To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Michelle Halstead, Director, Commissioners’ Office
Prepared By:
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Cody O’Brien, Management Analyst I, Commissioners’ Office
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presenter
Presenter: Ed Bowditch and Jennifer Cassell, Bowditch and Cassell Public Affairs
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Subject:
title
12:30 PM *Legislative Update
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The purpose of this meeting is to provide information on the status of Colorado's state legislative session, including potential impacts to Arapahoe County, and seek Board direction on legislative positions or specific advocacy activities.
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Background and Discussion: As a constitutional subdivision of Colorado state government, Arapahoe County can only exercise those powers specifically expressed in statute or in the constitution. Arapahoe County contracts with Bowditch and Cassell Public Affairs for state advocacy activities. The Director of the Commissioners’ Office coordinates federal and state intergovernmental relations, in partnership with the Director of Human Services, the County Attorney, the Director of Community Resources, the Director of Public Works and Development, and the Director of Public Health (staff legislative team).
Staff reviews proposed legislation through the lens of operational and fiscal impacts to the county, in the context of the County’s legislative guide (attached for reference).
This week, the lobbyist team will provide updates on bills that could impact Arapahoe County as well as other topics deemed appropriate.
Bills For Discussion
• HB25-1271 Federal Benefits for Youth in Foster Care
• HB25-1109 Gender Identity Certificate of Death
Additionally, the lobbyist and staff legislative team will provide updates on the following bills and topics:
• HB25-1286 Protecting Workers From Extreme Temperatures
• HB25-1169 Housing Developments on Faith and Educational Land
• SB25-001 Colorado Voting Rights Act
• HB25-1190 Expanding Colorado Cottage Foods Act
Permissive/Neutral/No Impact Bills for Awareness
• HB25-1273 Residential Building Stair Modernization
• HB25-1198 Regional Planning Roundtable Commission
• HB25-1261 Consumers Construction Defect Action
• HB25-1228 Best Value Design-Build Transportation Contracts
• HB25-1137 Adopt a Shelter Pet Account Community Cats
• HB25-1269 Building Decarbonization Measures
• HB25-1279 State Level Data for Colorado Works Program
Fiscal Impact: Please refer to the attached 2025 Internal Legislative Report.
Alternatives: The Board could decide to not move forward with staff recommendations.
Alignment with Strategic Plan:
☒Be fiscally sustainable
☒Provide essential and mandated service
☒Be community focused
Staff Recommendation: Please refer to the attached reference documents.
Concurrence: The staff legislative team will be in attendance to answer questions as needed.