2026 Session Wrap: Colorado
HB26-1395: Repeal Wildfire Resilient Homes Grant Program
Prime Sponsors: Representative Emily Sirota; Representative Rick Taggart; Senator Judy Amabile; Senator Jeff Bridges
Repeals the Wildfire Resilient Homes Grant Program previously administered by the Department of Public Safety. As of June 30, 2026, the transfer of any unexpended and unencumbered funds remaining in the Wildfire Resilient Homes Grant Program Cash Fund to the state’s General Fund. No new funding is allocated, and the bill instead redirects existing resources. The primary impact of this legislation is the discontinuation of a program aimed at supporting wildfire resilience in residential properties.
SB26-155: Increase Access Homeowner’s Insurance Enterprise
Prime Sponsors: Senator Kyle Mullica; Senator Janice Marchman; Representative Julie McCluskie; Representative Kyle Brown
Establishes the Strengthen Colorado Homes Enterprise within the Division of Insurance to address the increasing challenges faced by homeowners in obtaining affordable and adequate insurance coverage due to climate change-driven extreme weather events such as hail, windstorms, and wildfires. The legislation creates a new enterprise fund, financed primarily through a fee imposed on insurers offering multiperil homeowner’s insurance policies in Colorado, set at 0.5% of the total premiums collected annually, with a cap of $100 million in total fee revenue over the first five fiscal years. Insurers are prohibited from passing this fee onto policyholders. The enterprise is governed by a seven-member board, including the Insurance Commissioner and appointees with expertise in insurance, home hardening, consumer representation, and roofing.
The primary function of the enterprise is to administer a grant program that provides financial assistance to Colorado homeowners for retrofitting their homes with resilient roof systems designed to withstand hail and wind damage, reducing insurer losses and stabilizing the insurance market. At least 85% of fee revenue must be allocated to homeowner grants, with the remainder available for workforce training and certification in resilient roofing installation. The board is tasked with setting standards for resilient roof systems, establishing codes of conduct for roofing contractors, and ensuring proper installation and certification. Grants are prioritized for primary residences, and eligibility criteria include income, location risk, roof age, and compliance with building codes. The board may also award grants for workforce development in resilient roofing.
The legislation mandates annual reporting by the enterprise, beginning July 1, 2028, detailing fee collections, grant distributions, geographic impact, and workforce training outcomes. Additionally, the board is required to conduct a study, to be completed and published by July 1, 2031, analyzing insurance risk and market competition in high-risk wildfire areas, and to make recommendations regarding the structure and funding of a potential high-risk insurance program.
The enterprise is structured to operate as a government-owned business, exempt from certain state fiscal constraints if it meets enterprise criteria under the state constitution, and is authorized to issue revenue bonds and accept limited grants from state and local governments.
HB26-1184: Sunset Process Forest Health Council
Prime Sponsors: Representative Meghan Lukens; Representative Tisha Mauro; Senator Lisa Cutter; Senator Janice Marchman
Extends the Colorado Forest Health Council to September 1, 2033. The primary impact is the extension and refinement of the council’s structure and mandate, supporting ongoing efforts to address forest health challenges in the state.
HB26-1213: Sunset Biomass Utilization Grant Program
Prime Sponsors: Representative Lesley Smith; Representative Karen McCormick; Senator Katie Wallace
Repeals the Biomass Utilization Grant Program as recommended by the Department of Regulatory Agencies’ 2025 Sunset Report. Repeals the grant program to support the utilization of biomass for wildfire mitigation, energy generation, and agricultural benefits such as biochar production.
HB26-1205: Colorado State Forest Service Good Neighbor Authority
Prime Sponsors: Representative Elizabeth Velasco; Representative Tisha Mauro; Senator Lisa Cutter; Senator Mark Baisley
Amends law to align with recent federal expansions of the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA), which allows state agencies to partner with federal agencies for land, watershed, and forest management projects. Expands the eligible activities under these agreements to include not only forest health and watershed protection but also wildlife habitat improvement and the enhancement of outdoor recreation opportunities. The bill clarifies that Colorado can enter GNA agreements for projects that support forest product supply to local businesses and improve resilience and habitat.
2026 Wildfire Bill Tracking &
Forging a Resilient West Dashboard
Western States
This memo was prepared by CSG West staff using AI-assisted research tools, with findings reviewed and verified prior to publication. The Council of State Governments (CSG) is a nonpartisan organization that provides members with unbiased research based on peer-reviewed evidence, reliable data, facts, and objective analysis. CSG takes no position on any pending legislation, enacted laws; proposed or enacted regulations, executive orders or agreements, or other executive actions; past or present court rulings or orders; or any other governmental action or potential action mentioned in this brief or in any linked material. Additionally, CSG does not endorse the viewpoints of any outside author, source, or third-party publication mentioned; sources cited are for informational purposes only.