To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Michelle Halstead, Director, Commissioners’ Office
Prepared By:
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Nico Johnson, Management Analyst, Commissioners’ Office
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presenter
Presenter: Ed Bowditch and Jennifer Cassell, Bowditch and Cassell Public Affairs
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Subject:
title
1:00 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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Alignment with Strategic Plan: Good Governance - Proactively advocate for the County's needs in legislative solutions.
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:
• Human Services Restructure Updates/Discussion
• Bills with Position Recommendations:
o SB26-176: State Remedies for Constitutional Rights Violations
o SB26-149: Pathways for Individuals with Mental Health Disorders
o HB26-1347: Federal Disability Benefits for Foster Care Youth
• Concepts for Discussion
o JBC / Long Bill Updates
• Bills for Awareness
o SB26-172: Front Range Passenger Rail District
o HB26-1399: Eliminate General Fund Transfer to Multimodal Transportation Fund
o HB26-1317: Unified Postsecondary Talent Development System
Alternatives: The Board could decide to not move forward with staff recommendations.
Fiscal Impact: Please refer to the attached 2026 Internal Legislative Report.
Alignment with Strategic Implementation Strategies: N/A.
Staff Recommendation: Please refer to the attached reference documents.
Concurrence: The legislative team will be in attendance to answer any questions as needed.