HB26-1257 • 2026

Local Regulation of Massage Facilities

Healthcare Labor

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Rep. R. Gonzalez, Rep. M. Rutinel, Sen. L. Liston, Sen. K. Mullica, Rep. B. Bradley, Rep. M. Brooks, Rep. K. Brown, Rep. M. Carter, Rep. C. Clifford, Rep. M. Duran, Rep. L. Garcia Sander, Rep. R. Keltie, Rep. S. Lieder, Rep. B. Marshall, Rep. K. Nguyen, Rep. J. Phillips, Rep. E. Sirota, Rep. S. Slaugh, Rep. T. Story, Rep. A. Valdez, Rep. R. Weinberg, Rep. S. Woodrow, Sen. J. Coleman
Last action: 2026-03-30
Official status: Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material did not provide specific details about the exact amount of administrative fees or how existing businesses will comply with new regulations.

Local Regulation of Massage Facilities

This bill allows local governments more flexibility in setting rules for massage businesses by expanding the definition of illegal massage businesses to include those involved in crimes beyond human trafficking and removing restrictions on licensing requirements.

What This Bill Does

Expands the definition of 'illicit massage business' to include any business that engages in criminal activities, not just those related to human trafficking.
Removes limitations on local governments setting licensing requirements for massage facilities that are less strict than state laws.
Allows local governments to charge higher administrative fees for issuing or renewing licenses without a cap and removes exemptions from these fees.
Permits local governments to establish additional reasons for denying, revoking, or suspending business licenses.
Requires local governments considering new regulations on massage facilities after August 13, 2026, to consider the impact on legitimate businesses.

Who It Names or Affects

Local governments that regulate massage facilities within their jurisdictions.
Businesses operating massage facilities in Colorado.
Massage therapists and employees of massage therapy businesses.

Terms To Know

Illicit Massage Business: A business that provides massage services but also engages in illegal activities such as human trafficking or other crimes.
Administrative Fee: The cost charged by a local government for issuing or renewing a license to operate a business.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify the exact amount of administrative fees that can be imposed, only setting a maximum limit based on costs.
It is unclear how this legislation will impact existing businesses and their compliance with new regulations.
The effectiveness of these changes in reducing illegal activities within massage facilities remains to be seen.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

L.001

HOU Transportation, Housing & Local Government

Passed [*]

Plain English: The amendment changes specific parts of the bill to add new rules for massage facilities, including restrictions on certain activities and exemptions for hotels with at least fifty rooms.

Adds a new section (g)(II) that allows massage therapy as part of public or charity events where providing massage is not the main goal.
Includes a new section (h)(III) to prohibit solo practitioner massage businesses from having table showers.
Inserts a new section (i) which exempts hotels with at least fifty rooms from certain regulations if they provide massage services as an extra feature.

The amendment text does not specify all the details of how these changes will be enforced or what penalties might apply.

L.004

SEN Local Government & Housing

Passed [*]

Plain English: The amendment adds new sections to the bill that emphasize the dangers of illicit massage businesses and their impact on public safety, human trafficking, and legitimate massage therapy businesses.

Adds a new section (I) highlighting how illicit massage businesses harm legitimate massage therapy businesses by engaging in illegal activities like human trafficking.
Includes a new section (I.5) stating that operating illicit massage businesses can lead to dangerous situations involving unlawful sexual activities, human trafficking, and other violations.
Inserts historical context about the Colorado Massage Parlor Code and its repeal in 2015.
Adds information on the 'Massage Therapy Practice Act' of 2008 which allows local governments to inspect massage therapy licenses and business premises.

The amendment text does not provide specific details about how these new sections will be enforced or what changes they will bring in practice.

L.005

SEN Local Government & Housing

Passed [*]

Plain English: The amendment adds language to the bill that recognizes the effectiveness of local regulations in reducing illicit massage businesses and emphasizes the importance of consistent implementation with existing health-care standards.

Adds a new section stating that local regulation has been effective in reducing illicit massage businesses and deterring new ones.
Includes text acknowledging that massage therapy is recognized as a legitimate healthcare profession.

