DENVER (KDVR) — Several new laws will go into effect on Wednesday, Aug. 6, that focus on a range of items, including preventing wildfires, providing better conditions to workers and voluntary waivers for firearm purchases.
The Colorado General Assembly adjourned on May 7, and the 90-day period post adjournment ends on Aug. 5, making Aug. 6 an important day for new laws in Colorado. From voluntary “do not sell” firearms waivers to direct care worker legislation, the new laws span a vast portion of Colorado life.
Here are a few of the most notable new laws that will go into effect as of Aug. 6, 2025.
New Colorado laws go into effect
HB25-1009: A law to prevent and mitigate wildfire damage in Colorado will encourage local governments to reduce dead vegetation that can fuel destructive wildfires.
HB25-1184: A law to support Colorado seniors will allow certain senior living facilities to offer community-based care to seniors awaiting admission.
HB25-1328: A law to boost the incomes and working conditions for home care workers and increase access to care.
Law to boost incomes, address home care workforce shortage
HB25-1328 implements recommendations from the Direct Care Workforce Stabilization Board, including:
- Requiring the board to investigate how health care benefits for direct care workers compare to other industries and how to reduce costs
- Establishing a free “Know Your Rights” training
- Investigating violations related to training and labor standards
- Fining employers who violate direct care workforce regulations
- Increasing the minimum wage for direct care service workers to $17 per hour starting July 1, 2025
The Direct Care Workforce Stabilization Board was created to make recommendations to improve working conditions for direct care workers and also help address the workforce crisis.
Laws to streamline, improve Medicaid coverage in Colorado
Three new laws will go into effect to streamline, simplify and expand healthcare for Colorado Medicaid recipients. The laws will make health care more accessible for patients by reducing administrative barriers and expanding coverage options for certain conditions.
- HB25-1162: Removes administrative barriers by narrowing the questions providers must ask patients to determine Medicaid eligibility, mainly for long-term care needs
- SB25-084: Establishes Medicaid reimbursement rates for paternal nutrition to help difersify the number of infusion pharmacies that offer this service in Colorado. The law caps dispensing fee rates at 30% of the pharmacy’s administrative cost.
- HB25-1213: Improves access and streamlines healthcare coverage through several administrative, eligibility, billing and review changes to Medicaid
SB25-085: Health-related research facilities must now offer a dog or cat for adoption before euthanasia.
HB25-1283: The law repeals the wild horse project and transfers wild horse management duties and support to the Department of Agriculture. It also repeals and replaces the wild horse stewardship program and the wild horse fertility program with support efforts from the USDA.
SB25-070: Requires an online marketplace to alert a law enforcement agency if the website knows or should have known that a third-party seller is selling or attempting to sell stolen goods to a consumer in Colorado
SB25-034: Creates a process for a person to voluntarily waive the right to purchase a firearm. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation shall deny a firearm transfer to the person while the voluntary waiver is in effect.
More information on each new law can be found on the Colorado General Assembly’s website.
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