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ColoradoHB26-13822026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Support of Coloradans with Disabilities

Sponsored By: Emily Sirota (Democratic), Jeff Bridges (Democratic), Judy Amabile (Democratic), Kyle Brown (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

State Government

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.

New help navigating disability benefits and work

Beginning July 1, 2027, the Colorado Disability Funding Authority must fund help navigating disability benefits, health care, and employment. Eligible providers include qualifying Colorado nonprofits and Independent Living Centers with disability-inclusive governance or grant oversight. Public agencies must contract with qualifying organizations. Awards can last up to three years and require annual performance measures and quarterly spending reports. The authority must seek statewide coverage, prioritize need, and consider cost, ease of access, agency cooperation, and keeping people employed.

More funding for disability employment services

For state fiscal year 2026–27, the law provides $1 million from the Disability Support Fund for vocational rehabilitation. The money goes to the labor department’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Independent Living Services. These services help people with disabilities pursue work and independent living. The spending authority requires legislative funding approval and ends July 1, 2027. This funding does not guarantee an individual payment or services.

New authority for disability parking education

Beginning July 1, 2027, the authority may fund or run disability parking education when adequate funding is available. Programs can explain who qualifies, proper use of reserved spaces, legal standards, and volunteer enforcement. The authority may also train professionals on standards for getting disability plates or placards. No funding amount is specified.

New grants for disability independence projects

Beginning July 1, 2027, the authority must review proposals for disability innovation projects when adequate funding is available. It may award grants for studies or pilots that improve independence or quality of life. Projects must show they can support themselves or secure long-term independent funding. Applicants must meet disability-community requirements for governance, grant oversight, or sole-proprietor ownership.

Startup money for Colorado disability programs

By October 1, 2026, the State Treasurer must send $523,343 from the Disability Support Fund to the new authority. Disability Support Fund money for direct and indirect program implementation costs requires annual legislative approval. Revenue from uniquely valuable vehicle registration numbers goes into an account with ongoing spending authority to pay the contracting entity. For fiscal year 2026–27, the law also provides $27,000 from the Disability Support Fund for motor vehicle system maintenance and support. These amounts fund operations, not direct household payments.

Retired-style plates carry fees and production limits

Eligible retired-style plates carry regular plate taxes and fees, plus a $25 annual charge through September 30, 2026. Beginning October 1, 2026, issuance or replacement costs an extra $22.50 donation and $2.50 fee; each annual renewal has the same charges. Donations go to the Colorado Disability Funding Authority, while fees go to the Disability Support Fund. After January 1, 2028, the revenue department may stop producing styles with insufficient demand, considering buyers’ willingness to cover production costs. The disability funding committee no longer must pay design costs before production; the law does not name a replacement payer.

Existing disability parking program loses funding

The existing disabled parking education program and its education and enforcement fund end July 1, 2026. On June 30, 2026, the fund’s remaining unspent, uncommitted money transfers to the general fund. State and local authorities no longer must send half of covered reserved-parking fines to that fund, including similar local offenses. For fiscal year 2026–27, the law cuts $100,000 from that fund’s appropriation for Colorado Disability Opportunity Office operations. No cut is required if the annual budget omits that appropriation or provides less than $100,000.

Disability funds move to general budget

On June 30, 2026, the State Treasurer must transfer $21 million from the Disability Support Fund to the general fund. This removes money from the dedicated disability fund. The law does not specify resulting changes to anyone’s benefits or services.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Emily Sirota

    Democratic • House

  • Jeff Bridges

    Democratic • Senate

  • Judy Amabile

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kyle Brown

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Lindsay Gilchrist

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Yara Zokaie

    Democratic • House

  • Katie Wallace

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 105 • No: 8

Senate vote • 4/16/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 33 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/14/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1382 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

House vote • 4/11/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 56 • No: 5

House vote • 4/7/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1382 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 9 • No: 1

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. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/16/2026Senate

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

    4/15/2026Senate

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

    4/14/2026Senate

  8. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Appropriations

    4/13/2026Senate

  9. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/11/2026House

  10. House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

    4/10/2026House

  11. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

    4/9/2026House

  12. House Second Reading Special Order - Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

    4/8/2026House

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

    4/7/2026House

  14. Introduced In House - Assigned to Appropriations

    4/2/2026House

Bill Text

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