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HB26-1300 • 2026

Health Service District Affordable Housing Service

Under current law, a special district is required to conform to its approved service plan and must petition the governing body of the county or municipality that approved the formation of the special

Elections Healthcare Housing Taxes
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Rep. M. Soper, Rep. S. Woodrow, Sen. C. Kipp, Rep. J. Bacon, Rep. A. Boesenecker, Rep. C. Clifford, Rep. M. Duran, Rep. J. Jackson, Rep. J. Joseph, Rep. M. Lindsay, Rep. J. Mabrey, Rep. J. McCluskie, Rep. J. Phillips, Rep. K. Stewart, Rep. R. Stewart, Rep. T. Story, Rep. A. Valdez
Last action
2026-04-08
Official status
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Local Government & Housing
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details about the funding for these new services.

Health Service District Affordable Housing Services

This bill allows health service districts in Colorado to provide affordable housing services without needing special approval, as long as the board agrees and works with local public housing groups.

What This Bill Does

  • Expands the ability of health service districts to add or terminate affordable housing services from their plans without seeking additional approval.
  • Defines 'affordable housing services' as activities related to planning, financing, acquisition, construction, reconstruction, repair, maintenance, management, and operation of affordable housing projects.
  • Requires that any changes in affordable housing services be approved by a majority vote of the health service district's board of directors.
  • Specifies that these services must be coordinated with local public housing entities like authorities or agencies.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Health service districts in Colorado
  • Local public housing entities and residents who may benefit from affordable housing projects

Terms To Know

Affordable Housing Services
Activities related to planning, financing, acquisition, construction, reconstruction, repair, maintenance, management, and operation of affordable housing-related projects or programs.
Health Service District
A special district in Colorado that provides health care services or operates public hospitals and clinics.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how the funding for these new services will be provided.
  • It is unclear what happens if a change affects an existing license or certificate of compliance issued by the department of public health and environment.

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 the requirements for health service districts to include coordination with local housing entities and defines what qualifies as affordable housing.

  • Health service districts must now coordinate their affordable housing services with local public housing authorities, agencies, and government entities responsible for assessing housing needs.
  • Defines 'affordable housing' as housing that meets community needs identified in a recent housing assessment and is supported by the health service district.
  • Adds new section 7 to ensure local governments can still enforce their own affordable housing policies.
  • The amendment text does not specify how coordination with local entities will be implemented or enforced.
L.002

Second Reading

Passed [**]

Plain English: The amendment changes the phrase 'ADDITION' to 'ADDITION OR TERMINATION' in specific places within the bill.

  • Adds the word 'TERMINATION' after 'ADDITION' at two locations in the bill.
  • The exact implications of this change are not clear without additional context about what these terms mean in the broader bill text.
L.003

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: The amendment changes the requirement for a special district to add affordable housing services by adding a provision that requires voter approval through an election.

  • Adds a new condition requiring eligible voters in the district to approve, through either a general or special election, any addition of affordable housing services.
  • The amendment does not specify what happens if voters do not approve the addition of affordable housing services.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-08 Senate

    Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Local Government & Housing

  2. 2026-04-02 House

    House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

  3. 2026-03-31 House

    House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

  4. 2026-03-30 House

    House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor

  5. 2026-03-25 House

    House Committee on Transportation, Housing & Local Government Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole

  6. 2026-02-25 House

    Introduced In House - Assigned to Transportation, Housing & Local Government

Official Summary Text

Under current law, a special district is required to conform to its approved service plan and must petition the governing body of the county or municipality that approved the formation of the special district for approval of any material modifications of its approved service plan. Material modifications include a change in services provided by the special district, a decrease in the financial ability of the district to discharge existing or proposed indebtedness, and a decrease in the existing or projected need for organized service in the district's service area. The court that approved the organization of the special district may enjoin any material departure from the district's service plan as originally approved or from the district's service plan as modified.
In the case of a health service district, a change in service by the district is not a material modification to or departure from the district's approved service plan, unless the change affects the license or certificate of compliance issued to the district by the department of public health and environment. The bill expands this provision to provide that the addition
or termination
of affordable housing services to a health service district's service plan is not a material modification to or departure from the district's approved service plan so long as a majority of the board of directors of the district affirmatively votes to approve the addition
or termination
of affordable housing services
and any affordable housing services are carried out in coordination with local public housing entities
. With this change, a health service district is able to provide affordable housing services, which are defined as the planning, financing, acquisition, construction, reconstruction or
repair, maintenance, management, and operation of affordable housing-related projects or programs

