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ColoradoSB26-0202026 Regular SessionSenate

Child Care Provider Licensing & Quality

Sponsored By: Emily Sirota (Democratic), Matt Ball (Democratic), Ryan Gonzalez (Republican), Scott Bright (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Children & Domestic MattersEducation & School Finance (Pre & K-12)

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Priority approvals and capped child care fees

Local authorities must prioritize child care approvals when rules beyond state standards have caused disputes or delays. They must finish as reasonably practical, with a nine-month goal rather than a guaranteed deadline. Fees for approvals required only by local rules must stay within a reasonable maximum set by the state department. The law does not state the dollar cap. Required health and sanitation inspections and related plan reviews by the department or local public health agencies are excluded.

More consistent state child care inspections

Colorado's Department of Early Childhood must set common training, inspection procedures, and supervision for licensing staff and contractors. These standards aim to make licensing decisions and enforcement more consistent statewide. By July 1, 2026, the department must begin replacing outside licensing specialists with department employees where feasible. Required health and sanitation inspections and related plan reviews by the department or local public health agencies are excluded.

Child care providers must update employee records

Colorado's Department of Early Childhood must adopt rules requiring licensed child care facilities to keep employee records current. Facilities must use the department's professional development information system. The law sets no fee or direct payment to families for this requirement.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Emily Sirota

    Democratic • House

  • Matt Ball

    Democratic • Senate

  • Ryan Gonzalez

    Republican • House

  • Scott Bright

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Andrew Boesenecker

    Democratic • House

  • Chad Clifford

    Democratic • House

  • Eliza Hamrick

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer Bacon

    Democratic • House

  • Jamie Jackson

    Democratic • House

  • Julie McCluskie

    Democratic • House

  • Jacque Phillips

    Democratic • House

  • Kyle Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Kenny Nguyen

    Democratic • House

  • Lori Goldstein

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Manny Rutinel

    Democratic • House

  • Sheila Lieder

    Democratic • House

  • Tisha Mauro

    Democratic • House

  • Tammy Story

    Democratic • House

  • Yara Zokaie

    Democratic • House

  • Sen. A. Benavidez

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Cathy Kipp

    Democratic • Senate

  • Iman Jodeh

    Democratic • Senate

  • Judy Amabile

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jeff Bridges

    Democratic • Senate

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Julie Gonzales

    Democratic • Senate

  • Janice Marchman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Katie Wallace

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Cutter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tony Exum

    Democratic • Senate

  • William Lindstedt

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 185 • No: 29

Senate vote • 5/8/2026

House amendments: Repass

Yes: 32 • No: 2

Senate vote • 5/8/2026

House amendments: Concur

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 5/7/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 48 • No: 16

House vote • 5/6/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-020 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 9 • No: 2

House vote • 4/30/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-020 to the Committee on Appropriations.

Yes: 7 • No: 3

House vote • 4/23/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-020, as amended, to the Committee on Finance.

Yes: 11 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 31 • No: 4

Senate vote • 4/10/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-020 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/25/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-020, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    6/1/2026House

  2. Signed by the President of the Senate

    5/22/2026Senate

  3. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    5/22/2026House

  4. Sent to the Governor

    5/22/2026House

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

    5/8/2026Senate

  6. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    5/7/2026House

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

    5/6/2026House

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

    5/6/2026House

  9. House Committee on Finance Refer Unamended to Appropriations

    4/30/2026House

  10. House Committee on Education Refer Amended to Finance

    4/23/2026House

  11. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/13/2026Senate

  12. Introduced In House - Assigned to Education

    4/13/2026House

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

    4/10/2026Senate

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

    4/10/2026Senate

  15. Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/10/2026Senate

  16. Senate Committee on Education Refer Amended to Appropriations

    2/25/2026Senate

  17. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Education

    1/14/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

    PDF

  • Final Act

    PDF

  • House Education Preamend

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • Reengrossed

    PDF

  • Rerevised

    PDF

  • Revised

    PDF

  • Senate Education Preamend

    PDF

  • Signed Act

    PDF

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