Colorado Legislative Session Wrap-Up

The 2026 Colorado session convened on January 13, 2026, and concluded on May 13, 2026. Over the course of the session, we engaged with more than 30 bills in an official capacity and testified roughly 30 times during committee hearings. 

Session Highlight 

The biggest win of this session was the passage and subsequent signing into law of Senate Bill 26-121, Overtime Threshold for Agricultural Employees. This legislation was developed in collaboration with stakeholders across the state over the course of an entire year. It sets the overtime threshold for agricultural workers at 56 hours per week and is a win for both agricultural workers and farm owners. 

The previous overtime structure forced farms and ranches to operate in ways never intended. As farmers faced economic realities, workers’ hours were capped, increasing shift work on operations that were not designed to function that way. Capping hours created additional shifts, and Colorado does not have the domestic workforce necessary to absorb that increased demand, likely creating the opposite effect of an intended overtime “fix.” U.S. agriculture simply cannot meet its labor needs under systems that mirror traditional 9-to-5 industries. 

Without this law, Colorado risked losing seasonal agricultural workers to neighboring states that offered greater earning opportunities. This legislation will help keep workers employed in Colorado agriculture while also helping family farmers and ranchers remain in business. 

Additionally, we actively opposed SB 26-081, which would have counteracted SB 26-121 by setting the overtime threshold at 40 hours. We were successful in defeating that bill in the Senate Business, Labor, and Technology Committee. 

Bills Killed 

Three major bills that we successfully had postponed indefinitely in committee were SB 26-062 Rodenticide Use Restrictions, SB 26-123 Prohibit Ventilation Shutdown, and SB 26-065 Systemic Insecticide Use Limitations. We actively opposed all three measures because each would have negatively impacted agriculture and family farms and ranches. 

SB 26-062 would have prohibited the sale, distribution, application, or use of certain rodenticides and glue traps except under limited public health emergency circumstances and under strict time requirements. The bill also would have required professional rodent control services to prioritize integrated pest management strategies involving nonchemical control methods. 

SB 26-123 would have prohibited ventilation shutdowns, eliminating one of the most humane and rapid tools available for stopping the spread of deadly viruses between barns and farms. Without this option, sick birds would have suffered longer while increasing the risk of disease transmission. We were successful in having this bill postponed indefinitely. 

SB 26-065 would have removed an important pest management tool from farmers by limiting the use of systemic insecticide seed coatings. Rather than reducing pesticide use overall, the bill would have limited one of the most direct and targeted application methods available to producers. In many cases, this would have forced farmers to rely on broader and potentially less targeted pesticide applications. Ultimately, the bill would not have benefited pollinators. 

We also had serious concerns regarding the certification requirements, fines, and annual recertification process included in the legislation. The bill would have required yearly certification from organizations that may not have had expertise in pesticides, pest management, or agriculture. Additionally, the legislation did not require certifying organizations to use peer-reviewed scientific standards when determining whether producers could utilize these targeted pest management approaches. The yearly certification requirement also would have created an unnecessary burden for farmers and ranchers. 

Bill Signings 

We also attended the Governor’s signing ceremonies for three bills that we actively supported: HB 26-1031 Protections for Agricultural Products Grown in Colorado, HB 26-1067 Diseased Livestock Indemnity Fund, and SB 26-064 Modify Colorado Agricultural Future Loan Program. HB 26-1067 and SB 26-064 were signed during Colorado Ag Day at the Capitol. 

HB 26-1031 prohibits individuals or businesses from marketing or labeling agricultural products as Colorado-grown unless the products are actually produced within the state. It also prohibits the use of the Colorado Proud designation or logo without authorization from the Department of Agriculture and classifies violations as deceptive trade practices. 

SB 26-064 directs the Commissioner of Agriculture to prioritize loans for acquiring and conserving agriculturally productive land. This expansion will improve access for beginning farmers and ranchers entering agriculture, particularly given the high and increasing costs of land and operations. The program utilizes alternative forms of documentation for loan qualification that traditional lenders may not consider. This structure helps provide access to agricultural infrastructure and operating loans for producers who might otherwise not qualify under conventional lending standards. 

HB 26-1067 enhances Colorado’s ability to protect the livestock industry by expanding the state’s preparedness and response capabilities related to infectious and contagious diseases. This legislation is especially important given concerns surrounding New World Screwworm and avian flu. The bill increases flexibility in deploying resources for both emergency response and proactive disease prevention measures. These updates will provide agriculture professionals with additional tools to protect livestock producers and Colorado’s agricultural economy. 

