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Presented by Nikolaus Remus, AIA, AIA Colorado’s Advocacy Engagement Director, alongside Government Affairs Committee Chair Brittany Goldsmith, AIA, the session explored how a challenging budget year, ongoing housing pressures, and evolving climate and infrastructure priorities shaped the legislative landscape. Attendees also gained insight into AIA Colorado’s advocacy process, including how the Government Affairs Committee evaluates bills, collaborates with legislators, and engages members in testimony and outreach efforts throughout the session.
The 2026 legislative session unfolded amid a $1.5 billion state budget deficit, forcing lawmakers to make difficult spending decisions and limiting the advancement of many bills with fiscal impacts. Despite these constraints, housing affordability, land use reform, climate resilience, energy infrastructure, and construction-related policy remained major areas of focus. AIA Colorado tracked numerous bills throughout the session, formally supporting six measures, taking amend positions on three, and closely monitoring additional legislation affecting the architecture and construction industries.
Housing and Land Use
AIA Colorado Position: Support
Outcome: Passed
One of the session’s marquee housing bills, HB26-1001 sought to encourage affordable housing development by allowing qualified nonprofit developers to pursue higher-density residential projects on properties such as school district land, university land, and transit authority sites. The bill created opportunities for mission-driven housing organizations to override certain local zoning restrictions in order to deliver more affordable housing. AIA Colorado supported the measure, viewing it as a strategic approach to increasing housing supply while leveraging underutilized land near transit and community infrastructure.
Presenters noted that the bill represented an ongoing statewide debate between local governments and the state legislature regarding land use authority. Local jurisdictions argued that zoning and density decisions should remain local, while supporters emphasized the urgent statewide need for affordable housing solutions. Because the legislation was narrowly tailored to nonprofit and mission-driven housing organizations, lawmakers were ultimately able to advance the bill successfully.
AIA Colorado Position: Support
Outcome: Passed
Legislators also explored ways to prepare communities for future regional rail expansion projects through HB26-1065, which focused on transit and housing investment zones. The bill proposed allowing select jurisdictions to utilize tax increment financing mechanisms to fund infrastructure improvements near future transit stations and support transit-oriented development.
The discussion highlighted Colorado’s growing investment in regional rail initiatives and the need to proactively align housing density and infrastructure planning with future transportation systems. The legislation also created opportunities for affordable housing incentives around future rail corridors and transit hubs.
AIA Colorado Position: Support
Outcome: Failed to advance out of Appropriations
HB26-1066 aimed to reduce financial barriers facing nonprofit affordable housing developers by extending property tax exemptions to rental housing developments during lengthy predevelopment phases. Presenters explained that nonprofit housing organizations often hold land for years while assembling tax credits, grants, and financing packages necessary to complete affordable housing projects.
AIA Colorado supported the bill because it would have reduced carrying costs during these extended development periods. However, the legislation ultimately failed to advance due largely to budget concerns and the state’s reluctance to reduce projected property tax revenue during a major budget deficit year.
AIA Colorado Position: Support
Outcome: Failed during final reconciliation between House and Senate
HB26-1206 proposed granting local housing authorities additional authority to directly ask voters for sales tax increases to support affordable housing development. Supporters argued that local housing authorities are well positioned to identify and fund critical housing needs within their communities.
Although the bill successfully advanced through both chambers of the legislature, disagreements over amendments late in the session prevented the House and Senate from reaching a final compromise before adjournment. Presenters suggested the concept is likely to reappear in future legislative sessions as housing affordability remains a central issue statewide.
AIA Colorado Position: Monitored / No Formal Position
Outcome: Failed in Senate committee
AIA Colorado monitored HB26-1114, which proposed limiting the ability of local jurisdictions to mandate large minimum lot sizes for residential development. Supporters argued that smaller lots could encourage more attainable housing types and create opportunities for smaller starter homes.
Within AIA Colorado’s Government Affairs Committee, however, the proposal generated significant discussion around infrastructure capacity, utility access, wildfire safety, and the balance between local and state authority. Ultimately, the organization chose not to take a formal support, oppose, or amend position because members held a wide range of perspectives on the proposal.
AIA Colorado Position: Monitored / No Formal Position
Outcome: Failed
HB26-1308 explored allowing residential property owners to split existing lots in order to create additional housing opportunities. The bill would have enabled lot splits subject to local approval processes and sought to encourage additional housing density within existing neighborhoods.
AIA Colorado members discussed concerns related to infrastructure, parking, utility connections, wildfire risk, and development feasibility. Presenters noted that while the concept reflects a growing national trend toward incremental density, implementation challenges and local impacts remain significant concerns. The organization ultimately monitored the bill rather than taking a formal position.
Local Zoning and Community Response
AIA Colorado Position: Informational Discussion Only
Outcome: Voters repealed the zoning changes
Presenters also discussed the recent repeal of major zoning reforms in Lakewood, Colorado, where residents successfully overturned sweeping land use changes that would have increased density and reduced single-family zoning protections. The discussion illustrated growing public resistance to aggressive zoning reform efforts, even within politically progressive communities.
The outcome underscored the political challenges lawmakers face when balancing housing affordability goals with neighborhood concerns about density, infrastructure, parking, and community character.
Wildfire Resilience and Disaster Mitigation
AIA Colorado Position: Amend
Outcome: Failed
A bill proposing to delay implementation of Colorado’s statewide wildfire resiliency code by one year ultimately failed. Local governments had argued they needed additional time and administrative capacity to implement the code effectively, while legislators expressed concern about delaying wildfire safety measures amid increasingly dangerous fire seasons.
AIA Colorado took an amend position on the bill, particularly objecting to language that would have allowed individual property owners to seek variances directly from the statewide code board. Presenters explained that such an approach would have complicated code administration and undermined consistent implementation efforts.
