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ColoradoHB26-12602026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Updates to Child Care Assistance Programs

Sponsored By: Jenny Willford (Democratic), Lisa Cutter (Democratic), Lorena Garcia (Democratic), Scott Bright (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Education & School Finance (Pre & K-12)

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Families wait longer for child care cap

Effective August 1, 2026, the law moves Colorado’s child care copayment deadline from August 1, 2026, to August 1, 2028. The state must cap Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) copayments at 7% of a family’s gross monthly income. That cap covers all children in care, regardless of how many receive care. Counties use one month’s income, or up to the latest 12 months when one month does not reflect expected income. If federal rules require a cap below 7%, the department must apply that lower cap immediately.

Child care access grants get more time

The law extends the deadline for Colorado and counties to use CCCAP access grants and contracts to August 1, 2028. These must help underserved areas, infants and toddlers, children with disabilities, and families needing care outside traditional hours. Implementation depends on available federal funds and department notice that case-management systems are ready. The state and counties must review the numbers and shares of underserved groups served each year. This review must assess whether fair access has improved or been achieved.

Advance child care payments face later deadline

The law extends the deadline for counties to adopt new CCCAP provider payments to August 1, 2028. Counties must pay weekly, before care, for each enrolled child once federal funds are available and the department confirms systems are ready. Daily payments are limited to drop-in care, backup care, and care usually paid daily in the private market. The payment framework includes a program encouraging regular attendance, and the department’s executive director must issue rules. The department must send annual reports to lawmakers, including county and statewide unmet need for children from birth through age 13. Reporting began by November 1, 2022; reports from November 1, 2024, onward must explain provider quality incentives. Starting with November 1, 2026, reports must show department and county spending on administration, county indirect costs, program implementation, and direct services. Reports go to the Joint Budget Committee and House and Senate health and human services committees, subject to federal funding and system readiness.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Jenny Willford

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Cutter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lorena Garcia

    Democratic • House

  • Scott Bright

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Andrew Boesenecker

    Democratic • House

  • Ava Flanell

    Republican • House

  • Chad Clifford

    Democratic • House

  • Eliza Hamrick

    Democratic • House

  • Emily Sirota

    Democratic • House

  • Gretchen Rydin

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer Bacon

    Democratic • House

  • Jamie Jackson

    Democratic • House

  • Junie Joseph

    Democratic • House

  • Julie McCluskie

    Democratic • House

  • Jacque Phillips

    Democratic • House

  • Kenny Nguyen

    Democratic • House

  • Katie Stewart

    Democratic • House

  • Lori Goldstein

    Democratic • House

  • Lesley Smith

    Democratic • House

  • Michael Carter

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Meg Froelich

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Manny Rutinel

    Democratic • House

  • Ryan Gonzalez

    Republican • House

  • Rebecca Keltie

    Republican • House

  • Sean Camacho

    Democratic • House

  • Sheila Lieder

    Democratic • House

  • Tammy Story

    Democratic • House

  • Barbara Kirkmeyer

    Republican • Senate

  • Byron Pelton

    Republican • Senate

  • Cathy Kipp

    Democratic • Senate

  • Chris Kolker

    Democratic • Senate

  • Iman Jodeh

    Democratic • Senate

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Julie Gonzales

    Democratic • Senate

  • Janice Marchman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kyle Mullica

    Democratic • Senate

  • Katie Wallace

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lindsey Daugherty

    Democratic • Senate

  • Matt Ball

    Democratic • Senate

  • Marc Snyder

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tony Exum

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 263 • No: 2

House vote • 5/4/2026

Senate amendments: Concur

Yes: 64 • No: 1

House vote • 5/4/2026

Senate amendments: Repass

Yes: 65 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/30/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/28/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1260 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/22/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1260, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

House vote • 3/25/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 63 • No: 1

House vote • 3/20/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1260 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 11 • No: 0

House vote • 3/11/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1260, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    5/29/2026House

  2. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    5/28/2026House

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    5/28/2026Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor

    5/28/2026House

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

    5/4/2026House

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

    5/1/2026House

  7. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/30/2026Senate

  8. Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

    4/29/2026Senate

  9. Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole

    4/28/2026Senate

  10. Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to Appropriations

    4/22/2026Senate

  11. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services

    3/30/2026Senate

  12. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    3/25/2026House

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

    3/24/2026House

  14. House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole

    3/20/2026House

  15. House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to Appropriations

    3/11/2026House

  16. Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services

    2/19/2026House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

    PDF

  • Final Act

    PDF

  • House Health & Human Services Preamend

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • Reengrossed

    PDF

  • Rerevised

    PDF

  • Revised

    PDF

  • Senate Health & Human Services Preamend

    PDF

  • Signed Act

    PDF

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