# Colorado SB26-142: Development of Thermal Energy Resources Colorado SB26-142, Development of Thermal Energy Resources, is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Cathy Kipp (Democratic), Junie Joseph (Democratic), Matt Ball (Democratic) and 1 others; status signed, last action 2026-06-01 (Governor Signed) (as of 2026-10-19). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/CO-SB26-142-2026A - As of: 2026-10-19 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Colorado SB26-142 - State: Colorado - Session: 2026 Regular Session - Title: Development of Thermal Energy Resources - Status: signed - Chamber: Senate - Introduced: 2026-03-19 - Last action: 2026-06-01, Governor Signed - Sponsors: Cathy Kipp (Democratic), Junie Joseph (Democratic), Matt Ball (Democratic), Ryan Gonzalez (Republican) - Cosponsors: 25 - Subjects: Business & Economic Development, Energy, Local Government - Touches household money: no - Roll calls: 6 (157 yes, 26 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 9 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Wage and training protections for geothermal workers: benefit, medium. Beginning August 12, 2026, geothermal projects authorized under this law must follow prevailing-wage rules when classified as energy sector public works. These projects must also meet state apprenticeship-use requirements and other required labor standards. The protections cover workers on qualifyi… - Colorado studies support for geothermal development: benefit, low. The Energy and Carbon Management Commission must recommend ways to support safe geothermal development and consult knowledgeable state agencies. Recommendations may consider a nonregulatory authority to support public-private partnerships, federal funding, and financial risk protection. Possible su… - Community geothermal gardens get higher capacity limits: benefit, low. Beginning August 12, 2026, community geothermal gardens can have up to 25 megawatts of net electric generating capacity. This replaces the prior 5-megawatt nameplate limit and approvals allowing up to 10 megawatts. Projects can be larger, but 25 megawatts remains the fixed ceiling for this category… - Free geothermal data with privacy protections: benefit, low. The Energy and Carbon Management Commission and Colorado Geological Survey must help collect geothermal data when funding or donations are available. They can use existing wells where feasible, or new wells when funded, and must provide free, searchable public access. Collection must respect proper… - Local governments can arrange shared heating: benefit, low. Beginning August 12, 2026, local governments and special districts can combine thermal energy demand, including demand from willing private participants. This demand-sharing activity is not regulated as a utility. Local governments can sign service agreements lasting up to 25 years, with government… - Local network financing keeps voter safeguards: benefit, low. Local governments already allowed to issue bonds can finance thermal networks and customer connections. Network bonds issued under this authority must be repaid solely from network revenue, not as general government obligations. Any general obligation bonds remain subject to constitutional and lega… - Some thermal operators avoid utility oversight: mixed, low. Eligible private companies can operate, maintain, or manage thermal networks for local governments without being treated as utilities. Their work is generally outside Public Utilities Commission oversight. This exemption excludes commission-regulated utilities and public utility affiliates. The law… - Utilities review larger geothermal projects and costs: mixed, low. Beginning August 12, 2026, investor-owned electric utilities considering geothermal projects over 25 megawatts must seek bids, targeting no more than 300 megawatts. Each utility can submit only one application through this process and must apply within 120 days after bidding ends if a bid arrives.… - Utilities review smaller geothermal projects and costs: mixed, low. Beginning August 12, 2026, investor-owned electric utilities must identify geothermal opportunities of 25 megawatts or less and seek bids when considering development. After receiving a bid, utilities must apply within 120 days after the solicitation ends. The Public Utilities Commission must act w… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Cathy Kipp (Democratic), Senate - Sponsor: Junie Joseph (Democratic), House - Sponsor: Matt Ball (Democratic), Senate - Sponsor: Ryan Gonzalez (Republican), House - Cosponsor: Amy Paschal (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Bob Marshall (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Gretchen Rydin (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Jennifer Bacon (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Jamie Jackson (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Julie McCluskie (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Jacque Phillips (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Karen McCormick (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Kenny Nguyen (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Lori Goldstein (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Lesley Smith (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Monica Duran (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Manny Rutinel (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Sen. A. Benavidez - Cosponsor: Dylan Roberts (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Iman Jodeh (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Judy Amabile (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Jeff Bridges (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: James Coleman (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Kyle Mullica (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Lisa Cutter (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Lindsey Daugherty (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Marc Snyder (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Tony Exum (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: William Lindstedt (Democratic), Senate ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-05-05 | Senate | House amendments: Repass | pass | 25 | 7 | | | 2026-05-05 | Senate | House amendments: Concur | pass | 32 | 0 | | | 2026-05-04 | House | Third reading: Bill | pass | 55 | 10 | | | 2026-04-30 | House | Refer Senate Bill 26-142, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. | pass | 13 | 0 | | | 2026-04-28 | Senate | Third reading: Bill | pass | 27 | 7 | | | 2026-04-22 | Senate | Refer Senate Bill 26-142, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. | pass | 5 | 2 | | ## Actions (13) - 2026-06-01: Governor Signed (House) - 2026-05-22: Signed by the President of the Senate (Senate) - 2026-05-22: Signed by the Speaker of the House (House) - 2026-05-22: Sent to the Governor (House) - 2026-05-05: Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass (Senate) - 2026-05-04: House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments (House) - 2026-05-01: House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee (House) - 2026-04-30: House Committee on Energy & Environment Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole (House) - 2026-04-28: Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments (Senate) - 2026-04-28: Introduced In House - Assigned to Energy & Environment (House) - 2026-04-27: Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee (Senate) - 2026-04-22: Senate Committee on Transportation & Energy Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole (Senate) - 2026-03-19: Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Transportation & Energy (Senate) ## Bill text - Engrossed: [PDF](https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/115265/download) - Final Act: [PDF](https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/116612/download) - House Energy & Environment Preamend: [PDF](https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/115603/download) - Introduced: [PDF](https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/113490/download) - Reengrossed: [PDF](https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/115328/download) - Rerevised: [PDF](https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/115722/download) - Revised: [PDF](https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/115641/download) - Senate Transportation & Energy Preamend: [PDF](https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/115148/download) - Signed Act: [PDF](https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/116927/download) ## Related bills - HB26-1298: Background Checks for Child Welfare Placements (signed) - HB26-1250: Procedures Related to Civil Asset Forfeiture (signed) - HB26-1414: Medical Record Requests (signed) - HB26-1430: Transportation Funding Adjustments (signed) - SB26-155: Increase Access Homeowner's Insurance Enterprise (signed) - HB26-1429: County Administration Public Assistance Programs (signed) ## Sources - [Engrossed (PDF)](https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/115265/download) - [Final Act (PDF)](https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/116612/download) - [House Energy & Environment Preamend (PDF)](https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/115603/download) - [Introduced (PDF)](https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/113490/download) - [Reengrossed (PDF)](https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/115328/download) - [Rerevised (PDF)](https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/115722/download) - [Revised (PDF)](https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/115641/download) - [Senate Transportation & Energy Preamend (PDF)](https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/115148/download) - [Signed Act (PDF)](https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/116927/download) ## Related - [HB26-1298: Background Checks for Child Welfare Placements](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/CO-HB26-1298-2026A) - [HB26-1250: Procedures Related to Civil Asset Forfeiture](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/CO-HB26-1250-2026A) - [HB26-1414: Medical Record Requests](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/CO-HB26-1414-2026A) - [HB26-1430: Transportation Funding Adjustments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/CO-HB26-1430-2026A) - [SB26-155: Increase Access Homeowner's Insurance Enterprise](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/CO-SB26-155-2026A) - [HB26-1429: County Administration Public Assistance Programs](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/CO-HB26-1429-2026A) - [Colorado bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/colorado/bills) - [Colorado state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/colorado) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/CO-SB26-142-2026A (as of 2026-10-19).