the tallest structure in the residential development is no more than 3 stories or 45 feet tall;Disallow construction of a residential development on a qualifying property on the basis of height if the tallest structure in the residential development complies with the height-related standards for the zoning district in which the residential development will be built or any zoning district that is contiguous to the qualifying property on which the residential development will be built;Disallow construction of a residential development on a qualifying property based on the number of dwelling units that the residential development will contain, except in accordance with standards listed in the bill; orApply standards to a residential development on a qualifying property that are more restrictive than the standards the subject jurisdiction applies to similar housing constructed within the subject jurisdiction, including standards related to structure setbacks from property lines; lot coverage or open space; on-site parking requirements; numbers of bedrooms in a multifamily residential development; on-site landscaping, screening, and buffering requirements; or minimum dwelling units per acre.Provided that the uses are allowed conditionally or by right within the zoning district in which a qualifying property is located, a subject jurisdiction shall allow the following uses in a residential development on a qualifying property:Child care; andThe provision of recreational, social, or educational services provided by community organizations for use by the residents of the residential development and the surrounding community.The bill requires the owner of a qualifying property to notify the county assessor that a subject jurisdiction has allowed the construction of a residential development on a qualifying property within the county.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) | 1/14/2026 Introduced In House - Assigned to Transportation, Housing & Local Government |
Q1: Describe the general impacts of the bill on Arapahoe County (Please do not summarize the bill language). Support: Tue, January 20, 2026, by Kathy Smith (KSmith@arapahoegov.com) This bill would provide additional opportunities for development of housing from non-profit organizations and housing authorities in our area. Q2: Describe the impacts of the bill on the County’s operations and the provision of public services. Support: Tue, January 20, 2026, by Kathy Smith (KSmith@arapahoegov.com) This bill could increase the number of Special Limited Partnerships between nonprofit organizations and for-profit developers, while shifting financing structures toward greater use of loans and fewer direct grants. This could increase housing development opportunities in our area and provide additional partnership opportunities for the housing authority. Q3: In as much specificity as possible, please estimate the fiscal impacts of the bill on the County. Does the bill adequately fund the demands it places on the County? Support: Tue, January 20, 2026, by Kathy Smith (KSmith@arapahoegov.com) This bill could increase the number of Special Limited Partnership projects for the housing authority which would provide opportunities for the board to defer tax revenue on a property to ensure affordable housing while also generating revenue for future affordable housing in our area. Q4: If you selected amend, what specific changes would be needed to make the legislation better for the County? Support: Tue, January 20, 2026, by Kathy Smith (KSmith@arapahoegov.com) | |||||||
| HB26-1033 | NOT ON CALENDAR | Expanding the Colorado Cottage Foods Act | R. Gonzalez (R) | M. Duran (D) | The bill expands the "Colorado Cottage Foods Act" (CCFA) by allowing for the sale of homemade foods that require refrigeration and foods that include meat and meat products. A producer of a food (producer) that requires time and temperature control must take a food safety course that includes food handling training concerning time and temperature control and acquire and maintain proof of course completion.The bill authorizes a county, district, or regional health agency that inspects or investigates homemade food products produced pursuant to the CCFA to impose a fine for a violation of the requirements of the CCFA and to recover the cost of the inspection or investigation.The bill removes the $10,000 cap on net revenues that a producer can earn under the CCFA.The bill specifies that the CCFA does not apply to the sale of certain food products.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) | 1/14/2026 Introduced In House - Assigned to Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources |
Q1: Describe the general impacts of the bill on Arapahoe County (Please do not summarize the bill language). Amend: Wed, January 21, 2026, by Jennifer Ludwig (jludwig@arapahoegov.com) This bill expands the Colorado Cottage Food Act to include the sale of homemade foods that require refrigeration and foods that include meat and meat products. It removes the $10K cap on net revenues that a producer can earn under CCFA. Removing this cap blurs the lines cottage food vending and restaurants. While this bill provides opportunities for entrepreneurship, the opportunity for foodborne illness outbreaks is great and puts significant strain on the public health system. Q2: Describe the impacts of the bill on the County’s operations and the provision of public services. Amend: Wed, January 21, 2026, by Jennifer Ludwig (jludwig@arapahoegov.com) The bill requires food safety training, but lacks specification. This could impact CSU Extension Office's capacity to develop curricula and provide training. The bill lacks specificity on violations, which will put considerable strain on the public health system to determine so that there is consistency across the state. Outbreaks and/or complaints related to cottage food vendors could increase and will take considerable amount of time to investigate and follow up. Q3: In as much specificity as possible, please estimate the fiscal impacts of the bill on the County. Does the bill adequately fund the demands it places on the County? Amend: Wed, January 21, 2026, by Jennifer Ludwig (jludwig@arapahoegov.com) This bill does not generate any revenue to help pay for the increase in workload. It does permit fines for violations, but doesn't define a violation and the $100 fine will not cover the expenses related to a complaint or outbreak. Foodborne complaints and outbreaks require response from ACPH's Environmental Health and Communicable Disease Epi teams. Investigations into complaints will be challenging, adding additional time and effort to already strained teams. A complete fiscal analysis will need to be conducted to determine impact. Q4: If you selected amend, what specific changes would be needed to make the legislation better for the County? Amend: Wed, January 21, 2026, by Jennifer Ludwig (jludwig@arapahoegov.com) We are working with Colorado Environmental Health Directors and CALPHO on language. | |||||||
