Following the adjournment of the 2026 Colorado legislative session, NCLA is reviewing outcomes on several bills with potential impacts on Northern Colorado employers and the broader business climate. The following update reflects key positions NCLA supported, opposed or monitored during the final days of session.
● SUPPORT:
SB26-189
Automated Decision-Making Technology
What This Does: Repeals and replaces SB24-205, a problematic bill that is scheduled to become enforceable this June. Among other provisions, SB189 requires developers of technologies intended to support consumer-facing decision-making processes to provide the users of such tools with written disclosure of the capacities and limitations of such system. It further requires users to disclose to consumers when and how such tools are deployed.
Why This Is Important: Passage of SB24-205 was a first-in-the-nation effort to place guardrails on the use of automated systems while creating opportunity for consumers to take direct legal action against developers and users of covered systems as a dispute resolution alternative. Collecting and retaining documentation of resulting decisions and implementation of these tools are consistent with non-automated system standards while enforcement remains within the sole purview of the Attorney General under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act.
Status: Passed Senate, House Judiciary, House floor 3rd Reading 5.9
● OPPOSE:
HB26-1430
Transportation Funding Adjustments
What This Does: This bill is pre-emptive in the event a constitutional amendment that is currently seeking signatures for potential consideration by voters this November. That measure, currently referred to as Issue 175, would require the temporary suspension or reduction of certain fees and taxes that support our statewide transportation network to limit the potential effects of Issue 175.
Why This Hurts Business: Regardless of the merits of Issue 175, SB1430 cynically usurps the will of voters without engagement on the merits of either proposal. NCLA has not taken a position on Issue 175.
Status: Passed House, Awaits Senate Finance
● OPPOSE:
SB26-160
Personal Protective Equipment & Meatpackers
What This Does: The bill precludes employers from deducting from wages or compensation of workers for the cost of lost or damaged personal protective equipment, whether such damage is intentional or not. It further requires large employers engaged in the slaughter, rendering or packaging of livestock to allow reasonable accommodation to restrooms.
Why This Hurts Business: The bill attempts to supersede federal and union-negotiated contract terms regarding the replacement of equipment, while access to restrooms is already required under existing law with no evidence of employers withholding such access.
Status: Passed House, Senate, on its way to the Governor
● MONITOR:
SB26-178
Health Insurance Affordability Measures
What This Does: Creates a new enterprise within the State funded through one-time fees imposed upon healthcare insurers, supplemented by authorization to issue up to $100M in debt in the form of certificates of participation and separate a debt instrument from the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund. The purpose of the enterprise would be to subsidize the cost of health insurance policies, enhanced consumer education and outreach programs, and development of beneficial policies. It remains unclear how this bill will deliver tangible benefits to consumers and healthcare providers.
Status: Passed Senate heavily amended, Awaits House Appropriations Committee