ColoradoSB26-0782026 Regular SessionSenate

Changes to Institutions of Higher Education Statutes

Sponsored By: Barbara Kirkmeyer (Republican), Judy Amabile (Democratic), Lesley Smith (Democratic), Rick Taggart (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Capital ConstructionHigher Education

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

State colleges can skip more project reviews

The law raises the review exemption limit for new buildings or property purchases from $2 million to $5 million. Projects must use only institutional cash or funding through the Higher Education Revenue Bond Intercept Program. Other projects funded only with institutional cash remain exempt at $10 million or less. A separate exemption removes commission review or approval for construction or renewal projects funded only with institutional cash, excluding student fees; the college must not have used the bond intercept program for at least five years. Annual project reports use the updated thresholds and list and describe projects with spending in the previous fiscal year.

New building coverage rules for state colleges

The law changes which state college buildings qualify under electrical and plumbing work rules. Coverage includes buildings owned or leased by specified institutions on their campuses. At Auraria, buildings must have been built or fully renovated with funds held by the University of Colorado Denver. That university must currently own, operate, and maintain them. The listed addresses are 1380 Lawrence Street, 1250 Fourteenth Street, 1475 Lawrence Street, 1191 Larimer Street, 1201 Larimer Street, and 1355 Twelfth Street.

University of Colorado gets looser bond rules

For these revenue bonds, the University of Colorado must identify pledged revenue sources and assess whether they cover yearly principal and interest. It must review those sources annually and take board-required action when revenue falls short. The law removes the former 125% debt-payment coverage rule and 10% debt-payment cap. It also removes specified reserve requirements, state auditor approval of analysis assumptions, and yearly compliance reports to the auditor.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Kyle Brown
Democratic • House
Kenny Nguyen
Democratic • House
Monica Duran
Democratic • House
Sheila Lieder
Democratic • House
Byron Pelton
Republican • Senate
Chris Kolker
Democratic • Senate
James Coleman
Democratic • Senate
Janice Marchman
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 205 • No: 2

Senate vote • 5/13/2026

House amendments: Concur

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/13/2026

House amendments: Repass

Yes: 35 • No: 0

House vote • 5/12/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 63 • No: 2

House vote • 5/9/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-078, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 11 • No: 0

House vote • 4/30/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-078, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.

Yes: 13 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/20/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/17/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-078, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/2/2026