House passes bill requiring baby-changing stations in public restrooms after heated debate

The Colorado House passed House Bill 11-30 as amended on April 22, 2026, a measure requiring baby-changing stations in restrooms that are accessible to the public.

Supporters, including Representative Jackson and Representative Story, framed the bill as a public-accommodation measure to ensure parents and caregivers have a place to change infants. Representative Story explained an amendment displayed as L019 that was adopted on the floor, saying it "exempts local government from the bill, expands criteria for small business and clarifies designation of restrooms," and urged an "aye" vote.

Opponents argued the mandate will impose costs on already-strained small businesses and raised public‑safety concerns about contamination. Representative Brooks, a vocal opponent, cited news reports and testified that tests have found methamphetamine traces on some public baby-changing tables and said remediation could be expensive; he stated, "We've got an issue... businesses have been taking these baby changing tables out because of the contamination," and urged members to vote no. Representative Kelty and others questioned whether the bill would divert resources and whether anticipated installation costs (discussed on the floor in the range of $1,500–$2,100 per installation by some members) were realistic for small operators.

Several members criticized carving government buildings out of the bill while requiring private businesses to comply. Representative Richardson and Representative Winter said the asymmetry created a political optics problem: "It's a bad look that we carved out government agencies at all levels," Richardson said. Members also warned that compliance costs could be passed on to consumers.

Sponsors and backers said the bill provides carve-outs for the smallest businesses and that stakeholders had been engaged in drafting the amendment. Representative Jackson noted the amendment's small-business definition as an employer with 25 or fewer employees and annual gross receipts not exceeding $3,500,000 (as displayed in the adopted amendment).

On final consideration the chair called for passage and announced by voice vote that "House bill 11 30 as amended is passed." The bill will proceed in the legislative process according to regular order.

Why this matters: The measure addresses day-to-day accessibility for parents and caregivers but drew sustained opposition centered on regulatory cost, scope and public-safety claims. Debate highlighted tensions over mandates on small businesses, fiscal impacts, and whether enforcement and exemptions produce equity between public and private facilities.