Hannah Metzger
Audio By Carbonatix
New year, new laws.
Twenty state laws passed during Colorado’s 2025 legislative session will take effect on Thursday, January 1. The new policies range from regulations on food trucks and firearm sellers to insurance coverage for abortion and mental health services.
Westword compiled a handy list of some of the laws that will impact Colorado residents the most in the new year, whether to understand updated hunting restrictions or to explain upcoming changes to your lease.
Here are ten new state laws that Coloradans should know about in 2026:
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Deceptive Pricing Ban
Beginning on Thursday, House Bill 25-1090 will prohibit certain hidden fees and service charges to make pricing more transparent. The law requires businesses to advertise the total price that buyers will pay for goods and services upfront, including any mandatory fees besides shipping and taxes. This will also apply to properties, meaning landlords must clearly list additional charges, like trash and pest control fees, in addition to the cost of rent.
Minimum Wage Increases
Colorado’s minimum wage will increase from $14.81 to $15.16 in 2026, or from $11.79 to $12.14 for tipped employees. In Denver, the minimum wage will increase from $18.81 to $19.29, and from $15.79 to $16.27 for tipped employees. This isn’t a new law, but the state and city governments adjust their minimum wages each year based on the Consumer Price Index.
Food Truck Regulations
Denver residents might see more food trucks around town in 2026 after the enactment of House Bill 25-1295. The law will allow food trucks to operate in Denver with a standard statewide license, rather than the Denver-specific license previously required. The measure will also make it easier for food trucks to comply with fire regulations in different jurisdictions, allowing operators to take fire safety permits from city to city.
Renter Protections
Colorado renters will have a better shot at getting their security deposits back with House Bill 25-1249. The law will expand the definition of “normal wear and tear” to include reasonable damage and uncleanliness. It also prohibits landlords from keeping security deposits to address damage that existed before the tenant moved in and requires landlords to conduct walk-through inspections with tenants upon request, among other changes.
A second new law is also aimed at protecting renters. House Bill 25-1236 will specify that renters using a housing subsidy do not have to include a credit history report, credit score or adverse credit event with their tenant screening report.
Bristlecone Shooting, Training & Retail Center
Gun Seller Restrictions
Two new laws regarding firearm businesses will take effect on Thursday. House Bill 25-1238 will establish new safety requirements for gun shows, including that organizers verify purchased firearms comply with the state’s three-day waiting period law, that minors are not allowed inside without a parent or guardian, and that gun shows have liability insurance and implement security plans that are submitted to law enforcement.
Senate Bill 25-158 will regulate where state agencies purchase guns. It will limit agencies to only purchase firearms from businesses that meet certain requirements, such as providing documentation on any thefts and disclosing policies on preventing illegal gun sales.
Abortion Insurance Coverage
Senate Bill 25-183 will require that state employee health insurance plans and publicly funded insurance, such as Medicaid, cover abortion care. The law will implement Amendment 79, the ballot measure passed by Colorado voters in 2024 to codify the right to abortion in the state constitution and repeal the prohibition on using public funds to pay for abortion.
Mental Health Insurance Coverage
Also expanding insurance coverage, House Bill 25-1002 will require that every health benefit plan cover medically necessary treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. This will regulate coverage decisions for behavioral health services based on nationally recognized standards, prohibiting insurers from using restrictive internal policies to deny claims.
Bison Hunting Ban
Wild bison will be protected under state law in 2026 with Senate Bill 25-053. The new law will classify the animals as big game wildlife, which means hunting them is illegal unless Colorado Parks & Wildlife issues a hunting permit authorizing it. The wildlife classification does not include privately owned bison.