The amendment includes historical context about the City of Aurora's ordinance, but it does not specify any changes to current regulations or enforcement practices.

L.006

SEN Local Government & Housing

Passed [*]

Plain English: The amendment adds new requirements for background checks before someone can operate, own, or work at a massage facility.

Adds a new section (3.5) that requires local governments to establish a process for background checks of operators and owners based on federal law.
Requires prospective owners and operators to submit to a background check at least thirty days before obtaining a license or ownership interest.

The exact criteria for the background checks are not detailed in this amendment text, only that they must follow federal guidelines.

L.002

Second Reading

Passed [**]

Plain English: The amendment adds new requirements for local governments to consider the impact on legitimate massage therapy businesses and conduct outreach when regulating massage facilities.

Adds a requirement that local governments must consider the effects of their regulations on legitimate massage therapy businesses starting from August 13, 2026.
Requires local governments to reach out to massage therapists and statewide organizations before making new rules about massage facilities.

The amendment text does not specify how local governments should conduct outreach or what specific impacts they need to consider.

L.003

Second Reading

Passed [**]

Plain English: The amendment limits the administrative fee that local governments can charge for licensing massage facilities to a maximum of $500 unless they prove it's necessary to cover their costs.

Sets a limit on the administrative fee at $500, with exceptions if higher fees are justified by cost.
Allows for annual adjustments based on inflation or deflation starting from January 1, 2028.

The amendment text does not specify how local governments must prove the necessity of a fee greater than $500.

Bill History

2026-04-02 House
House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
2026-04-01 House
House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily
2026-03-31 Senate
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
2026-03-30 Senate
Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments
2026-03-30 Senate
Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee
2026-03-25 Senate
Senate Committee on Local Government & Housing Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
2026-03-17 Senate
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Local Government & Housing
2026-03-12 House
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
2026-03-11 House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
2026-03-06 House
House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
2026-03-03 House
House Committee on Transportation, Housing & Local Government Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
2026-02-18 House
Introduced In House - Assigned to Transportation, Housing & Local Government

Official Summary Text

Current law authorizes a local government to license and regulate the operation of massage facilities within the local government's jurisdiction and to prevent the operation of illicit massage businesses, which are businesses that engage in massage but also engage in human-trafficking-related offenses. For the purpose of local enforcement, the bill expands the definition of 'illicit massage business' to include a massage business that engages in crimes other than human-trafficking-related offenses.
Current law states that if a local government adopts a resolution or ordinance to establish business licensure requirements or to prohibit unlawful activities relating to illicit massage businesses, the resolution or ordinance must not be more restrictive than the requirements set forth in state law. The bill removes this limitation.
The bill clarifies that a local government may adopt a resolution or ordinance for the purposes of deterring illicit massage businesses; preventing human trafficking; protecting legitimate massage therapy businesses; and safeguarding public health, safety, and welfare.
The bill also allows a local government to impose local licensing requirements in addition to those requirements prescribed in state law.
Current law allows a local government to impose an administrative fee not to exceed $150 for issuing or renewing a license. The bill removes the $150 cap on such fees. Current law exempts businesses that held licenses before August 10, 2022, from the administrative fees. The bill removes this exemption.
If a local government imposes an administrative fee, the amount of the fee must be reasonably related to the costs of the local government related to the licensing of massage facilities. The fee must not exceed $500 unless necessary to cover the local government's costs of licensing the massage facilities in it's jurisdiction. The fee may be adjusted yearly for inflation.
Current law allows a local government to deny, revoke, or suspend a license under certain circumstances. The bill allows a local government to establish additional grounds to deny, revoke, or suspend a license.
Current law prohibits a person from owning a massage facility if the person:
Has not submitted to a required background check at least 30 days before assuming an ownership interest in the massage facility; or
Has been convicted of or entered a plea of nolo contendere that is accepted by the court for any of certain enumerated offenses.
The bill provides that, if a local government establishes business licensure requirements for massage facilities, the resolution or ordinance adopted by the local government must prohibit ownership of massage facilities by the types of persons that are prohibited from ownership in current law.
Current law states that preventing the operation of illicit massage businesses is a matter of statewide concern, and licensing and regulation of massage facilities is a matter of mixed statewide and local concern. The bill states that preventing the operation of illicit massage businesses is a matter of mixed statewide and local concern.