Monitored Bills 

Other bills that we monitored included: HB 26-1008 Colorado Outdoor Opportunities Act (sent to Governor), HB 26-1011 Transfer of Certain Pet Animals (signed by Governor), HB 26-1034 Modifications to Standards for Irrigation Equipment (signed by Governor), HB 26-1132 Practices to Support Pollinators (sent to Governor), HB 26-1253 Disconnection from Statutory Municipality (signed by Governor), HB 26-1272 Extreme Temperatures Worker Protections (sent to Governor), SB 26-090 Exempt Critical Infrastructure from Right to Repair (postponed indefinitely), SB 26-102 Large Load Data Center (postponed indefinitely), and SB 26-131 Sports Betting Protections (sent to Governor). 

Additionally, we remained in an “amend” position on HB 26-1340 Revegetation or Dry Farm Formerly Irrigated Agricultural Land. That bill passed and was sent to the Governor’s desk. 

Supported Bills 

Several bills that we supported successfully passed both chambers and were either signed into law or sent to the Governor’s desk awaiting signature. Bills already signed into law include HB 26-1198 Access to Veterinary Support and SB 26-010 Ag Property Tax Definitions. 

The following bills passed and were awaiting the Governor’s signature at the conclusion of session: HB 26-1033 Expanding the Cottage Foods Act, HB 26-1111 Pesticide Product Disposal and Container Recycling, HB 26-1230 Extend Conservation Easement Tax Credit, HB 26-1338 2026 Water Projects, and SB 26-136 Reporting of Lost or Stolen Livestock. 

Additionally, we ran HB 26-1341 Colorado Agricultural Development Authority Bond Allocation Service Period. This bill passed both chambers and is also awaiting the Governor’s signature. The legislation changes the “clawback” date for the CADA loan program. Under the current timeline, many young and first-time farmers and ranchers are forced to seek bridge loans because of the September 15 deadline. Moving the date to November 15 helps close that gap and makes this valuable Colorado Agricultural Development Authority program more effective and accessible. 

Supported Bills That Were Killed 

There were only two bills this session that we supported which ultimately failed: HB 26-1270 Ownership of Ag Data and HB 26-1323 Wildfire Resiliency Prohibiting Taking of Beavers. 

Events 

This session included several impactful events. On March 23, we hosted RMFU Day at the Capitol, which was very well attended. We welcomed Colorado State Veterinarian Dr. Maggie Baldwin and her team, who spoke about the impacts of diseases such as New World Screwworm and avian flu. RMFU Director of State Government Relations Madeline Robertson also provided a legislative update and answered questions regarding bill positions and statuses. 

Because 2026 is the International Year of the Woman Farmer, we also hosted a panel of women in agriculture as part of our Drive-In programming. It was a deeply impactful component of the day. Following lunch with legislators and legislative aides, attendees toured the Capitol, observed floor work from the House and Senate galleries, and attended a House Agriculture, Water, and Natural Resources Committee hearing alongside RMFU staff. 

On March 24, in conjunction with the Colorado Ag Council, we helped host Colorado Ag Day at the Capitol on National Ag Day. During the event, we attended bill signing ceremonies for two major agricultural bills, while the Ag Council provided lunch for legislators and staff. The event was very well attended and featured participation from numerous agricultural organizations and stakeholders. 

During the session, Madeline Robertson attended two roundtable discussions hosted by Governor Polis. The first focused on the impacts of tariffs on Colorado businesses, with RMFU serving as the only agricultural organization represented. Additionally, Madeline Robertson and CEO Tyler Garrett attended a roundtable discussion at the Governor’s mansion regarding the impacts of immigration on Colorado. 

Madeline Robertson also moderated an agricultural policy roundtable with U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper in Fort Morgan. 

The Wrap 

Ultimately, this was a productive legislative session. We successfully passed legislation that will help reduce burdens on family farmers and ranchers as they navigate some of the most difficult economic conditions agriculture has faced in recent history. We also successfully defeated legislation that, while often well-intentioned, would have created significant negative impacts for agriculture in Colorado. 

We encourage members to stay engaged as we continue our work during the interim leading into the 2027 Legislative Session.