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ColoradoHB26-13872026 Regular SessionHouse

Severance Tax Fund Expenditures

Sponsored By: Barbara Kirkmeyer (Republican), Jeff Bridges (Democratic), Kyle Brown (Democratic), Rick Taggart (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Fiscal Policy & TaxesLocal Government

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Colorado cuts conservation funding for 2026–27

For fiscal year 2026–27, the law cuts the Operational Fund appropriation for the Species Conservation Trust Fund by $3 million. An appropriation below $3 million falls to zero; no appropriation means no cut. This adjustment applies only if the 2026–27 annual general appropriation act becomes law. It takes effect on the later effective date of this law or that appropriation act.

Colorado redirects tax money for conservation

Effective upon passage, the law creates Colorado’s Species Conservation Trust Fund, supported by both severance tax funds and program appropriations. The Colorado Water Conservation Board can direct transfers from the Severance Tax Perpetual Base Fund, capped at $3 million annually. Unused money stays in the conservation fund; to the maximum extent practicable, it spends only accumulated interest. The law removes authority to transfer Severance Tax Trust Fund money to the Water Supply Reserve Fund. It keeps transfer authority for the Interbasin Compact Committee Operation Fund.

Colorado shifts money into its general budget

Beginning April 2027, Colorado’s natural resources director calculates and reports an amount each year. The calculation uses the March revenue forecast used to budget for the next fiscal year. It subtracts current-year funding for specified programs from projected severance tax receipts going into the Operational Fund that year. The reported amount cannot fall below zero. Each June 30, starting in 2027, the Treasurer moves the smaller of that amount or $14.2 million into the General Fund.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Barbara Kirkmeyer

    Republican • Senate

  • Jeff Bridges

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kyle Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Rick Taggart

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 90 • No: 23

Senate vote • 4/16/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 30 • No: 5

Senate vote • 4/14/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1387 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: 43 • No: 18

House vote • 4/7/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1387, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 10 • 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. 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 with Amendments - Committee

    4/9/2026House

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

    4/8/2026House

  13. House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended 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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