The bill requires a local government that adopts a resolution or ordinance related to the local regulation of massage facilities on or after August 13, 2026, to consider the impacts of the resolution or ordinance on legitimate massage therapy businesses and conduct outreach to massage therapists and massage therapy businesses in the local government's jurisdiction and statewide organizations of massage therapists.
(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)
(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Second Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REREVISED
This Version Includes All Amendments
Adopted in the Second House
LLS NO. 26-0687.01 Christopher McMichael x4775 HOUSE BILL 26-1257
House Committees Senate Committees
Transportation, Housing & Local Government Local Government & Housing
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING THE LOCAL REGULATION OF MASSAGE FACILITIES.101
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov.)
Current law authorizes a local government to license and regulate
the operation of massage facilities within the local government's
jurisdiction and to prevent the operation of illicit massage businesses,
which are businesses that engage in massage but also engage in
human-trafficking-related offenses. For the purpose of local enforcement,
the bill expands the definition of "illicit massage business" to include a
massage business that engages in crimes other than
human-trafficking-related offenses.
SENATE
3rd Reading Unamended
March 31, 2026
SENATE
Amended 2nd Reading
March 30, 2026
HOUSE
3rd Reading Unamended
March 12, 2026
HOUSE
Amended 2nd Reading
March 11, 2026
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Gonzalez R. and Rutinel, Bradley, Brooks, Brown, Ca rter, Clifford, Duran, Garcia
Sander, Keltie, Lieder, Nguyen, Phillips, Sirota, Slaugh, Story, Valdez, Weinberg, Woodrow
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Liston and Mullica, Coleman
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law.
Current law states that if a local government adopts a resolution or
ordinance to establish business licensure requirements or to prohibit
unlawful activities relating to illicit massage businesses, the resolution or
ordinance must not be more restrictive than the requirements set forth in
state law. The bill removes this limitation. The bill also allows a local
government to impose local licensing requirements in addition to those
requirements prescribed in state law.
Current law allows a local government to impose an administrative
fee not to exceed $150 for issuing or renewing a license. The bill removes
the $150 cap on such fees. Current law exempts businesses that held
licenses before August 10, 2022, from the administrative fees. The bill
removes this exemption.
Current law allows a local government to deny, revoke, or suspend
a license under certain circumstances. The bill allows a local government
to establish additional grounds to deny, revoke, or suspend a license.
Current law prohibits a person from owning a massage facility if
the person:
! Has not submitted to a required background check at least
30 days before assuming an ownership interest in the
massage facility; or
! Has been convicted of or entered a plea of nolo contendere
that is accepted by the court for any of certain enumerated
offenses.
The bill provides that, if a local government establishes business
licensure requirements for massage facilities, the resolution or ordinance
adopted by the local government must prohibit ownership of massage
facilities by the types of persons that are prohibited from ownership in
current law.
Current law states that preventing the operation of illicit massage
businesses is a matter of statewide concern, and licensing and regulation
of massage facilities is a matter of mixed statewide and local concern.
The bill states that preventing the operation of illicit massage businesses
is a matter of mixed statewide and local concern.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 30-15-401.4, amend2
(1)(a)(I), (1)(a)(II), (1)(a)(III), (1)(a)(IV) introductory portion,3
(1)(a)(IV)(A), (1)(b)(I), (2)(d), (3)(a), (3.5)(c), (4)(a) introductory portion,4
