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ColoradoSB26-1812026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Works Program Reserves & Cost of Living Adjustment

Sponsored By: Barbara Kirkmeyer (Republican), Judy Amabile (Democratic), Kyle Brown (Democratic), Rick Taggart (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Human Services

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Longer cash aid after 60 months

The law lets counties extend Colorado Works cash help past the 60‑month lifetime cap. You must show good cause under state board rules. Examples include child‑only cases, a single parent with a child under one, or hardship. Counties must follow the statewide rules when granting extensions.

Cash aid freeze, bigger raises later

For the budget years starting July 1, 2026 and July 1, 2027, there is no cost‑of‑living increase to Colorado Works basic cash assistance. Beginning July 1, 2028, payments rise each year by the larger of 2% or the average Social Security cost‑of‑living raise for this year and the two prior years. The freeze rule is repealed on July 31, 2028. These rules apply to applicants and participants.

Fewer backup funds for Colorado Works reserves

The law ends automatic backup funding tied to TANF reserve levels. It removes the 15% trigger that moved state reserve money to county block grants, and the 25% rule that made counties use TANF funds until reserves recovered. It also ends the committee’s quarterly reserve checks, budget reports, and the mitigation fund for counties under a 15% reserve. Counties have fewer built‑in protections when reserves fall.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Barbara Kirkmeyer

    Republican • Senate

  • Judy Amabile

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kyle Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Rick Taggart

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Chad Clifford

    Democratic • House

  • Julie McCluskie

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Meg Froelich

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Manny Rutinel

    Democratic • House

  • Byron Pelton

    Republican • Senate

  • Cathy Kipp

    Democratic • Senate

  • Cleave Simpson

    Republican • Senate

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Janice Rich

    Republican • Senate

  • Kyle Mullica

    Democratic • Senate

  • Byron Pelton

    Republican • Senate

  • Scott Bright

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    6/2/2026House

  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. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    5/11/2026House

  6. House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

    5/9/2026House

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

    5/8/2026House

  8. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

    5/8/2026House

  9. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    5/6/2026Senate

  10. Introduced In House - Assigned to Appropriations

    5/6/2026House

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

    5/5/2026Senate

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

    5/5/2026Senate

  13. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Appropriations

    4/27/2026Senate

Bill Text

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