2025 Colorado State Legislative Session

SIGNED

The bill requires third-party payers to reimburse the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (state department) for healthcare items and services rendered to a Medicaid member regardless of whether prior authorization was obtained.

The bill requires third-party payers to respond to the State Department's inquiry regarding a claim for payment no later than 60 days after receiving the State Department's inquiry. The third-party must respond either by paying the claim or issuing a written denial of the claim to the state department.

SIGNED

The bill exempts individuals engaged in the business of inspecting, testing, or repairing backflow prevention devices from licensure requirements but retains the licensure requirements for individuals engaged in the installation or removal of the devices

VETOED

PASSED BIPARTISAN IN BOTH CHAMBERS

The bill prohibits using an automated driving system to drive a commercial motor vehicle unless an individual who holds a commercial driver's license is in the vehicle, monitors the vehicle's driving, and intervenes, if necessary, to avoid illegal or unsafe driving. The penalty is $1,000 for a first offense; is $2,000 for a second offense; and doubles for each subsequent offense.

DIED IN APPROPRIATIONS

The bill extends an existing reduction in the valuation for assessment of qualified-senior primary residence real property (valuation reduction) that applies for only the 2025 and 2026 property tax years so that the valuation reduction is permanent. The bill also makes permanent the existing obligation of the state to annually reimburse local governments that levy property tax for the amount of property tax revenue lost due to the valuation reduction.

SIGNED

The bill mandates that investor-owned utilities serving over 500,000 customers must proactively inform homeowners about upcoming smart meter installations and clearly explain their right to opt for a traditional, manual meter instead. This initiative is designed to foster transparency, empower consumers with meaningful choices, and ensure a fair, informed transition to advanced metering technology.

SIGNED

Colorado schools face critical challenges with aging infrastructure, poor indoor air quality, and inadequate ventilation systems. House Bill 25-1245 provides a structured pathway for schools to access federal and state funding to improve heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. By leveraging federal resources, the bill ensures that schools can undertake necessary HVAC assessments, upgrades, and maintenance to provide safer, healthier learning environments.

SIGNED

This legislation will ensure commercially insured Coloradans continue to have access to zero-cost preventive services regardless of what may happen at the federal level. Encouraging access to preventive services will help detect and treat illnesses earlier, keeping Coloradans healthier and savinG people and the health care system money on health care.

SIGNED

Currently, a member of the Colorado state patrol must be bonded by a surety company or must be insured with third-party crime insurance. The bill creates an exception to the bonding or third-party insurance requirement if the Colorado state patrol is self-insured with the Colorado state office of risk management and is eligible to be compensated from the state self-insured property fund.

SIGNED

Senate Bill 25-181 extends the Just Transition Advisory Committee, which is set to expire in 2025, to September 1, 2030.

The Just Transition Advisory Committee supports the Office of Just Transition in CDLE. It is responsible for creating an action plan and supporting the office in implementing the plan, which includes benefits and grants that are currently available or needed, as well as the options for funding any grants and benefits. Its purpose is to help workers transition to new, high-quality jobs, help communities continue to develop economically, and replace lost revenues in affected communities.

SIGNED

The bill continues the Workers’ Compensation Accreditation of Health Care Providers Program until September 1, 2036, and is currently scheduled to repeal on September 1, 2025.

Colorado mandates that workers' compensation providers, particularly medical providers, be accredited or certified to provide services to injured workers. This ensures a certain level of expertise and adherence to guidelines within the state's workers' compensation system.

SIGNED

The bill allows a health-care provider to, under certain circumstances, adjust the dose or frequency of a chronic maintenance drug without needing prior authorization from an insurance carrier.