(4)(a)(II), (4)(a)(IV) introductory portion, (4)(a)(XI.5) introductory5
portion, (4)(a)(XI.5)(C), (4)(a)(XII) introductory portion, (4)(a)(XII)(D),6
1257-2-
(4.5)(a) introductory portion, (4.5)(a)(I), (5) introductory portion, (6), (7)1
introductory portion, (7)(g)(II), and (7)(h)(III); and add (1)(a)(I.5),2
(1)(a)(II.5), (1)(a)(III.5), (1)(a)(IX), (1)(a)(X), (3)(d), (4)(a)(XIII), and3
(7)(i) as follows:4
30-15-401.4. Statewide policy to prevent the operation of illicit5
massage businesses - local regulation authorized - background checks6
required - legislative declaration - definitions.7
(1) (a) The general assembly finds and declares that:8
(I) Illicit massage businesses present a facade of legitimate9
services, concealing that the primary business is the sex and labor10
trafficking of victims who are trapped in these businesses. T HE11
REPUTATION AND SUCCESS OF LEGITIMATE MASSAGE THERAPY BUSINESSES12
IS DENIGRATED AND UNDERMINED BY INDIVIDUALS WHO CONCEAL13
UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS HUMAN TRAFFICKING, BY FALSELY POSING14
AS MASSAGE THERAPY BUSINESSES.15
(I.5) THE OPERATION OF ILLICIT MASSAGE THERAPY BUSINESSES IS16
DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC AND CAN RESULT IN UNLAWFUL SEXUAL17
ACTIVITIES, HUMAN TRAFFICKING , ILLEGAL BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS ,18
ZONING VIOLATIONS, AND NUISANCE ACTIVITIES;19
(II) Human trafficking is a growing problem throughout Colorado.20
FROM 1977 UNTIL 2015, THE COLORADO MASSAGE PARLOR CODE21
AUTHORIZED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO REGULATE MASSAGE PARLORS22
THROUGH LICENSURE PROGRAMS . IN 2014, A SUNSET REVIEW23
RECOMMENDED SUNSETTING THE MASSAGE PARLOR CODE BASED ON A24
VIEW THAT THE CODE WAS NOT "A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN THE FIGHT25
AGAINST PROSTITUTION " AND WAS NOT NECESSA .RY TO PROTECT THE26
PUBLIC HEALTH , SAFETY , AND WELFARE . THE COLORADO MASSAGE27
1257-3-
PARLOR CODE WAS REPEALED IN 2015 BY SENATE BILL 15-122,1
DISMANTLING DOZENS OF LOCAL LICENSING SYSTEMS THAT LOCAL2
GOVERNMENTS HAD ENACTED TO ADDRESS HUMAN TRAFFICKING.3
(II.5) THE "MASSAGE THERAPY PRACTICE ACT", ARTICLE 235 OF4
TITLE 12, WAS ENACTED IN 2008 TO REGULATE THE PROFESSION OF5
MASSAGE THERAPY AND TO PROVIDE FOR CONSISTENT STATEWIDE6
CERTIFICATION AND OVERSIGHT OF MASSAGE THERAPISTS. THE "MASSAGE7
THERAPY PRACTICE ACT" PERMITS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO INSPECT8
MASSAGE THERAPY LICENSES AND BUSINESS PREMISES WHERE MASSAGE9
THERAPY IS CONDUCTED TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.10
(III) All local governments in the state already have authority to11
enact resolutions or ordinances to establish licensing authorities to12
regulate or otherwise regulate massage facilities and to deter and shut13
down illicit massage facilities WHERE THE FACILITIES EXIST OR ARE14
REASONABLY LIKELY TO OCCUR; and15
(III.5) I N 2018, THROUGH ITS AUTHORITY AS A HOME RULE16
MUNICIPALITY, THE CITY OF AURORA ENACTED AN ORDINANCE TO17
REGULATE MASSAGE FACILITIES TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING BY18
FOCUSING DIRECTLY ON THE PERPETRATORS OF TRAFFICKING AND THE19
DETERRENCE OF UNLAWFUL BEHAVIOR AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO20
TRADITIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPROACHES. OTHER MUNICIPALITIES21
FOLLOWED SUIT AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SUBSEQUENTLY ENACTED22
HOUSE BILL 22-1300 IN 2022 TO AUTHORIZE COUNTIES TO ENACT SIMILAR23
REGULATIONS.24
(IV) Because preventing the operation of illicit massage facilities25
by requiring current and prospective operators, owners, and employees of26
massage facilities to submit to periodic background checks is a matter of27
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statewide concern and licensing and other regulation of massage facilities1
is a matter of mixed statewide and local concern, that AND BECAUSE local2
governments have significant discretion to address ADOPT ORDINANCES3
AND RESOLUTIONS in accordance with local needs, it is necessary,4
appropriate, and in the best interest of all Coloradans to:5
(A) Require uniformly throughout the state as a matter of6
