Updated March 17, 2026
As a community foundation, we are proud to provide grants to nonprofits in the community to advance our mission. For 100 years, we have activated this kind of funding to meet the most pressing needs of the community.
Several years ago, we heard from the community that we could supplement our grantmaking by offering our voice to policy and advocacy efforts. In this way, we could support systemic changes to positively impact our community. We are proud to be engaged in this way in our fifth legislative session.
This session, we are prioritizing engagement on legislation that furthers affordability in areas related to economic opportunity, housing, and environment and climate. We are also focused on preserving funding for programs that support youth well-being and the nonprofit sector. Lastly, we remain committed to engaging on policy proposals that respond to timely issues impacting our community.
We will update this blog throughout the legislative session.
Economic Opportunity
We believe economic opportunity is achievable when the community has the tools and resources to build individual and community wealth.
(Monitor) HB26-1046: Regulate Earned Wage Access Services
What is this about: This bill establishes a regulatory framework for earned wage access (EWA) service providers operating in Colorado. EWA services let employees access earned but unpaid wages before their regular payday.
Why we care: Colorado has established safeguards for other lending tools to help prevent individuals from entering long-term cycles of debt. While this bill establishes a framework and requirements for EWA providers to operate in our state, we, along with our partners, have concerns that the proposed framework does not align with existing consumer lending protections, and more is needed to truly protect against potentially predatory practices
To learn more about this policy, click here.
(Support) HB26-1003: Small Business Recovery Modifications
What this is about: This bill updates and broadens Colorado’s small business recovery and resiliency loan program to support small businesses generally, rather than only applying to COVID-19 pandemic recovery.
Why we care: Small businesses play a critical role in Colorado’s economy, and this bill makes it easier for small businesses to access the capital they need to continue and grow their business.
To learn more about this policy, click here.
Economic Opportunity |
Housing
We believe economic opportunity is achievable when the community has the tools and resources to build individual and community wealth.
(Support) HB26-1013: Ratio Utility Billing Systems
What is it about: This bill provides technical clarification regarding the use of Ratio Based Utility Billing Systems (RUBS) under Colorado law. RUBS are used to allocate the cost for utilities in multi-family housing, such as apartments. This fix is intended to prevent confusion in the implementation of HB25-1090.
Why we care: Clarity on the use of RUBS will increase transparency across tenants and landlords. Consumers and landlords will experience more consistent enforcement, clarity around what is allowed, increased fee transparency, and the prevention of disruption of existing billing systems that comply with the law.
For more information about this policy, click here.
Economic Opportunity |
Environment and Climate
We believe that environmental justice must be rooted in policy change and government investments in under-resourced communities to reduce the impacts of climate change.
(Support) HB26-1007: Improve Customer Use Distributed Energy Resources
What this is about: This bill expands customers’ ability to install and use distributed energy resources (DERs), like small-scale solar systems, by removing certain utility restrictions and updating interconnection requirements.
Why we care: This bill removes barriers for individuals to utilize devices that can save them money while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
To learn more about this policy, click here.
Housing
We believe the continuum of housing programs designed to address affordable housing and homelessness should be well-funded and respond to the history of exclusionary housing policies.
(Support) HB26-1001: Housing Developments on Qualifying Properties
What is this about: This bill would allow local governments to use a streamlined review process for certain land owned by school districts, state higher education institutions, public housing authorities, or nonprofit organizations with a demonstrated history of providing affordable housing.
Why we care: This bill expands housing opportunities by allowing housing-focused nonprofit organizations and educational institutions to develop housing on land they own, helping to address the housing crisis. The bill promotes community development by reducing administrative barriers, aligning with our mission.
To learn more about this policy, click here.
(Support) HB26-1202: Strategy to Reduce & Prevent Homelessness
What this is about: This bill instructs the Department of Local Affairs to create a statewide plan to combat homelessness, creates a special district and response authority for collaboration between local governments, and allows housing fee revenue to be used for homelessness response.
Why we care: The Denver Foundation has supported local ballot measures to raise funds to address housing affordability and homelessness response efforts. This bill will simplify the requirements for local governments to develop regional solutions and funding to address homelessness.
To learn more about this policy, click here.
(Support) HB26-1015: Colorado Homeless Contribution Tax Credit Extension
What this is about: This bill aims to extend the homeless contribution tax credit through 2030 income tax year. Through this tax credit, Colorado taxpayers are encouraged to make contributions to nonprofits that provide housing and services for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Why we care: This bill protects funding for nonprofits that address homelessness.
To learn more about this policy, click here.
Philanthropy and Nonprofit Sector
We support policy proposals to promote charitable giving and foster collaboration among philanthropists, nonprofit organizations, and government entities in Metro Denver.
(Support) SB26-009: Charitable Organization State Sales & Use Tax
What is this about: This bill would ensure that legitimate 501(c)(3) organizations keep their state tax exemption, even if the federal government takes away their federal tax-exempt status for political reasons. At the same time, it would allow the state to deny tax exemptions to organizations that lose their federal nonprofit status for valid, non-political reasons.
Why we care: Nonprofits are the cornerstone of our communities. It’s imperative to ensure that nonprofit organizations are recognized as tax-exempt in Colorado, regardless of actions taken at the federal level, to prevent disruptions to their programs and operations that families and individuals rely on.
To learn more about this policy, click here.
Support) SB26-118: Legacy Giving to Charitable Organizations
Plain language rewrite: The bill establishes that if a bank or other financial institution is holding money or benefits, such as retirement earnings, that a donor has promised to a charity, it must pay that money to the charity within 60 days after the charity submits a sworn statement confirming the donor has died and provides specific information.
Why we care: Legacy gifts are a key part of nonprofits’ funding streams, enabling them to provide essential services, meet community needs, and carry out their charitable missions. We believe that uniformity can bring a sense of certainty to nonprofit organizations in uncertain times.
To learn more about this policy, click here.
(Support) HB26-1274 State Agency Payments to Grant Recipients
What this is about: This bill stems from the unsuccessful efforts to advance House Bill 25-1101, which the foundation supported. The bill allows a state agency to dispense up to 25% of the total grant amount to the grantee immediately upon signing or renewing a contract. A grantee may use this payment only on expenses related to the contracted work.
Why we care: This bill ensures more equitable and timely funding for nonprofit organizations, allowing them to provide critical services without financial delays. By requiring transparency in leadership and business structure, the bill also promotes accountability and equity in state funding, aligning with our commitment to fostering inclusive and well-supported communities.
To learn more about this policy, click here.
About The Denver Foundation’s 100 years
For 100 years, The Denver Foundation has been building a stronger, thriving Metro Denver, Colorado, and beyond. We’ve received $2.1 billion from generous donors and given $1.6 billion in grants to support community initiatives. We’re the foundation of Denver, connecting and collaborating to address the current and future challenges of our community.
