Committee advances bill extending Colorado real estate commission to 2037

Chair Wallace opened the hearing on House Bill 26‑1287, a sunset continuation that keeps the Division of Real Estate and the Real Estate Commission in place through 2037 and makes targeted regulatory changes. The sponsor said the bill preserves licensing continuity, oversight and consumer protections while modernizing certain processes and clarifying discipline authority.

One witness, Damien Cox, a real estate attorney and former broker testifying for the Colorado Association of REALTORS, told the committee that the commission provides “a foundation” for consumer protection and licensing. He praised provisions that limit the commission’s role to licensing and discipline rather than court functions and cited clarity for supervising brokers and narrowly tailored information‑sharing for supervision. “This bill keeps the commission focused on licensing and discipline,” Cox said.

The sponsor also described provisions that would extend the time before a revoked licensee could reapply, allow electronic communications with licensees with appropriate safeguards, and permit temporary inactivation of licenses for failure to meet continuing education requirements. The sponsor characterized the package as administrative and consumer‑protection oriented rather than changing who may perform real‑estate transactions.

After testimony and brief member questions, Vice Chair (moving the motion) asked the committee to forward the bill to the Committee on Appropriations with a favorable recommendation. The motion carried on roll call by a 4–1 vote; the committee recorded the outcome as forwarding HB 26‑1287 to Appropriations. Committee members and the sponsor exchanged brief remarks wishing the bill well in appropriations.

The bill now goes to the Committee on Appropriations for further review of any fiscal impacts and final consideration.