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Broomfield staff, lobbyist summarize 2026 Colorado legislative session and local impacts
Summary
Contract lobbyist Jennifer Castle and city staff reviewed the 2026 Colorado legislative session, noting a $1.5 billion state budget shortfall, passage of the Home Act (housing), RTD board reform, and local fiscal impacts from cuts and program changes; staff flagged administrative burdens and potential reductions to marijuana tax allocations and multimodal funds.
Broomfield officials and their contract lobbyist told the council the 2026 Colorado legislative session produced a mix of outcomes they will monitor for fiscal and administrative impacts.
Jennifer Castle of Bowage Castle Public Affairs summarized statewide outcomes: lawmakers faced roughly a $1.5 billion shortfall, the Home Act (a priority bill requiring certain local allowances for residential development) was signed, RTD governance reform passed (SB150), and bills setting limits on data centers did not pass this session. Castle said the governor has until June 12 to act on remaining bills and that several bills already have been signed.
City staff said the session’s budget moves will have localized impacts. Staff highlighted potential reductions to the marijuana cash fund (noting Broomfield’s 2024 receipts were modest and a 3% reduction would translate to tens of thousands of dollars locally), uncertainty around allocation of multimodal options funding (staff are tracking an ongoing $2.5 million project where early obligations exist), and new requirements such as traffic-safety measures near schools (HB 1318) that carry fiscal notes. “We are watching how the changes will affect our administrative capacity and budget,” staff said.
Staff also reviewed bills the city tracked or took positions on: the Home Act and measures affecting lot splitting and minimum lot sizes (which failed to advance in the Senate), protections on 3D-printing information for firearms (which passed), and flexibility measures tied to Proposition 123 funding. Staff said about 12% of introduced bills had some impact on Broomfield and that the city will codify necessary code changes to comply with new state requirements.
Council members asked for additional detail on topics including RTD reform, SNAP/TANF changes, and the likely effect of state-level moves on local capital projects. Staff recommended council expect follow-up items on local implementation (code updates, fiscal assessments and possible grants or budget adjustments).
