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ColoradoHB26-12262026 Regular SessionHouse

Manage Emissions from Electric Generating Units

Sponsored By: Jenny Willford (Democratic), Lisa Cutter (Democratic), Meg Froelich (Democratic), Mike Weissman (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Energy

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Colorado power plants face pollution controls

The law requires pollution limits for Colorado utility power units emitting at least 200 tons of nitrogen oxides or sulfur dioxide in 2024. Units burning only natural gas or fuel oil, or already equipped with both required control systems, are excluded. Units also avoid the limits by shutting down, switching to those fuels, or installing both systems before December 31, 2029. The state air division must propose the final rule by July 2029. Covered units planning to operate and actually operating after December 31, 2034, must install and operate controls by that date. Nitrogen oxide limits require selective catalytic reduction; sulfur dioxide limits require flue gas desulfurization or a dry spray absorber. The air commission sets a practical deadline after December 31, 2034, for meeting the limits. Owners and operators must submit quarterly emissions reports. Utility resource plans considering operation after December 31, 2034, must estimate compliance costs; utilities without these plans are encouraged to publish estimates. These controls reduce pollution but add utility costs; the planning rule does not authorize charges to customers.

Large utilities must secure replacement capacity

For investor-owned utilities serving more than 500,000 customers, regulators must approve enough dependable capacity in resource plans and related power-supply reviews. Capacity can come from power sources or measures that reduce demand. It must support covered-unit retirement dates or operating restrictions and meet state carbon dioxide reduction requirements. Regulators must certify this in writing and can still weigh costs, electricity rates, and other factors. The capacity rule lasts until state officials confirm required carbon reductions and all covered units are retired, whichever happens later. Investor-owned utilities' carbon reduction obligations also continue until every covered unit they own or operate is retired. These rules support reliable electricity during plant changes, but acquiring resources can add costs that affect customers' bills.

Utilities can seek emergency-order cost recovery

Investor-owned utilities can seek financing orders to recover costs of federal emergency orders keeping covered power units available past planned retirement. Requests can stand alone or join a broader application; approval and customer charges are not automatic. For investor-owned utilities, the framework applies to those filing resource plans and only where consistent with the federal order. Investor-owned utilities and wholesale electric cooperatives operating covered units under these orders must report operating costs, capital spending, generation hours, and electricity output. Reports also cover power curtailment caused by the order and its added cost. Reporting starts 150 days after the order or the law's effective date, whichever is later, then repeats every 90 days. Reports cover the preceding 90 days; equivalent federal submissions can satisfy the requirement. Reports are generally public, but qualifying confidential information can receive protection through nondisclosure agreements. By August 1, 2029, state utility regulators must identify affected units and report stakeholder recommendations on law or timing changes. Financing provides a cost-recovery path for utilities, but approved recovery can affect household electricity bills.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Jenny Willford

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Cutter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Meg Froelich

    Democratic • House

  • Mike Weissman

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Andrew Boesenecker

    Democratic • House

  • Amy Paschal

    Democratic • House

  • Jamie Jackson

    Democratic • House

  • Junie Joseph

    Democratic • House

  • Julie McCluskie

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Manny Rutinel

    Democratic • House

  • Regina English

    Democratic • House

  • Tisha Mauro

    Democratic • House

  • Sen. A. Benavidez

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Iman Jodeh

    Democratic • Senate

  • Judy Amabile

    Democratic • Senate

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jessie Danielson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Nick Hinrichsen

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 168 • No: 89

House vote • 5/7/2026

Senate amendments: Repass

Yes: 41 • No: 23

House vote • 5/7/2026

Senate amendments: Concur

Yes: 42 • No: 22

Senate vote • 5/5/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 22 • No: 13

Senate vote • 4/29/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1226, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 5 • No: 3

House vote • 4/22/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 42 • No: 22

House vote • 4/21/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1226, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 7 • No: 3

House vote • 2/26/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1226, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.

Yes: 9 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    6/4/2026House

  2. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    6/3/2026House

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    6/3/2026Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/3/2026House

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

    5/7/2026House

  6. House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily

    5/6/2026House

  7. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    5/5/2026Senate

  8. Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee

    5/4/2026Senate

  9. Senate Second Reading Laid Over to 05/04/2026 - No Amendments

    5/1/2026Senate

  10. Senate Committee on Transportation & Energy Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole

    4/29/2026Senate

  11. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Transportation & Energy

    4/24/2026Senate

  12. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/22/2026House

  13. House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole

    4/21/2026House

  14. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee

    4/21/2026House

  15. House Committee on Energy & Environment Refer Amended to Appropriations

    2/26/2026House

  16. Introduced In House - Assigned to Energy & Environment

    2/18/2026House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

    PDF

  • Final Act

    PDF

  • House Energy & Environment Preamend

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • Reengrossed

    PDF

  • Rerevised

    PDF

  • Revised

    PDF

  • Senate Transportation & Energy Preamend

    PDF

  • Signed Act

    PDF

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