Hannah Metzger
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Politics are happening.
More than 300 bills have been introduced in the Colorado Legislature since the 2026 legislative session began on January 14. Many of the bills will simply delegate state funds or clean up existing statutes, but others seek to make major changes, from decriminalizing prostitution to allowing lawsuits against federal immigration officers.
State lawmakers have until May 13 to approve or reject the proposals. If a bill passes the State Senate and House of Representatives, it will be sent to the governor to be vetoed or signed into law.
With so much legislation in flux, it’s difficult to keep track. But Westword is here to explain the most interesting proposals that could soon become state law:
Personal Data in Price Setting
Have you ever noticed that the price for a flight or hotel increases the more you search for them online? House Bill 26-1210 would make that kind of practice illegal in Colorado. The bill bans the use of surveillance data to set individualized prices or wages, including the use of a person’s search history, location, past purchases and personal characteristics.
The bill is sponsored by Democratic representatives Jennifer Bacon and Javier Mabrey. It was introduced on February 13 and assigned to the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee. The first hearing is not yet scheduled.
Underage Marriage
In Colorado, minors as young as sixteen years old can get legally married if they receive judicial approval. The court can grant such approval if it finds that marriage would be in the minor’s best interest and if a “reasonable effort” was made to notify their parents. Senate Bill 26-048 repeals this law, requiring that an individual be at least eighteen years old to obtain a marriage license.
The measure is sponsored by Democratic senators Nick Hinrichsen and Janice Marchman. It is scheduled for its first hearing in the Senate State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee on February 17.
Penalties for Parents of E-Scooter Riders
Minors aren’t allowed to ride rentable e-scooters in Denver, but that hasn’t stopped teenage daredevils from speeding through the city on the devices (or parents from illegally riding with their children on board). House Bill 26-1125 would crack down on this behavior by imposing financial penalties on parents who allow their minor children to operate electric scooters, bicycles, skateboards or motorcycles, if the child does so in an unlawful manner.
House Bill 1125 is sponsored by Republican Representative Brandi Bradley. It is scheduled for its first hearing in the House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee on February 25.
JR Goodwin/DRCOG
Pet Custody After Divorce
At a time when more people have fur babies than human babies, House Bill 26-1131 seeks to establish legal standards for who keeps the pets after a break-up. The bill gives courts the authority to make determinations for the care and custody of pets during divorce and separation proceedings, treating the animals differently from other marital property. It also allows courts to issue emergency protection orders regarding the custody of pets.
House Bill 1131 is sponsored by Democratic Representative Alex Valdez. It is scheduled for its first hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on February 24.
AI in Therapy
House Bill 26-1195 restricts the use of artificial intelligence in psychotherapy services. The bill prohibits regulated professionals from using AI systems to detect a client’s emotions or mental state, generate therapeutic recommendations or treatment plans without review, or directly interact with clients in any form of therapeutic communication.
Sponsored by Democratic representatives Gretchen Rydin and Javier Mabrey, HB 1195 was introduced on February 11 and assigned to the House Health & Human Services Committee. The first hearing is not yet scheduled.
Decriminalize Prostitution
Colorado could soon become the second state in the country to allow prostitution. Senate Bill 26-097 decriminalizes commercial sexual activity among consenting adults and repeals state criminal offenses for prostitution. It also calls on local governments to lightly regulate escort bureaus and massage parlors that charge for sexual activities.
The bill is sponsored by Democratic senators Nick Hinrichsen and Lisa Cutter. It was introduced on February 11 and assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The first hearing is not yet scheduled.
Lawsuits Against ICE Agents
Lawmakers are expected to vote on several bills to decide how the state will respond to federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity, including Senate Bill 26-005. The bill allows Coloradans harmed during an immigration enforcement encounter with federal officers to pursue legal action against them.
Senate Bill 005 is sponsored by Democratic senators Mike Weissman and Julie Gonzales. It passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 2 and is awaiting consideration by the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Bennito L. Kelty
Youth Name Changes and Parental Custody
Senate Bill 26-018 strengthens privacy protections for transgender youth, requiring courts to suppress records related to name change petitions for those under eighteen years old. Most notably, the bill also requires courts to consider whether a parent recognizes the child’s identity when determining parenting time and the allocation of decision-making responsibility, reigniting a parental custody debate from last year’s legislative session.
Sponsored by Democratic senators Katie Wallace and Chris Kolker, SB 018 is scheduled for its first hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 18.
Bigamy and Cohabitation
If you’re married and move in with a new partner in Colorado, you’re technically committing the crime of bigamy. Senate Bill 26-013 aims to get rid of this obsolete law, removing a portion of the state’s bigamy statute that makes it illegal for a married person to “cohabit with another person.”
The bill is sponsored by Democratic Senators Nick Hinrichsen and Janice Marchman. It passed the Senate on February 11 and is awaiting consideration by the House Judiciary Committee.
Youth Social Media Use
House Bill 26-1148 continues the Colorado Legislature’s years-long unsuccessful effort to improve safety for youth on social media. The bill makes numerous changes regarding how online services must handle minors who use their platforms, including automatically setting their accounts to the highest privacy setting, not sending them push notifications overnight and restricting the use of their personal data to prioritize the content they see.
House Bill 1148 is sponsored by Democratic Representatives Yara Zokaie and Jenny Willford. It was introduced on February 4 and assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. The first hearing is not yet scheduled.
