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ColoradoHB26-13242026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Sunset Division of Professions & Occupations

Sponsored By: Karen McCormick (Democratic), Lindsay Gilchrist (Democratic), Lindsey Daugherty (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Professions & OccupationsState Government

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 5 mixed.

Higher renewal fees for licensed professionals

Colorado's added credential renewal fee rises from $1 to $2 for each year of the renewal period. That means $1 more per year for each covered license, registration, or certificate. Nurse aides are exempt. The fees fund a legal defense account used only for regulators' legal expenses. The division director can distribute that money to regulators as needed.

Licensing notices expand to email delivery

Colorado regulators can email licensing communications, including disciplinary letters, complaints, citations, and notices. Specified emailed notices require receipt confirmation within seven calendar days. Without confirmation, regulators must use the required mail or personal-service alternative. An emailed notice can start a psychiatric technician education program's one-year period to fix cited problems. Podiatrists must receive complaint notice within 30 days and have 30 days to respond. Covered investigation and proceeding records generally remain private until a board majority or its designee votes to pursue discipline. Public disclosure also requires a formal complaint to be drafted and served by first-class mail or email.

License holders face changed challenge deadlines

Colorado license, certificate, and registration holders have 25 calendar days after an admonition letter is issued to challenge it. They must request formal disciplinary proceedings in writing to decide the conduct behind the letter. Previously, the deadline was 20 days after receipt. The stated period is longer, but it now starts before the letter necessarily arrives.

New engineer licensing routes carry fees

Engineers enrolled or licensed elsewhere can seek Colorado intern enrollment or professional licensing through endorsement, using their existing credentials. Applicants need good standing and substantially equivalent qualifications, or must have met Colorado's requirements when first enrolled or licensed elsewhere. They must complete an application, receive board approval, and meet other applicable Colorado qualifications. Both endorsement applications carry fees set by the board; the law does not specify dollar amounts.

New surveyor licensing routes carry fees

Surveyor interns and licensed surveyors from elsewhere gain Colorado enrollment or licensing routes based on their existing credentials. Applicants need good standing and substantially equivalent qualifications, or must have met Colorado's requirements when first enrolled or licensed elsewhere. Interns need a completed application and board approval; all applicants must meet other applicable Colorado qualifications. Professional surveyors must pass both the board-adopted exam and the Colorado law exam. Both routes carry application fees, with no dollar amounts specified. The scheduled fee start is August 12, 2026, based on May 13 adjournment and the 90-day waiting period. A referendum petition delays effectiveness until voter approval at the November 2026 election and the governor's declaration of the vote.

Licensing regulators gain limited delegation powers

Colorado licensing regulators can assign routine administrative work that follows fixed standards and needs no significant judgment. Disciplinary actions do not count as routine administrative work; board or commission policy can authorize other delegated tasks. Delegated actions not executed by the director need approval at the next board or commission meeting. Starting a hearing on an order to explain conduct, or seeking an injunction, requires specific criteria for the delegate.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Karen McCormick

    Democratic • House

  • Lindsay Gilchrist

    Democratic • House

  • Lindsey Daugherty

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Bob Marshall

    Democratic • House

  • Julie McCluskie

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Cathy Kipp

    Democratic • Senate

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 199 • No: 53

House vote • 5/13/2026

Senate amendments: Repass

Yes: 44 • No: 21

House vote • 5/13/2026

Senate amendments: Concur

Yes: 65 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/12/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 29 • No: 6

Senate vote • 5/11/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1324, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/30/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1324 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

Yes: 5 • No: 0

House vote • 4/16/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 40 • No: 22

House vote • 3/24/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1324, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 9 • No: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    6/2/2026House

  2. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    6/1/2026House

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    6/1/2026Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/1/2026House

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

    5/13/2026House

  6. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    5/12/2026Senate

  7. Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole

    5/11/2026Senate

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

    5/11/2026Senate

  9. Senate Committee on Business, Labor, & Technology Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole

    4/30/2026Senate

  10. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Business, Labor, & Technology

    4/21/2026Senate

  11. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/16/2026House

  12. House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

    4/14/2026House

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

    4/13/2026House

  14. House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

    3/27/2026House

  15. House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole

    3/24/2026House

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

    3/6/2026House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

    PDF

  • Final Act

    PDF

  • House Health & Human Services Preamend

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • Reengrossed

    PDF

  • Rerevised

    PDF

  • Revised

    PDF

  • Senate Appropriations Preamend

    PDF

  • Signed Act

    PDF

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