| HB26-1038 | NOT ON CALENDAR | County Commissioner Redistricting | A. Paschal (D) / M. Snyder (D) | Under current law, certain boards of county commissioners must appoint county commissioner redistricting commissions to adopt plans to divide the relevant counties into as many county commissioner districts as there are county commissioners elected by voters of their district (plan). The bill requires these boards of county commissioners to appoint independent county commissioner redistricting commissions, modifies the criteria for who may serve on these commissions, and requires the boards of county commissioners to adopt a final plan that was one of the final plans approved by an independent county commissioner redistricting commission. The bill also removes the role of advisory committees in the process of adopting a plan and divides that role among staff and the independent county commissioner redistricting commissions.Further, the bill requires an independent county commissioner redistricting commission to adopt a numerical measure of county commissioner district competitiveness and to use that measure in determining county commissioner districts.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) | 1/14/2026 Introduced In House - Assigned to State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs | ||||||||
| HB26-1039 | NOT ON CALENDAR | Adding Municipal Jails to County Jail Oversight Requirements | M. Carter (D) | N. Ricks (D) / I. Jodeh (D) | M. Weissman (D) | The bill requires municipal jails to comply with existing jail data collection requirements, standards, and oversight. The bill limits a municipal jail to holding a person for no longer than 72 hours.The bill requires a keeper of a municipal jail to take all reasonable steps, prioritizing the health and welfare of the pregnant person, to release a pregnant person from custody if jail staff have a reasonable belief the person is in labor. If the pregnant person in labor is not released, the use of restraints is prohibited during the labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery and the jail staff shall make a written record that the labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery occurred at the jail.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) | 1/14/2026 Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary |
Q1: Describe the general impacts of the bill on Arapahoe County (Please do not summarize the bill language). Support: Fri, January 23, 2026, by Jared Rowlison (jrowlison@arapahoegov.com) None. This would affect the Aurora Detention Center and the Denver Sheriff's Department both of which are separate from any Arapahoe County operations. Q2: Describe the impacts of the bill on the County’s operations and the provision of public services. Support: Fri, January 23, 2026, by Jared Rowlison (jrowlison@arapahoegov.com) None foreseen. Q3: In as much specificity as possible, please estimate the fiscal impacts of the bill on the County. Does the bill adequately fund the demands it places on the County? Support: Fri, January 23, 2026, by Jared Rowlison (jrowlison@arapahoegov.com) None foreseen. Q4: If you selected amend, what specific changes would be needed to make the legislation better for the County? Support: Fri, January 23, 2026, by Jared Rowlison (jrowlison@arapahoegov.com) | |||||||
| SB26-001 | Thursday, January 29 2026 SENATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT & HOUSING COMMITTEE 1:30 PM SCR 357 (1) in senate calendar. | Workforce Housing & Housing Tax Credit | D. Roberts (D) / A. Boesenecker (D) | C. Richardson (R) | Currently, a board of county commissioners (board) may not appropriate general fund money from ad valorem taxes for multijurisdictional housing authorities or other housing authorities established in statute (housing authorities). The bill allows a board to use revenue generated by ad valorem taxes that is in the county's general fund or in other specified county funds for housing authorities. In addition, the bill allows a board to use county general fund money from ad valorem taxes or money from other county funds for workforce housing.Currently, a middle-income housing tax credit (credit) may be transferred from a governmental entity or quasi-governmental entity to a qualified taxpayer. A qualified taxpayer must own an interest in a qualified project to claim the credit. The bill entitles an individual, person, firm, corporation, or other entity subject to income tax and transferred a credit by a governmental entity or quasi-governmental entity to claim the credit without owning an interest in a qualified project.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) | 1/14/2026 Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Local Government & Housing | ||||||||
