Colorado Governor Jared Polis concluded the 2026 legislative session by signing 436 bills into law during his final bill signing tour, bringing his total to 3,713 bills signed since taking office in 2019, all aimed at improving life for Coloradans.
Among the key legislation was HB26-1033, which expands the Colorado Cottage Foods Act, designating Colorado as a "food freedom state." This new law enables home entrepreneurs to responsibly sell homemade foods such as tamales, burritos, and tortas directly to consumers.
The Governor's tour included stops in Fort Collins, where he signed SB26-172 to expand the Front Range Passenger Rail Districts, moving the project closer to reality. In Denver, he signed SB26-150 on a moving bus, modernizing RTD to provide more reliable and efficient transportation across the metro area.
In Summit County, HB26-1065 was signed to invest in Colorado communities by bridging gaps in affordable housing, infrastructure, and transit expansions. Additional laws were enacted to protect public safety, support wildlife, and strengthen the state's outdoor recreation economy.
Colorado Springs and Boulder saw new laws signed to enhance public safety, including increasing penalties for vehicular homicide and assault, and requiring law enforcement to offer voluntary alcohol breathalyzer tests in crashes resulting in death or injury. Bills supporting higher education and students pursuing advanced degrees were also signed.
On the first day of Pride Month, Governor Polis signed HB26-1322, allowing conversion therapy survivors legal recourse under medical malpractice laws. He also took executive action to prevent state funds from supporting conversion therapy. First Gentleman Marlon Reis supported new laws at the Foothills Animal Shelter to protect pets and wild horses, including HB26-1183 to strengthen animal care and HB26-1306 for a Wild Horse License Plate. Further bills, HB26-1132 and HB26-1111, were signed to protect pollinators and facilitate safe pesticide disposal, alongside HB26-1133, HB26-1229, and HB26-1011, which further protect animals.