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ColoradoHB25-12112025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Tap Fees Imposed by Special Districts

Sponsored By: Barbara Kirkmeyer (Republican), Jeff Bridges (Democratic), Rebekah Stewart (Democratic), Sheila Lieder (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Local GovernmentWater

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Water districts must serve when capacity allows

Water and water-and-sanitation districts must provide water service when they have the capacity. They must have enough room in existing infrastructure and sufficient legal water rights to serve new customers. They must also be able to fund needed infrastructure and water rights without harming current customers. Service outside district boundaries or service areas under a contract remains governed by that contract, not this service requirement.

New cost rules for water connection fees

Colorado special districts providing water or sanitation can raise or lower tap fees—the charges for connecting property to service. Fees must reasonably match service costs, including building or buying infrastructure, its permitted capacity, and planning, buying, or developing water rights. Fees cannot include ongoing operations, maintenance, or routine monthly billing costs. For proportional or reduced fees, districts must use at least one listed factor and follow plumbing and land-use rules. Factors include expected long-term indoor and outdoor water use, including nonnative turf and water-wise landscaping that emphasizes native plants. Other factors are home size or bedroom count, water-saving appliances, fixture counts, or legally defined graywater treatment systems authorized within the district. Districts can pledge tap-fee revenue to repay district debt; the law does not guarantee lower fees. The law takes effect at 12:01 a.m. the day after the 90-day period following final adjournment ends, unless a referendum petition is filed. A petition delays the challenged law or part until voters approve it at the November 2026 general election and the governor officially declares the vote.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Barbara Kirkmeyer

    Republican • Senate

  • Jeff Bridges

    Democratic • Senate

  • Rebekah Stewart

    Democratic • House

  • Sheila Lieder

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Javier Mabrey

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Steven Woodrow

    Democratic • House

  • Judy Amabile

    Democratic • Senate

  • Katie Wallace

    Democratic • Senate

  • Nick Hinrichsen

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 176 • No: 74

House vote • 4/15/2025

Senate amendments: Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 14

House vote • 4/15/2025

Senate amendments: Repass

Yes: 44 • No: 20

Senate vote • 4/14/2025

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 27 • No: 6

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

Adopt amendment L.008

Yes: 6 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

Refer House Bill 25-1211, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 5 • No: 2

House vote • 3/17/2025

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 36 • No: 27

House vote • 2/26/2025

Refer House Bill 25-1211, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 9 • No: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    5/9/2025House

  2. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    5/6/2025House

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    5/6/2025Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor

    5/6/2025House

  5. House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass

    4/15/2025House

  6. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/14/2025Senate

  7. Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee

    4/11/2025Senate

  8. Senate Committee on Local Government & Housing Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole

    4/9/2025Senate

  9. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Local Government & Housing

    4/3/2025Senate

  10. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    3/17/2025House

  11. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor

    3/14/2025House

  12. House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

    3/3/2025House

  13. House Committee on Transportation, Housing & Local Government Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole

    2/26/2025House

  14. Introduced In House - Assigned to Transportation, Housing & Local Government

    2/11/2025House

Bill Text

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