statewide policy, that every current and prospective operator, owner, and7
employee of a massage facility s ubmit to a background check, which8
generally means a fingerprint-based criminal history record check, as9
required by this section; and10
(IX) L OCAL REGULATION OF MASSAGE FACILITIES HAS BEEN11
EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING THE NUMBER OF ILLICIT MASSAGE BUSINESSES ,12
DETERRING THE LOCATION OF NEW ILLICIT MASSAGE BUSINESSES , AND13
FOCUSING ON THE BEHAVIOR OF PERPETRATORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING;14
AND15
(X) T HE LOCAL REGULATION OF MASSAGE FACILITIES ,16
IMPLEMENTED CONSISTENTLY WITH THE "MASSAGE THERAPY PRACTICE17
ACT", RECOGNIZES THAT MASSAGE THERAPY IS A LEGITIMATE18
HEALTH-CARE PROFESSION THAT PROVIDES BENEFITS TO THE RESIDENTS19
OF COLORADO.20
(b) The general assembly further finds and declares that:21
(I) A local government may adopt a resolution or ordinance to22
establish business licensure requirements to regulate massage facilities or23
to regulate and prohibit unlawful activities AT MASSAGE FACILITIES for the24
sole purpose of deterring illicit massage businesses, and preventing25
human trafficking, PROTECTING LEGITIMATE MASSAGE THERAPY26
BUSINESSES, AND SAFEGUARDING AND PROMOTING PUBLIC HEALTH ,27
1257-5-
SAFETY, AND WELFARE;1
(2) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:2
(d) "Illicit massage business" means a business that may provide3
PROVIDES massage but AND:4
(I) Engages in human-trafficking-related offenses, as described in5
sections SECTION 18-3-503 and OR 18-3-504; OR6
(II) C OMMITS OTHER OFFENSES AS DEFINED BY STATE LAW OR7
LOCAL ORDINANCE.8
(3) (a) In addition to any other powers, a local government may9
adopt a resolution or ordinance to establish business licensure10
requirements or to regulate and prohibit unlawful activities to prevent the11
operation of illicit massage businesses that engage in human12
trafficking-related offenses as described in sections 18-3-503 and13
18-3-504 If a local government adopts a resolution or ordinance to14
establish business licensure requirements pursuant to subsection (4) of15
this section or to prohibit unlawful activities pursuant to subsection (5) of16
this section, the resolution or ordinance must not be more restrictive than17
the requirements set forth in this section OR COMMIT OTHER OFFENSES AS18
DEFINED BY STATE LAW OR LOCAL ORDINANCE.19
(d) O N AND AFTER AUGUST 13, 2026, WHEN ADOPTING A20
RESOLUTION OR ORDINANCE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, A LOCAL21
GOVERNMENT SHALL CONSIDER THE IMPACTS OF THE RESOLUTION OR22
ORDINANCE ON LEGITIMATE MASSAGE THERAPY BUSINESSES AND23
CONDUCT OUTREACH TO MASSAGE THERAPISTS AND MASSAGE THERAPY24
BUSINESSES IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT'S JURISDICTION AND STATEWIDE25
ORGANIZATIONS OF MASSAGE THERAPISTS.26
(3.5) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3)(c) of this27
1257-6-
section, a local government shall establish a process in accordance with1
34 U.S.C. sec. 41101, which must be established by ordinance or2
resolution, in accordance with 34 U.S.C. sec. 41101; must meet the3
criteria established by the federal bureau of investigation in implementing4
34 U.S.C. sec. 41101; and must be performed in accordance with section5
24-33.5-424.5, to require that, as a condition for a person remaining as or6
becoming an operator, owner, or employee:7
(c) A prospective operator or owner submit to a background check8
performed in accordance with section 24-33.5-424.5 at least thirty days9
before, as applicable, being granted a license to operate a massage facility10
or assuming an ownership interest in a massage facility that would make11
the prospective owner an owner.12
(4) (a) If a local government adopts a resolution or ordinance to13
establish business licensure requirements for massage facilities as set14
forth in subsection (3)(a) of this section, the business licensure15
requirements may only include:16
(II) Requiring a reasonable administrative fee not to exceed one17
hundred fifty dollars for issuing or renewing licensure applications. The18
fee must not be based on the number of employees. This subsection19
