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ColoradoSB26-0162026 Regular SessionSenate

Prohibit Discharge Preproduction Plastic Materials

Sponsored By: Katie Wallace (Democratic), Lesley Smith (Democratic), Lisa Cutter (Democratic), Meghan Lukens (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Natural Resources & EnvironmentPublic HealthWater

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Colorado facilities face plastic discharge bans

Beginning August 12, 2027, Colorado facilities that make, use, package, or transport raw plastic materials face new discharge bans. Covered materials include virgin or recycled pellets, flakes, fibers, powders, and powdered coloring before they become finished products. Facilities cannot release these materials into state waters, wastewater, stormwater, or other runoff. Colorado's Water Quality Control Division cannot issue permits allowing these releases into state waters. Land application is banned at sites without federal interim status, a federal permit, or a Colorado health department permit. The bans exclude treatment works defined under federal law and materials from the breakdown of finished or otherwise useful plastic products. A referendum petition filed within 90 days after final adjournment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election. With that approval, the effective date remains August 12, 2027; the rules cover conduct on or after the applicable effective date.

Colorado narrows criminal pollution discharge offenses

Beginning August 12, 2027, violating the new raw-plastic discharge ban is a basis for criminal pollution enforcement. A person must act recklessly, knowingly, intentionally, or with criminal negligence to face that enforcement. The law also removes previously listed discharge-related grounds, including permit, cleanup-order, cease-and-desist-order, and pretreatment violations. This concentrates the criminal discharge rule on the new plastic ban; the provided text states no penalty amount. The change covers conduct on or after the applicable effective date and is subject to the law's referendum procedure.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Katie Wallace

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lesley Smith

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Cutter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Meghan Lukens

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Andrew Boesenecker

    Democratic • House

  • Brianna Titone

    Democratic • House

  • Cecelia Espenoza

    Democratic • House

  • Emily Sirota

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer Bacon

    Democratic • House

  • Jamie Jackson

    Democratic • House

  • Javier Mabrey

    Democratic • House

  • Julie McCluskie

    Democratic • House

  • Jacque Phillips

    Democratic • House

  • Kyle Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Karen McCormick

    Democratic • House

  • Kenny Nguyen

    Democratic • House

  • Katie Stewart

    Democratic • House

  • Lorena Garcia

    Democratic • House

  • Lori Goldstein

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Meg Froelich

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Manny Rutinel

    Democratic • House

  • Cathy Kipp

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dylan Roberts

    Democratic • Senate

  • Iman Jodeh

    Democratic • Senate

  • Judy Amabile

    Democratic • Senate

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Janice Marchman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Weissman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tom Sullivan

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 128 • No: 48

Senate vote • 3/18/2026

House amendments: Concur

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/18/2026

House amendments: Repass

Yes: 22 • No: 12

House vote • 3/17/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 41 • No: 18

House vote • 3/11/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-016, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 7 • No: 4

Senate vote • 2/17/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 19 • No: 11

Senate vote • 2/4/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-016, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 5 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    3/30/2026House

  2. Signed by the President of the Senate

    3/20/2026Senate

  3. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    3/20/2026House

  4. Sent to the Governor

    3/20/2026House

  5. Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass

    3/18/2026Senate

  6. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    3/17/2026House

  7. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee

    3/16/2026House

  8. House Committee on Energy & Environment Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole

    3/11/2026House

  9. Introduced In House - Assigned to Energy & Environment

    2/18/2026House

  10. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    2/17/2026Senate

  11. Senate Third Reading Laid Over to 02/17/2026 - No Amendments

    2/13/2026Senate

  12. Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor

    2/12/2026Senate

  13. Senate Second Reading Laid Over to 02/12/2026 - No Amendments

    2/10/2026Senate

  14. Senate Second Reading Laid Over to 02/10/2026 - No Amendments

    2/9/2026Senate

  15. Senate Committee on Transportation & Energy Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole

    2/4/2026Senate

  16. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Transportation & Energy

    1/14/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

    PDF

  • Final Act

    PDF

  • House Energy & Environment Preamend

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • Reengrossed

    PDF

  • Rerevised

    PDF

  • Revised

    PDF

  • Senate Transportation & Energy Preamend

    PDF

  • Signed Act

    PDF

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