rehabilitation of affordable housing, or the provision of related supportive services
, without needing to seek approval for a material modification to or departure from the district's approved service plan.
The bill also makes conforming amendments.
(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
REENGROSSED
This Version Includes All Amendments
Adopted in the House of Introduction
LLS NO. 26-0681.01 Rebecca Bayetti x4348 HOUSE BILL 26-1300
House Committees Senate Committees
Transportation, Housing & Local Government
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING THE ABILITY OF A HEALTH SERVICE DISTRICT TO101
PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING SERVICES.102
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.)
Under current law, a special district is required to conform to its
approved service plan and must petition the governing body of the county
or municipality that approved the formation of the special district for
approval of any material modifications of its approved service plan.
Material modifications include a change in services provided by the
special district, a decrease in the financial ability of the district to
HOUSE
3rd Reading Unamended
April 2, 2026
HOUSE
Amended 2nd Reading
March 30, 2026
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Woodrow and Soper, Bacon, Boesenecker, Clifford, Duran, Jackson, Joseph, Lindsay,
Mabrey, McCluskie, Phillips, Stewart K., Stewart R., Story, Valdez
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Kipp,
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.
discharge existing or proposed indebtedness, and a decrease in the
existing or projected need for organized service in the district's service
area. The court that approved the organization of the special district may
enjoin any material departure from the district's service plan as originally
approved or from the district's service plan as modified.
In the case of a health service district, a change in service by the
district is not a material modification to or departure from the district's
approved service plan, unless the change affects the license or certificate
of compliance issued to the district by the department of public health and
environment. The bill expands this provision to provide that the addition
of affordable housing services to a health service district's service plan is
not a material modification to or departure from the district's approved
service plan so long as a majority of the board of directors of the district
affirmatively votes to approve the addition of affordable housing services.
With this change, a health service district is able to provide affordable
housing services, which are defined as the planning, financing,
acquisition, construction, reconstruction or repair, maintenance,
management, and operation of affordable housing-related projects or
programs, without needing to seek approval for a material modification
to or departure from the district's approved service plan.
The bill also makes conforming amendments.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 32-1-207, amend (4)2
as follows:3
32-1-207. Compliance - modification - enforcement.4
(4) (a) In the case of a health service district, a change in service5
by the district is not deemed material unless the change affects the license6
or certificate of compliance issued by the department of public health and7
environment.8
(b) IN THE CASE OF A HEALTH SERVICE DISTRICT, THE ADDITION OR9
TERMINATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING SERVICES, AS DEFINED IN SECTION10
32-19-102 (2), TO THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DISTRICT IS NOT A11
MATERIAL MODIFICATION TO OR DEPARTURE FROM THE DISTRICT 'S12
APPROVED SERVICE PLAN SO LONG AS A MAJORITY OF THE BOARD OF13
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DIRECTORS OF THE DISTRICT AFFIRMATIVELY VOTES TO APPROVE THE1
ADDITION OR TERMINATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING SERVICES AND ANY2
AFFORDABLE HOUSING SERVICES ARE CARRIED OUT IN COORDINATION3
WITH LOCAL PUBLIC HOUSING ENTITIES , INCLUDING LOCAL PUBLIC4
HOUSING AUTHORITIES, LOCAL HOUSING AGENCIES, AND THE LOCAL5
GOVERNMENT ENTITY RESPONSIBLE FOR CONDUCTING AN APPLICABLE6
REGIONAL OR LOCAL HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT.7
(c) A health service district is exempt from subsection (3)(b) and8
(3)(c) of this section.9