(4)(a)(II) applies only to new businesses applying for a license or renewal20
on or after August 10, 2022. Businesses that hold a license before August21
10, 2022, are exempt from the administrative fees described in this22
subsection (4)(a)(II) THE ADMINISTRATIVE FEE ADOPTED BY THE LOCAL23
GOVERNMENT MUST BE REASONABLY RELATED TO THE COSTS OF THE24
LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN ADMINISTERING THE RESOLUTION OR ORDINANCE25
AND THE LICENSING OF MASSAGE FACILITIES. A FEE THAT EXCEEDS FIVE26
HUNDRED DOLLARS IS PRESUMED TO BE UNREASONABLE UNLESS THE27
1257-7-
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHES THAT A FEE GREATER THAN FIVE1
HUNDRED DOLLARS IS NECESSARY TO COVER THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT'S2
COSTS OF ADMINISTERING THE RESOLUTION OR ORDINANCE AND THE3
LICENSING OF MASSAGE FACILITIES. THE FEE MAY BE ADJUSTED FOR4
INFLATION OR DEFLATION BEGINNING ON JANUARY 1, 2028, AND ON5
JANUARY 1 OF EACH YEAR THEREAFTER. AS USED IN THIS SUBSECTION6
(4)(a)(II), "INFLATION OR DEFLATION" MEANS THE ANNUAL PERCENTAGE7
CHANGE IN THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S BUREAU OF8
LABOR STATISTICS CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, OR A SUCCESSOR INDEX, FOR9
DENVER-AURORA-LAKEWOOD FOR ALL ITEMS PAID FOR BY URBAN10
CONSUMERS. THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT MAY ROUND THE ADJUSTED FEE11
AMOUNT UPWARD OR DOWNWARD TO THE NEAREST DOLLAR.12
(IV) Allowing a licensing authority, or a THE licensing authority's13
designee, to deny an application FOR REASONS DESCRIBED IN THE14
ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT,15
INCLUDING if:16
(XI.5) Granting the A licensing authority, or the licensing17
authority's designees, authority to revoke or suspend a license FOR18
REASONS DESCRIBED IN THE ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE19
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING if:20
(C) An owner of the licensed massage facility has been convicted21
of or entered a plea of nolo contendere that is accepted by the court for an22
offense listed in subsection (4)(a)(IV)(C) of this section or is registered23
as a sex offender or is required by law to register as a sex offender, as24
described in section 16-22-103; and25
(XII) Granting a licensing authority, or THE licensing authority's26
designees, the authority to revoke or su spend a license for violating27
1257-8-
prohibited acts pursuant to subsection (5) of this section. A licensing1
authority, or the licensing authority's designees, may temporarily suspend2
a license with AND SCHEDULE a hearing to be scheduled within fifteen3
days when AFTER the licensing authority MAKES FINDINGS AS DESCRIBED4
IN THE ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT5
OR finds:6
(D) The licensee failed to permit an inspection at a time the7
massage facility was open for business; AND8
(XIII) A NY OTHER PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE BUSINESS9
LICENSURE OR OPERATION OF MASSAGE FACILITIES THAT ARE DEEMED10
NECESSARY BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC11
HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE, SO LONG AS THE RESOLUTION OR12
ORDINANCE DOES NOT CONFLICT WITH THE REGULATION OF THE PRACTICE13
OF MASSAGE THERAPY PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 235 OF TITLE 12.14
(4.5) (a) A person is prohibited from being an owner if the person15
either IF A LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADOPTS A RESOLUTION OR ORDINANCE TO16
ESTABLISH BUSINESS LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR MASSAGE FACILITIES17
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION , THE BUSINESS LICENSURE18
REQUIREMENTS MUST PROHIBIT A PERSON FROM OWNING A MASSAGE19
FACILITY IF THE PERSON:20
(I) Has not submitted to a required background check at least21
thirty days before assuming an ownership interest in a massage facility22
that would make the prospective owner an owner pursuant to subsections23
(4)(c) and (4)(c.5) of this section; or24
(5) A local government may adopt a resolution or ordinance to25
prohibit activities to prevent the operation of illicit massage businesses26
