Updated May 07, 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.
(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.
(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) HB26-1256: Procedures & Data Individual’s Release from Department of Corrections
What this is about: The bill requires the Department of Corrections to provide an individual being discharged with a release allowance of at least $100, free of any deductions. The department is required to collect data on discharge statistics and issue a report to the general assembly annually.
Why we care: Without basic resources upon release, individuals have a higher chance of becoming unhoused or returning to incarceration. This bill would ensure that everyone returning to our communities has the bare minimum to reenter successfully.
To learn more about this policy, click here.
(Support) HB26-1267: Limitations on Collection Actions for Medical Debt
What this is about: The bill would add to the list of collection actions that a medical creditor cannot use when collecting on a medical debt. Current law requires a medical creditor to comply with certain conditions and notify a patient with medical debt 30 days before taking any allowed collection actions. The bill would also require a medical creditor to notify a patient 30 days before collecting, transferring, selling, or assigning a medical debt and offer a reasonable payment plan to each patient with medical debt.
Why we care: This bill is an opportunity to build guardrails to support vulnerable Coloradans and standardize procedures for medical debt payment. It’s important to have a framework that patients and providers can follow, particularly with recent federal law changes that are affecting the way Medicaid is delivered in our state.
To learn more 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.
(Monitor) HB26-1269: Transit Access
What this is about: The bill would require certain transit agencies to take specific actions to transportation access. These actions include: improvements to transit rider information, language access initiatives, access to restroom amenities, and updated reporting requirements.
Why we care: This bill aims to make public transportation more accessible and affordable for riders, especially those with lower incomes. While this bill establishes important changes to some transit agencies, we, along with our partners, have concerns about the feasibility and impact of the proposed changes given the current budget climate.
To learn more about this policy, click here.
(Support) HB 26-1313: Adjust Requirements Statewide Affordable Housing Fund
What this is about: The bill changes the eligibility requirements for future funding, so that a local government applying to receive funding from the Statewide Affordable Housing Fund only needs to meet a target number of affordable housing units. (This changes the current requirement that they increase affordable housing units by 3% above the baseline each year)
Why we care: These changes allow more local governments to access the Statewide Affordable Housing Fund and incentivize the creation of low-income and mixed-income housing.
To learn more about this policy, click here.
(Support) SB 26-002: Energy Affordability
What this is about: This bill updates the administration of energy assistance programs run by investor-owned utilities, called percentage-of-income payment plans (PIPP), to offer more transparency and a timely application decision. This program caps a household’s energy bill at a fixed share of their income.
Why we care: This bill takes meaningful and practical steps to address energy affordability for many Coloradans. This change would help more eligible households to enroll and stay enrolled, and make the program easier to find and understand.
To learn more about this policy, click here.
(Monitor) SB26-150: Modernizing Regional Transportation District
What this is about: This bill comprises recommendations from a recent transit accountability study and updates the governance structure of the Regional Transportation District (RTD) by decreasing the number of board directors from 15 to 9. It would also change the board from being completely elected to 5 elected members and 4 appointed members.
Why we care: RTD is the largest transit provider in the state, and how it governs shapes access for all riders. The proposed changes could bring more subject expertise to the board and reshape what the board prioritizes.
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 this is 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) HB26-1015: 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.
(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.
Housing |Economic Opportunity
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 this is 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.
Youth Well-being
We will consider policy proposals to fund organizations working on school funding and K-12 reforms with a focus on racial equity and youth mental health.
(Support) SB26-103: At-Risk Public School Program & Public School Accountability
What this is about: This bill would require school districts and charter schools to have a policy that provides resources and supports to at-risk public school students. Under this policy, schools can implement community-school-based learning programs, wraparound services, after-school programs, and tutoring services, among other community-focused programs.
Why we care: This bill helps students, educators, and advocates understand and access programs designed to protect the most vulnerable students.
To learn more about this policy, click here.
Philanthropic Giving and the Nonprofit Sector
We support policy proposals to promote charitable giving and foster collaboration among philanthropists, nonprofit organizations, and government entities in Metro Denver.
(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.
(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
What this is about: 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.
(Monitor) SB 26-147: Lobbyist Regulation
What this is about: This bill changes the registration and reporting requirements for state agencies. Each agency’s legislative liaison would be required to register with the Secretary of State annually, file a monthly disclosure statement, and register the agency’s position on a bill within 72 hours.
Why we care: We support nonprofits’ efforts to engage on state policy issues at the Capitol, including advocacy days. We were monitoring the bill to see if it would impact how nonprofits engage on state policy issues. Requiring state agencies to register their positions on relevant bills creates more governmental transparency. The bill has since been amended so it no longer directly impacts this work, but we will continue to monitor.
To learn more about this policy, click here.
Critical and Timely Issues
Under our policy principles, The Denver Foundation might also engage in “critical and timely” policy proposals. Recent examples include policy proposals to address the COVID-19 pandemic and racial reckoning. The following critical and timely issues have been identified as appropriate for the foundation’s engagement during this legislative session.
(Support) HB26-1430: Transportation Funding Adjustments
What this is about: This bill establishes, should the voters approve Initiative 175: State Revenue Supporting Road Transportation, changes in the existing taxes and fees imposed on gasoline, special fuel, vehicle registration, and road usage fees by making reductions outlined in the fact sheet. The bill is intended to prevent up to $700 million in reductions of general fund appropriations resulting from proposed Initiative 175.
Why we care: This is a proactive, collaborative effort to create structural changes to how transportation funding is allocated if Initiative 175 is approved by voters. Without this bill, the passage of Initiative 175 would result in funding cuts to core government services.
To learn more about this policy, click here.
(Support) SB26-005: Rights Violation in Immigration Enforcement Remedy
What this is about: This bill would create a pathway to take legal action under state law if an individual’s federal constitutional rights are violated by someone carrying out civil immigration enforcement.
Why we care: Our role as a community foundation has always been to unite people, protect our communities, and support our neighbors. This bill would allow individuals who have been harmed to pursue appropriate legal and equitable relief. During the 2025 legislative session, we also supported SB26-276 to help uphold the values of inclusion and protection for our immigrant neighbors, as Colorado has done for decades.
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.
