All Roll Calls
Yes: 169 • No: 76
ColoradoSB25-0042025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Regulating Child Care Center Fees
Sponsored By: Faith Winter, Janice Marchman (Democratic), Jenny Willford (Democratic), Lorena Garcia (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Children & Domestic Matters
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Clearer child care fees for families
Beginning January 1, 2026, programs must share fee schedules and refund steps with prospective families at wait-list signup, registration, and request. Enrolled families must receive them at enrollment and whenever either changes; programs may post the information on their websites. Colorado’s Department of Early Childhood must check compliance during inspections or after fee complaints filed through its complaint process. Programs get 30 days after an inspection to fix violations before possible further discipline. The department cannot discipline good-faith administrative errors or first violations, and enforcement must focus on deliberate violations. A referendum petition delays the challenged rules until voter approval at the November 2026 general election and the governor’s official declaration of the vote.
Fee caps and refunds for families
Beginning January 1, 2026, Colorado caps application fees and one-time wait-list fees at $25 each. These rules cover child care centers, family child care homes, and neighborhood youth organizations. Families not enrolled within six months after paying application, deposit, or wait-list fees can request refunds in writing. Programs deduct a reasonable administrative fee set by the Department of Early Childhood; no refund is required after families refuse an offered slot. Deposits securing guaranteed positions must count toward tuition after families accept services. A referendum petition delays the challenged rules until voter approval at the November 2026 general election and the governor’s official declaration of the vote.
Some family fees fall outside protections
Beginning January 1, 2026, the new child care fee protections have two exclusions. After a family enrolls and signs a contract, that contract’s terms and fees fall outside these rules. Fees to hold a slot already offered to a family also fall outside these rules. A referendum petition delays the challenged rules until voter approval at the November 2026 general election and the governor’s official declaration of the vote.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Faith Winter
Affiliation unavailable
Janice Marchman
Democratic • Senate
Jenny Willford
Democratic • House
Lorena Garcia
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Andrew Boesenecker
Democratic • House
Alex Valdez
Democratic • House
Brianna Titone
Democratic • House
Eliza Hamrick
Democratic • House
Kyle Brown
Democratic • House
Lindsay Gilchrist
Democratic • House
Monica Duran
Democratic • House
Meg Froelich
Democratic • House
Mandy Lindsay
Democratic • House
Manny Rutinel
Democratic • House
Sean Camacho
Democratic • House
Sheila Lieder
Democratic • House
Steven Woodrow
Democratic • House
Tammy Story
Democratic • House
Chris Kolker
Democratic • Senate
Dafna Michaelson Jenet
Democratic • Senate
Iman Jodeh
Democratic • Senate
Judy Amabile
Democratic • Senate
Jeff Bridges
Democratic • Senate
James Coleman
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Cutter
Democratic • Senate
Nick Hinrichsen
Democratic • Senate
Tony Exum
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/18/2025
House amendments: Repass
Yes: 21 • No: 12
Senate vote • 3/17/2025
House amendments: Repass
Yes: 23 • No: 11
Senate vote • 3/17/2025
House amendments: Concur
Yes: 34 • No: 0
House vote • 3/13/2025
Third reading: Bill
Yes: 38 • No: 22
House vote • 3/11/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-004 to the Committee of the Whole.
Yes: 9 • No: 4
Senate vote • 2/20/2025
Third reading: Bill
Yes: 21 • No: 12
Senate vote • 2/20/2025
Third reading: Bill
Yes: 19 • No: 12
Senate vote • 2/11/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-004, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
Yes: 4 • No: 3
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/26/2025HouseSigned by the President of the Senate
3/20/2025SenateSigned by the Speaker of the House
3/20/2025HouseSent to the Governor
3/20/2025HouseSenate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
3/18/2025SenateHouse Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
3/13/2025HouseHouse Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Floor
3/12/2025HouseHouse Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
3/11/2025HouseSenate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
2/20/2025SenateIntroduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services
2/20/2025HouseSenate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
2/19/2025SenateSenate Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
2/18/2025SenateSenate Second Reading Laid Over to 02/18/2025 - No Amendments
2/14/2025SenateSenate Committee on Business, Labor, & Technology Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole
2/11/2025SenateIntroduced In Senate - Assigned to Business, Labor, & Technology
1/8/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Final Act
Introduced
Reengrossed
Rerevised
Revised
Senate Business, Labor, & Technology Preamend
Signed Act