The 2024 Colorado legislative session officially wrapped up last week, during which state legislators weighed more than 700 bills related to hot-button issues like housing, transit, health care, and environmental advocacy. The Colorado Sun summarized 101 of the most noteworthy bills that passed this session, many of which have already received the governor’s seal of approval. Here are 12 new state laws you should know about.
🏡 Housing / Homeowners
Safe Housing for Tenants (SB 94)
Landlords must remedy tenants’ complaints and concerns within seven to 14 days.
- Speaking of: Should you consider forming a tenants union? [Hey Denver]
Cause for Eviction (HB 1098)
Landlords cannot end a tenant’s lease or evict them without just cause.
Occupancy Limits (HB 1007)
Local governments cannot limit the number of people living in a house together.
- Why it matters: Dictating how many people can live together can hamper housing affordability. Denver voted to allow expanded occupancy limits way back in 2021. [City Cast Denver 🎧]
Parking Minimums (HB 1304)
Local governments cannot require developers to include a parking capacity minimum in the construction of multi-family residential properties.
- Dive deeper: Less parking can actually mean more affordable housing. One expert explains the case for radical parking reform. [City Cast Denver 🎧]
Home-Based Businesses (SB 134)
HOAs cannot prohibit residents from operating businesses out of their homes.
🎒 Education
New Medical Colleges (HB 1231)
Colorado plans to establish a number of new medical and health programs at universities across the state.
Public School Funding (SB 188)
Colorado will fully fund K-12 education for the 2024-25 school year.
Student Name Changes (HB 1039)
Public school employees are required to address students by the chosen name that conforms to their gender identity.
🚔 Law Enforcement / Criminal Justice
Name Changes for Felons (HB 1071)
People with felony convictions on their record are now permitted to legally change their names to conform with their gender identity.
- More context: Why conservatives can’t stop talking about trans people. [City Cast Denver 🎧]
Firearms Merchant Codes (SB 66)
Credit card companies must assign distinctive merchant codes to gun sales, making it easier to track gun purchases.
Prohibiting ‘Excited Delirium’ (HB 1103)
First responders and law enforcement officers can no longer use the term “excited delirium” in any capacity.
- Why it matters: The term played a key role in the 2019 murder of Elijah McClain by Aurora first responders. [CPR]
Coroner Qualifications (HB 1100)
Coroners of a county with more than 150,000 residents must be certified by and in good standing with the American board of medicolegal death investigators.
- Important note: This is not the same bill proposing to better regulate Colorado’s abysmal funeral industry — that would be SB 173.
