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ColoradoHB26-13912026 Regular SessionHouse

Safe Drinking Water in Child Care Centers & Schools

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

Signed by Governor

Public HealthWater

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More clean-water help for schools and childcare

Colorado expands clean-water reimbursement eligibility from preschool–grade 8 to preschool–grade 12 schools. Schools, child care centers, and family child care homes can receive help with testing, repairs, filters, and other compliance costs. Reimbursements depend on available money, with priority for schools serving grades 6–12. The law provides $8.7 million for budget year 2026–27, assuming seven additional full-time staff positions. The health department's Water Quality Control Division receives this funding; unspent money remains available for the same work through 2028–29. The program's repeal date moves from June 30, 2026, to June 30, 2029; related lead-testing laws also expire then. Fund balances carry over each year, but money remaining on June 29, 2029, returns to the state's general fund. The law also removes an earlier required report and recommendations about expanding the program.

Childcare licenses require lead-testing compliance

Child care centers cannot receive or renew a license unless they comply with drinking-water lead-testing requirements. Colorado's early childhood department must adopt rules by July 1, 2027, explaining how centers prove compliance. This ties drinking-water protections for children to centers' ability to keep operating.

School lead testing expands with training

Subject to available state funding, eligible schools serving grades 9–12 must test drinking-water sources for lead by May 31, 2027. The grades 6–8 deadline is November 30, 2024; the earlier baseline deadline remains May 31, 2023. Testing must use a state-certified lab and follow federal lead-testing rules and sampling guidance. Colorado's health department must train schools serving grades 9–12 within 180 days after the training provision takes effect. Training covers filter care, flushing, testing, reporting, and compliance; it helps schools meet their required testing duties.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Barbara Kirkmeyer

    Republican • Senate

  • Emily Sirota

    Democratic • House

  • Judy Amabile

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kyle Brown

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Andrew Boesenecker

    Democratic • House

  • Alex Valdez

    Democratic • House

  • Bob Marshall

    Democratic • House

  • Brianna Titone

    Democratic • House

  • Chad Clifford

    Democratic • House

  • Cecelia Espenoza

    Democratic • House

  • Eliza Hamrick

    Democratic • House

  • Elizabeth Velasco

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer Bacon

    Democratic • House

  • Junie Joseph

    Democratic • House

  • Jenny Willford

    Democratic • House

  • Kenny Nguyen

    Democratic • House

  • Katie Stewart

    Democratic • House

  • Lindsay Gilchrist

    Democratic • House

  • Lesley Smith

    Democratic • House

  • Michael Carter

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Matthew Martinez

    Democratic • House

  • Naquetta Ricks

    Democratic • House

  • Regina English

    Democratic • House

  • Sean Camacho

    Democratic • House

  • Sheila Lieder

    Democratic • House

  • Tammy Story

    Democratic • House

  • Yara Zokaie

    Democratic • House

  • Sen. A. Benavidez

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Cathy Kipp

    Democratic • Senate

  • Chris Kolker

    Democratic • Senate

  • Iman Jodeh

    Democratic • Senate

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jessie Danielson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Julie Gonzales

    Democratic • Senate

  • Janice Marchman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Katie Wallace

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Cutter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Weissman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Nick Hinrichsen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tony Exum

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 100 • No: 14

Senate vote • 4/16/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 33 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/14/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1391 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: 50 • No: 11

House vote • 4/6/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1391 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 10 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    5/28/2026House

  2. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    5/26/2026House

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    5/26/2026Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor

    5/26/2026House

  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 - Floor

    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

    4/6/2026House

  14. Introduced In House - Assigned to Appropriations

    4/2/2026House

Bill Text

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