that engage in human trafficking-related offenses as described in sections27
1257-9-
18-3-503 and 18-3-504. Prohibited activities MAY include:1
(6) (a) If authorized by the local government COUNTY resolution2
or ordinance, a law enforcement officer may follow the penalty3
assessment procedure described in section 16-2-201 for any violation of4
the prohibitions set forth in subsection (5) of this section. As part of the5
local government COUNTY ordinance or resolution authorizing the penalty6
assessment procedure, the local government COUNTY may adopt a7
graduated fine schedule for violations of the prohibitions set forth in8
subsection (5) of this section. A graduated fine schedule may provide for9
increased penalty assessments for repeat offenses by the same person.10
(b) A local government COUNTY may specify in the resolution or11
ordinance that a massage facility that engages in two or more violations12
of the resolution or ordinance is a public nuisance, as described in section13
16-13-303, unless the violation is already a public nuisance, as described14
in section 16-13-303. The county attorney of a county, the city attorney15
of a city and county, the city or town attorney of a municipality, or the16
district attorney acting pursuant to section 16-13-302 may bring an action17
in the district court of the county for an injunction against the massage18
facility that violates the resolution or ordinance.19
(7) A RESOLUTION OR ORDINANCE ADOPTED BY A LOCAL20
GOVERNMENT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION MUST NOT CONSIDER ANY OF21
THE FOLLOWING TO BE A massage facility: does not include:22
(g) A place of business where a person offers to perform or23
performs massage therapy:24
(II) As part of a public or charity event in which the primary25
purpose is not to provide massage therapy; and26
(h) A place of business where a licensed massage therapist27
1257-10-
practices as a solo practitioner and:1
(III) Does not maintain or operate a table shower; AND2
(i) A HOTEL OR RESORT WITH AT LEAST FIFTY ROOMS, AT WHICH3
MASSAGE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AS AN ANCILLARY AMENITY.4
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 31-15-401, add (1)(s)5
as follows:6
31-15-401. General police powers.7
(1) In relation to the general police power, the governing bodies8
of municipalities have the following powers:9
(s) T O LICENSE AND REGULATE THE ESTABLISHMENT AND10
OPERATION OF MASSAGE FACILITIES TO PREVENT HUMAN TRAFFICKING11
AND THE OPERATION OF ILLICIT MASSAGE FACILITIES IN ACCORDANCE12
WITH SECTION 30-15-401.4.13
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 31-15-407, amend14
(1) as follows:15
31-15-407. Statewide policy to prevent the operation of illicit16
massage businesses - background checks required - legislative17
declaration.18
(1) The general assembly finds and declares that because19
preventing the operation of illicit massage businesses, as defined in20
section 30-15-401.4, is a matter of statewide concern, and licensing and21
regulation of massage facilities is a matter of mixed statewide and local22
concern, it is necessary, appropriate, and in the best interest of all23
Coloradans to require, uniformly throughout the state as a matter of24
statewide policy, that every current and prospective operator, owner, and25
employee of a massage facility submit to a background check, as defined26
in section 30-15-401.4 (2)(a.5), which generally means a27
1257-11-
fingerprint-based criminal history record check as required by section1
30-15-401.4.2
SECTION 4. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act3
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the4
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August5
12, 2026, if adjournment sine die is on May 13, 2026); except that, if a6
referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the7
state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act8
within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect9
unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in10
November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the11
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.12
1257-12-