| SB26-024 | Thursday, February 5 2026 SENATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT & HOUSING COMMITTEE 1:30 PM SCR 357 (1) in senate calendar. | State & Local Unmanned Aircraft Regulation | L. Liston (R) | D. Michaelson Jenet (D) / M. Soper (R) | The bill creates the "Unmanned Aircraft Systems Rights and Authorities Act". The bill does the following:Authorizes an individual to operate an unmanned aircraft system (drone system) for recreational purposes in this state;Authorizes a person to operate a drone system for commercial purposes within this state if the business is lawful and the operation is in compliance with state and federal law;Prohibits the state or a political subdivision of the state (local government) from requiring the registration of an unmanned aircraft or a drone system beyond what may be required by state and federal law;Clarifies that the operation of a drone system in compliance with federal law does not, standing alone, give rise to legal liability;Establishes and limits the regulatory authority of the state; andEstablishes and limits the regulatory authority of a local government.In connection with establishing and limiting the regulatory authority of the state, the bill authorizes the state to regulate the use of drone systems owned by or used by the state or launching from or landing on state property. Exceptions to the state's regulatory authority are made for emergencies, maintenance, technical malfunctions, and law enforcement.In connection with establishing and limiting the regulatory authority of local governments, the bill prohibits a local government from regulating ownership, operation, design, manufacture, testing, maintenance, licensing, registration, certification, or equipment requirements or qualifications, training, or certification of a pilot, operator, or observer. A local government may regulate the use of drone systems owned by or used by the local government or launching from or landing on local government property. A local government's resolution or ordinance that is general in nature, such as a nuisance regulation, applies to a drone system.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) | 1/14/2026 Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Local Government & Housing |
Q1: Describe the general impacts of the bill on Arapahoe County (Please do not summarize the bill language). No Effect: Tue, January 20, 2026, by Kathy Smith (KSmith@arapahoegov.com) this bill provides additional regulation around drone operation in the County. This does not have a direct impact on Community Resources, but would recommend review by Legal and the Sheriff's Office. Q2: Describe the impacts of the bill on the County’s operations and the provision of public services. No Effect: Tue, January 20, 2026, by Kathy Smith (KSmith@arapahoegov.com) This bill does not have a direct impact on Community Resources. Q3: In as much specificity as possible, please estimate the fiscal impacts of the bill on the County. Does the bill adequately fund the demands it places on the County? No Effect: Tue, January 20, 2026, by Kathy Smith (KSmith@arapahoegov.com) This bill does not have a direct impact on Community Resources. Q4: If you selected amend, what specific changes would be needed to make the legislation better for the County? No Effect: Tue, January 20, 2026, by Kathy Smith (KSmith@arapahoegov.com) Q1: Describe the general impacts of the bill on Arapahoe County (Please do not summarize the bill language). Monitor: Fri, January 23, 2026, by Bryan Weimer (BWeimer@arapahoegov.com) This bill prohibits us from regulating unmanned aircraft systems (drones) beyond what is required by state or federal law. It allows us to prohibit drone launches, landings, and piloting from county-owned property (must enact ordinance, reso, or approve a contract). Prohibits us from requiring local licenses/registration/drone operator training/testing/maintenance/design requirements. Given that we have no specific drone regulations in the LDC, impact is minimal. Q2: Describe the impacts of the bill on the County’s operations and the provision of public services. Monitor: Fri, January 23, 2026, by Bryan Weimer (BWeimer@arapahoegov.com) The bill does not permit us to regulate drone usage in navigable airspaces over county-owned property. Somebody with more knowledge of FAA rules would have to weigh in on the impact – one source says “navigable airspace” is 360 feet in altitude in rural areas and 500 in urban/suburban. This means somebody may operate a drone for recreation or for commercial use over Arapahoe County property as long as it maintains a minimum elevation meeting the definition of “navigable airspace.” Q3: In as much specificity as possible, please estimate the fiscal impacts of the bill on the County. Does the bill adequately fund the demands it places on the County? Monitor: Fri, January 23, 2026, by Bryan Weimer (BWeimer@arapahoegov.com) Staff time to enact any drone prohibitions allowed by the legislation, provided that the County wants to prohibit drone launches from county owned property. Q4: If you selected amend, what specific changes would be needed to make the legislation better for the County? Monitor: Fri, January 23, 2026, by Bryan Weimer (BWeimer@arapahoegov.com) The bill does not address right-of-way – it’s not the same type of ownership as other property held by the county. If our attorneys have concerns, we should ask that the bill authorize us to regulate piloting, landing, launching in ROW (for example – if we prohibit drone launches from the Fairgrounds, somebody might park on Quincy Ave and launch from there). Q1: Describe the general impacts of the bill on Arapahoe County (Please do not summarize the bill language). Oppose: Fri, January 23, 2026, by Jared Rowlison (jrowlison@arapahoegov.com) It would remove local control of making decisions regarding drones when community needs related to safety and law enforcement operations may require such a restriction. Q2: Describe the impacts of the bill on the County’s operations and the provision of public services. Oppose: Fri, January 23, 2026, by Jared Rowlison (jrowlison@arapahoegov.com) Should the Sheriff's Office (or other local community) have the need to restrict an area from drones such as a high-profile trial at a courthouse, a high-risk enforcement operation, wildfire, or any number of other possibilities, it would not be permitted to do so. Q3: In as much specificity as possible, please estimate the fiscal impacts of the bill on the County. Does the bill adequately fund the demands it places on the County? Oppose: Fri, January 23, 2026, by Jared Rowlison (jrowlison@arapahoegov.com) Q4: If you selected amend, what specific changes would be needed to make the legislation better for the County? Oppose: Fri, January 23, 2026, by Jared Rowlison (jrowlison@arapahoegov.com) |