ColoradoHB26-13732026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Subsidy Limits in Assistance Programs for Children

Sponsored By: Barbara Kirkmeyer (Republican), Emily Sirota (Democratic), Judy Amabile (Democratic), Kyle Brown (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Children & Domestic MattersHuman Services

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

New limits on adoptive and guardian families

Colorado limits monthly payments for adoption and relative guardianship assistance negotiations and contracts taking effect July 1, 2026, or later. Adoption caps are 50% of the foster care rate for youth under 9, 55% for ages 9–13, and 60% for ages 14 and older. Relative guardianship caps are 60%, 65%, and 70% of that rate for those same age groups. Beginning July 1, 2026, services defined in state law section 26-7-102(10) are no longer reimbursable through these programs. The exception is nonrecurring adoption expenses listed in section 26-7-106(2)(c), which remain reimbursable.

Less funding for adoption and guardianship assistance

For Colorado’s 2026–27 budget year, the law cuts adoption and relative guardianship assistance funding: $2.19975 million from the general fund, $407,295 from local funds, and $1.339336 million in expected federal funds. These cuts apply only if the 2026–27 annual budget act becomes law. The general fund cut is not required if the relevant appropriation is absent or below $2.19975 million. The law sets a 90% baseline for state reimbursement to counties, subject to the contract rules starting July 1, 2026. The state can spend beyond appropriations under its general budget authority, and these programs are exempt from allocation caps and the budget close-out process.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Lindsay Gilchrist
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 201 • No: 36

House vote • 4/17/2026

Senate amendments: Repass

Yes: 44 • No: 18

House vote • 4/17/2026

Senate amendments: Concur

Yes: 62 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/16/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 33 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/14/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1373 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

House vote • 4/11/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 46 • No: 14

House vote • 4/7/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1373 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 9 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

Governor Signed
5/27/2026House
Signed by the Speaker of the House
5/22/2026House
Signed by the President of the Senate
5/22/2026Senate
Sent to the Governor
5/22/2026House
House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
4/17/2026House
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
4/16/2026Senate
Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Floor
4/15/2026Senate
Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole
4/14/2026Senate
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Appropriations
4/13/2026Senate
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
4/11/2026House
House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
4/10/2026House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
4/9/2026House
House Second Reading Special Order - Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
4/8/2026House
House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
4/7/2026House
Introduced In House - Assigned to Appropriations
4/2/2026House

Bill Text

Engrossed
PDF
Final Act
PDF
Introduced
PDF
Reengrossed
PDF
Rerevised
PDF
Revised
PDF
Signed Act
PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation