Legislative Updates

View the text of HB25-1113

House Bill 25-1113, signed into law on May 20, 2025, establishes statewide requirements for turf limitations in new residential developments and redevelopments. Beginning January 1, 2028, local governments with land use planning and zoning authority are mandated to regulate the installation of turf in new residential projects to reduce irrigation water demand. While the law grants local entities discretion in determining the standards and mechanisms for regulation, it prohibits restrictions on the installation of grass seed or sod that is not classified as nonfunctional turf. This legislation builds upon previous efforts to promote water conservation by limiting the use of high water-use, non-native plants in residential landscaping.

This law goes into effect on August 6, 2025, unless a referendum is filed. If a referendum is filed, then it will be on the November 2026 ballot.

View the text of HB25-1211

House Bill 25-1211, signed into law on May 9, 2025, establishes new requirements for how water, sanitation, and water and sanitation districts determine and impose tap fees. The law imposes a duty to provide water service if the district has capacity to do so, subject to certain exceptions.  The law also mandates that tap fees must be reasonably related to the actual costs incurred by the district in providing water service, including expenses associated with infrastructure development and the acquisition of water rights. Routine operational costs are excluded from this calculation. Furthermore, when setting tap fees, districts are required to consider at least one of the following factors to support the calculation and setting of proportional or reduced fees: expected long-term water usage (both indoor and outdoor), the square footage of the unit or the number of bedrooms, the presence of low-water-usage appliances, per-unit fixture counts in bathrooms, kitchens, and other spaces that provide water or sanitation service, and the presence of graywater treatment works, if applicable.

This law goes into effect on August 6, 2025, unless a referendum is filed. If a referendum is filed, then it will be on the November 2026 ballot.

View the text of HB25-1219

House Bill 25-1219, signed into law on May 29, 2025, enhances transparency and public engagement requirements for metropolitan districts organized on or after January 1, 2000. Effective September 1, 2025, the legislation mandates that such districts provide detailed information on their official websites, including a plain-language explanation of the district’s purpose and operations, a description of services provided, contact information for inquiries, and the name of the county or municipality to which the district submits its annual report. Additionally, districts must establish a system for residents to contact district representatives outside of regular business hours. The legislation also requires that notices for annual public meetings be sent via mail or email to eligible electors and posted prominently on the district’s website. Furthermore, sellers of residential property within these metropolitan districts must furnish buyers with a hard copy of the district’s explanatory materials, ensuring that purchasers are informed about the district’s functions and financial obligations.

This law goes into effect on August 6, 2025, unless a referendum is filed. If a referendum is filed, then it will be on the November 2026 ballot.

View the text of HB25-1289

House Bill 25-1289, signed into law on June 3, 2025, revises Colorado’s property tax exemption framework for real property leased to public entities, with particular implications for metropolitan districts. Under the new law, metropolitan districts that are parties to lease or rental agreements effective on or after January 1, 2025, and filed in support of a property tax exemption claim, must submit an additional statement to the county assessor’s office. The additional statement must include the following details: 1) the metropolitan district’s use of the leased property; 2) the metropolitan district’s authority to use the leased property for the metropolitan district’s purposes; 3) any use of the leased property by a private person for private purposes; and 4) any disclosure filed by a member of the board of directors of the metropolitan district in accordance with certain laws that govern disclosures of conflicts of interest.

If the statement includes a conflict of interest disclosure that relates to the leased property and is filed by a member of the board of directors of the metropolitan district the county assessor shall, within 30 days of receipt of the statement, submit the statement to the metropolitan district’s governing body. Within 63 days of receipt of the statement, the governing body shall issue a written decision including findings of fact and a conclusion as to whether the leased property is used for a public purpose. If the governing body concludes that the leased property is not used for a public purpose, the leased property is not exempt from taxation. The decision of the governing body is not subject to appeal and does not give rise to any private right of action.

This law goes into effect on August 6, 2025, unless a referendum is filed. If a referendum is filed, then it will be on the November 2026 ballot.

View the text of SB25-023

Senate Bill 25-023, signed into law on April 7, 2025, amends Colorado’s audit exemption thresholds for local governments, including special and metropolitan districts. Effective for fiscal years commencing on or after January 1, 2025, the legislation increases the revenue and expenditure thresholds that determine eligibility for exemption from annual financial audits. Specifically, the threshold for total revenues and expenditures to qualify for exemption without an independent accountant’s involvement is raised from $100,000 to $200,000. Additionally, the threshold for total revenues or expenditures requiring an application prepared by an independent accountant is increased from $750,000 to $1,000,000. These adjustments align state requirements with federal standards and account for inflationary changes.

This law goes into effect on August 6, 2025, unless a referendum is filed. If a referendum is filed, then it will be on the November 2026 ballot.

View the text of SB25-144

Senate Bill 25-144, signed into law on May 30, 2025, introduces amendments to Colorado’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program, expanding the maximum duration of paid leave benefits. While the standard benefit remains at 12 weeks, the legislation adds an additional four weeks for pregnancy or childbirth complications. Furthermore, starting in 2026, it provides an extra 12 weeks of leave for parents whose newborns require inpatient care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

The bill also addresses the financial aspects of the FAMLI program. It maintains the current premium rate of 0.9% through 2025 and reduces it to 0.88% in 2026. Beginning in 2027, the program director is authorized to set annual premium rates, with stipulations to ensure the fund’s solvency, minimize rate volatility, and cap the rate at 1.2% of employee wages.

This law goes into effect on August 6, 2025, unless a referendum is filed. If a referendum is filed, then it will be on the November 2026 ballot.

View the text of SB25-172

Senate Bill 25-172, signed into law on April 18, 2025, clarifies the conditions under which a special district may cancel an uncontested election for a director district. Specifically, the law permits cancellation when the only matter on the ballot is the election of a director, the number of candidates does not exceed the number of available positions, and the only eligible voters are electors residing within the director district.

This law goes into effect on August 6, 2025, unless a referendum is filed. If a referendum is filed, then it will be on the November 2026 ballot.

View the text of HB25-1009

House Bill 25-1009, signed into law on March 31, 2025, authorizes fire protection districts and metropolitan districts providing fire protection services to establish vegetative fuel mitigation programs aimed at reducing wildfire risks on privately owned property within their jurisdictions. Districts implementing such programs are required to adopt policies consistent with the 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code or standards set by the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code Board.

Under the legislation, districts may mandate property owners or occupiers to remove identified vegetative fuel and may impose fines for noncompliance. The enforcement process involves a series of notices: an initial notice providing at least 10 days for compliance, followed by a second notice if necessary, and a third notice that may include a fine not exceeding $300 per incident. Fines are waived if the vegetative fuel is removed within 10 days of the third notice. Collected fines must be utilized by the district to assist in vegetative fuel removal, with priority given to aiding low-income individuals, seniors, or persons with disabilities. Additionally, property owners have the right to object to fines, and districts are prohibited from placing liens on properties unless there are five or more unpaid fines for the same property.

This law goes into effect on August 6, 2025, unless a referendum is filed. If a referendum is filed, then it will be on the November 2026 ballot.