Colorado’s 2026 legislative session is officially underway, and environmental policy is emerging early as a defining theme. In the first week alone, lawmakers introduced nearly 100 bills, with a notable share focused on climate, energy, and environmental protection. In fact, environmental bills made up several of the very first measures introduced in both the House and the Senate, showing that decisions about our energy systems, land, water, and air will be front and center throughout the 2026 session.
This early momentum matters. Legislative priorities set in the opening weeks often shape not only what advances, but how quickly and with whose voices at the table. As Colorado lawmakers work under a strained state budget and competing demands around affordability, housing, and public safety, environmental bills are where many of these issues intersect. As we know “environmental policy” can touch everything from household energy costs and community resilience to public health, climate goals, and stewardship of our shared resources.
As the session unfolds, The Alliance Community will be tracking how these environmental proposals move forward, where they align with community-centered climate solutions, and where stronger guardrails or deeper engagement are needed. Below are some of the first environmental bills we’re watching this session and why they matter.
What We’re Watching:
- HB26-1007 — Plug-In (Balcony) Solar
This bill would expand access to small-scale solar by reducing barriers for renters and people living in shared spaces, making it easier for more Coloradans to benefit from clean, distributed energy. - SB26-002 — Energy Affordability
A Senate bill aimed at creating a low-cost electricity allotment for income-qualified customers, helping make basic energy needs more affordable while supporting the state’s clean energy transition. - SB26-003 — EV Battery End-of-Life Management
This measure would expand stewardship requirements for electric vehicle batteries, ensuring responsible recycling and reuse as EV adoption grows. - SB26-022 — GHG Reduction Flexibility
This bill would allow utilities to extend timelines for meeting greenhouse gas reduction goals, potentially weakening Colorado’s near-term climate commitments. - HB26-1030 — Data Center & Utility Modernization
A proposal to create tax incentives and a development authority for data centers. While touted as economic development, the bill has raised concerns from environmental and consumer groups over inadequate protections for ratepayers, climate goals, and community impacts. - SB26-028 — Removal of Wind from Energy Goals
This bill would take wind energy off the list of eligible clean energy resources—a shift that could undercut Colorado’s broader renewable energy targets.
As these bills move through the legislative process, there will be opportunities for the public, including the Alliance community, to stay informed and help shape the outcomes.
The best way to know what’s happening is to check the General Assembly website. It features calendars for each chamber and respective committees; links to watch or listen to the action; contact information for lawmakers; and a place to search for bills.
Here’s a search tool to find out which lawmaker represents you.
Remember: If you are interested in testifying in person, via zoom, OR submitting written testimony for any bill you must sign up to testify!
Here’s how to sign up:
https://www2.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2024A/commsumm.nsf/signIn.xsp
- Choose in-person, zoom or written
- Select “By Committee and Hearing Item”
- Select your committee
- Select date and time
- Select your Bill
- Fill out this form, indicating you are commenting on behalf of yourself – or if you are a designated representative of a business or organization, you can indicate that.
- You should receive a confirmation email from LCS.
And if you would like a refresher on what to expect when signing up to testify at the capitol (how to navigate the capitol, how to sign up, how to testify and what it will be like) check out our Democracy Decoded Webinar here; the entire webinar offers a comprehensive overview of the Colorado Legislator, with specific focus on engaging at the capitol starting right around 35 min with a specific focus on testifying starting at 45 min).