ColoradoSB26-0322026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Promoting Immunization Access

Sponsored By: Kyle Brown (Democratic), Kyle Mullica (Democratic), Lindsey Daugherty (Democratic), Lisa Feret (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Education & School Finance (Pre & K-12)Health Care & Health InsuranceProfessions & Occupations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

Full insurance coverage for HPV vaccines

Colorado health policies and contracts covered by this law must pay the full cost of recommended human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Coverage applies to everyone for whom the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends the vaccine, regardless of gender. If ACIP stops recommending HPV vaccination, the insurance commissioner can require continued coverage by rule.

New limits on adult vaccine lawsuits

The Adult Immunization Act applies to people age 18 and older. Vaccine administrators have injury-liability protection when they follow specified medical recommendations, use accepted methods, and have no medical contraindication. When federal vaccine injury law covers the vaccine or immunizing agent, claimants must exhaust its compensation process before suing. For injuries or deaths outside the federal injury table, the law presumes the vaccine or agent did not cause the harm. Claimants can overcome that presumption by proving causation is more likely than not.

Vaccine injury protections change in 2029

The law limits injury claims involving handling, storage, or distribution of covered childhood vaccines and adult vaccines or immunizing agents. For claims filed through January 30, 2029, protection covers hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, manufacturers, wholesalers, and providers. An exception applies when an employee negligently fails to follow recognized public-health standards. Starting January 31, 2029, protection covers hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and providers—not manufacturers or wholesalers—with an exception for the entity's negligent failure to follow those standards. The earlier subsections are repealed July 1, 2031.

Adult vaccines through naturopathic doctors

Naturopathic doctors can obtain, dispense, administer, order, or prescribe vaccines only for patients age 18 or older. They must follow ACIP guidance or State Board of Health rules. They cannot treat children younger than 2. For children ages 2 through 7, they must give parents or guardians the current immunization schedule and recommend following it.

Broader state vaccine purchasing for children

Colorado's public health department can negotiate for and buy vaccines adopted by the State Board of Health or nationally recommended. Recognized sources include ACIP and national pediatric, family medicine, obstetric and gynecologic, and internal medicine groups. The health coverage department can buy recommended vaccines for children enrolled in the Children's Basic Health Plan once a purchasing system exists. That system treats vaccines as equivalent when these groups recommend them for comparable populations. These powers do not guarantee a vaccine or a payment to any family.

Pharmacists can prescribe vaccines for teens

Pharmacists can independently prescribe vaccines for patients age 12 and older. Prescribing must follow Food and Drug Administration labeling, including the vaccine's approved ages. The Board of Pharmacy must review vaccine record-keeping rules by September 1, 2026. It must repeal or amend duplicate, inconsistent, or outdated rules.

Vaccine reminders for individuals and families

Colorado health officials or their contractor can identify due or overdue shots using national vaccine and medical-group recommendations. They can contact people in the immunization tracking system, or their parents or guardians, about those shots. They must make contact when needed to control an outbreak or prevent a vaccine-preventable disease from spreading.

Vaccine support for underinsured sixth-grade children

Colorado must pay local public health agencies' administrative costs for giving cervical cancer vaccines to underinsured minors entering sixth grade. This support is no longer limited to girls. Payments go to the agencies, not families. The program's HPV vaccine series also includes prevention of other cancers identified by the State Board of Health. The board's decision must follow recognized medical practice.

Child vaccine rules limit injury claims

The State Board of Health must set required vaccines for the infant immunization program, considering recommendations from named national medical groups. The law itself does not list those vaccines. People giving required vaccines to infants or children have protection from liability for resulting injuries when statutory safeguards are met. Vaccination must follow the CDC or state board schedule, use accepted clinical methods, and have no medical contraindication. This protection limits families' ability to recover damages from qualifying vaccine administrators.

State vaccine funding needs budget review

If federal funds are not received for the covered immunization programs, Colorado must address additional state funding needs through its annual budget process. The law does not itself provide a dollar amount or guarantee replacement state money.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Andrew Boesenecker
Democratic • House
Amy Paschal
Democratic • House
Alex Valdez
Democratic • House
Chad Clifford
Democratic • House
Eliza Hamrick
Democratic • House
Emily Sirota
Democratic • House
Gretchen Rydin
Democratic • House
Javier Mabrey
Democratic • House
Julie McCluskie
Democratic • House
Jacque Phillips
Democratic • House
Karen McCormick
Democratic • House
Kenny Nguyen
Democratic • House
Katie Stewart
Democratic • House
Lorena Garcia
Democratic • House
Lindsay Gilchrist
Democratic • House
Lori Goldstein
Democratic • House
Lesley Smith
Democratic • House
Michael Carter
Democratic • House
Monica Duran
Democratic • House
Meg Froelich
Democratic • House
Mandy Lindsay
Democratic • House
Meghan Lukens
Democratic • House
Manny Rutinel
Democratic • House
Naquetta Ricks
Democratic • House
Rebekah Stewart
Democratic • House
Sean Camacho
Democratic • House
Sheila Lieder
Democratic • House
Steven Woodrow
Democratic • House
Tammy Story
Democratic • House
Yara Zokaie
Democratic • House
Cathy Kipp
Democratic • Senate
Chris Kolker
Democratic • Senate
Iman Jodeh
Democratic • Senate
Judy Amabile
Democratic • Senate
James Coleman
Democratic • Senate
Julie Gonzales
Democratic • Senate
Janice Marchman
Democratic • Senate
Katie Wallace
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Cutter
Democratic • Senate
Matt Ball
Democratic • Senate
Marc Snyder
Democratic • Senate
Mike Weissman
Democratic • Senate
Tony Exum
Democratic • Senate
Tom Sullivan
Democratic • Senate
William Lindstedt
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 183 • No: 151

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 • 3/16/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 43 • No: 19

House vote • 3/13/2026

Committee of the whole: Amd (h.001)

Yes: 19 • No: 40

House vote • 3/13/2026

Committee of the whole: Amd (h.002)

Yes: 19 • No: 40

House vote • 2/25/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-032, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 8 • No: 5

Senate vote • 2/5/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 20 • No: 12

Senate vote • 2/4/2026

Committee of the whole: Cow * (s.001)

Yes: 12 • No: 20

Senate vote • 1/29/2026