AIA Colorado Position: Support
Outcome: Significantly amended before passage consideration
SB26-049 sought to expand Colorado’s disaster mitigation grant programs by allowing individual homeowners and homeowner associations to access funding for wildfire resilience improvements, such as replacing combustible fencing or implementing neighborhood-level mitigation measures.
While the concept received initial support, local governments opposed redirecting limited mitigation funding away from municipal grant programs. Key provisions were eventually removed from the legislation, substantially narrowing its scope.
Sustainability, Energy, and Data Centers
AIA Colorado Position: Monitored / No Formal Position
Outcome: Failed
HB26-1030 proposed substantial tax incentives for AI-focused data centers that participated in voluntary “good neighbor” programs related to energy use, water management, and community engagement.
Presenters explained that AI data centers present new challenges because of their significantly higher energy demands and infrastructure requirements compared to traditional data centers. AIA Colorado monitored the bill while evaluating how Colorado should responsibly accommodate rapidly expanding AI infrastructure.
AIA Colorado Position: Amend
Outcome: Failed
SB26-102 took a more regulatory approach by proposing stricter renewable energy, infrastructure, water use, and utility requirements for large AI data centers. AIA Colorado took an amend position on the bill, supporting efforts to protect utility customers and local communities while expressing concern that some provisions may have gone too far.
Neither data center bill ultimately passed, but presenters emphasized that AI infrastructure policy is expected to remain a major topic in future legislative sessions.
AIA Colorado Position: Informational Discussion Only
Outcome: Study authorized
Lawmakers also approved a study examining whether Colorado’s Public Utilities Commission should expand beyond its current three-member structure. The discussion reflected growing concerns that utility regulation impacts regions of Colorado differently and that broader representation may improve decision-making around energy infrastructure and utility planning.
Accessibility, Liability, and Codes
AIA Colorado Position: Amend, later Neutral
Outcome: Awaiting possible gubernatorial action
AIA Colorado tracked HB26-1236 Arbitration Reform legislation intended to strengthen consumer protections in arbitration agreements. Because arbitration policies significantly impact construction liability and condominium development, the issue generated substantial attention within the building industry.
After amendments addressed concerns about unclear language, AIA Colorado ultimately moved to a neutral position on the bill, though several construction industry groups continued to oppose it and pursue veto efforts.
AIA Colorado Position: Support
Outcome: Passed
HB25-1030, legislation modernizing Colorado accessibility statutes successfully advanced during the session. The bill updated statutory references to align with newer ICC accessibility standards and improved consistency between state statutes and current code language.
Presenters emphasized that the legislation was primarily technical in nature and was not intended to substantially alter existing accessibility requirements.
Construction, Labor, and Workforce Issues
AIA Colorado Position: Coalition Monitored
Outcome: Failed
HB26-1054 attempted to create state-level worker safety protections modeled after federal OSHA standards amid concerns about possible reductions to federal workplace safety enforcement. Construction industry organizations argued the proposal would create confusion and unnecessary duplication, and the bill ultimately failed.
AIA Colorado Position: Coalition Monitored
Outcome: Study legislation advanced
Lawmakers also considered HB26-1272, legislation related to extreme heat protections for outdoor workers. Rather than immediately implementing broad new regulations, legislators instead advanced a study examining which industries and workers face the greatest risks and what future protections may be appropriate for Colorado.
AIA Colorado Position: Opposed through coalition feedback / Monitored
Outcome: Failed
HB26-1415 proposed creating a voluntary residential contractor certification program in response to homeowner complaints about contractor fraud and unfinished projects. AIA Colorado and industry stakeholders argued that a voluntary program would likely fail to prevent abuse because bad actors would simply choose not to participate.
Presenters noted that lawmakers may instead pursue more comprehensive contractor regulation reforms through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies in future sessions.
AIA Colorado Position: Supported through coalition engagement
Outcome: Various outcomes; several measures advanced
Additional construction-related legislation addressed workers’ compensation insurance calculations, bond claims, and documentation requirements for contractors. These measures were primarily technical in nature and focused on streamlining administrative processes and improving fairness within existing insurance systems.
Transportation and Energy Ballot Initiatives
AIA Colorado Position: Under Review / No Formal Position Yet
Outcome: Likely headed to 2026 ballot
Presenters previewed a proposed ballot initiative, SB19-051, that would dedicate a fixed portion of Colorado’s general fund specifically to road and bridge funding. Supporters argued the measure would ensure consistent infrastructure investment, while critics raised concerns about limiting legislative flexibility during difficult budget years.
The Government Affairs Committee indicated its initial response was cautious and that the proposal would continue to be evaluated throughout the summer.
AIA Colorado Position: Informational Discussion Only
Outcome: Passed by legislature; potential veto discussions ongoing
HB26-1430 emerged as a legislative response to the proposed transportation ballot initiative by modifying transportation funding mechanisms and preserving legislative authority over infrastructure spending decisions.
AIA Colorado Position: No Formal Position Yet
Outcome: Expected future ballot initiative
Finally, presenters discussed an anticipated ballot initiative that would establish a constitutional right to natural gas service in Colorado. The measure would likely prohibit local governments from banning natural gas hookups in new construction, reflecting broader statewide debates around electrification, energy choice, and building decarbonization.
Advocacy and Political Engagement
The session concluded with a discussion of AIA Colorado’s ongoing advocacy efforts, including Architects Day at the Capitol, legislative outreach, member testimony opportunities, and support for pro-design candidates through ArcPAC. Presenters emphasized that architects continue to play a critical role in shaping conversations around housing, resilience, infrastructure, sustainability, and the future of Colorado’s built environment.