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 32-1-1003, amend10
(1)(c), (5) introductory portion, and (5)(a); and add (1)(b.5) as follows:11
32-1-1003. Health service districts - additional powers.12
(1) In addition to the powers specified in section 32-1-1001, the13
board of any health service district has any or all of the following powers14
for and on behalf of such district:15
(b.5) TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING SERVICES, AS DEFINED IN16
SECTION 32-19-102 (2);17
(c) To draw warrants against health service district funds held by18
the county treasurer for the purposes set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of19
this subsection (1) SUBSECTIONS (1)(a), (1)(b), AND (1)(b.5) OF THIS20
SECTION;21
(5) Any health service district that is created pursuant to this22
article shall have the power, upon approval by the eligible electors of the23
district, to levy and collect a uniform sales tax throughout the entire24
geographic area of the district upon every transaction or other incident25
with respect to which a sales tax is levied by the state pursuant to the26
provisions of article 26 of title 39, C.R.S., excluding the sale of cigarettes,27
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subject to the following provisions:1
(a) For purposes of this subsection (5), "eligible elector" shall2
have HAS the same meaning as set forth in section 32-19-102 (3) SECTION3
32-19-102 (5).4
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 32-1-1003.5, amend5
(5)(a) as follows:6
32-1-1003.5. Health assurance districts - additional powers -7
legislative declaration - definitions.8
(5) Any health assurance district that is created pursuant to this9
article 1 shall have the power, upon approval by the eligible electors of10
the district, to levy and collect a uniform sales tax throughout the entire11
geographic area of the district upon every transaction or other incident12
with respect to which a sales tax is levied by the state pursuant to the13
provisions of article 26 of title 39, excluding the sale of cigarettes, subject14
to the following provisions:15
(a) For purposes of this subsection (5), "eligible elector" shall16
have HAS the same meaning as set forth in section 32-19-102 (3) SECTION17
32-19-102 (5).18
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 32-19-102 as19
follows:20
32-19-102. Definitions.21
As used in this article ARTICLE 19, unless the context otherwise22
requires:23
24
(1) "AFFORDABLE HOUSING" MEANS HOUSING THAT:25
(a) IS CONSTRUCTED, REHABILITATED, OR OTHERWISE SUPPORTED26
BY A HEALTH SERVICE DISTRICT;27
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(b) M EETS DEMONSTRATED COMMUNITY NEEDS FOR PUBLICLY1
FUNDED HOUSING AS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNTY 'S OR MUNICIPALITY'S2
MOST RECENT HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT CONDUCTED PURS UANT TO3
PART 37 OF ARTICLE 32 OF TITLE 24 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE REGIONAL4
OR LOCAL HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR THE COUNTY OR5
MUNICIPALITY IN WHICH THE HEALTH SERVICE DISTRICT IS LOCATED; AND6
(c) I F APPLICABLE , IS SUBJECT TO A RECORDED RESTRICTIVE7
COVENANT WITH AFFORDABILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DURATION OF8
ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED FOR THE HOUSING.9
(2) "A FFORDABLE HOUSING SERVICES " MEANS THE PLANNING ,10
FINANCING, ACQUISITION , CONSTRUCTION , RECONSTRUCTION , OR11
REHABILITATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING OR THE PROVISION OF RELATED12
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.13
(1) (3) "Court" means the district court in any county in which the14
petition for organization of the district was originally filed and which15
entered the order organizing said district or the district court to which the16
file pertaining to the district has been transferred pursuant to section17
32-1-303 (1)(b).18
(2) (4) "District" means:19
(a) A health assurance district created pursuant to this article20
ARTICLE 19 to organize, operate, control, direct, manage, contract for,21
furnish, or provide, directly or indirectly, health-care services to residents22
of the district who are in need of such services; or23
(b) A health service district created pursuant to this article24
ARTICLE 19 that may establish, maintain, or operate, directly or indirectly25
through lease to or from other parties or other arrangement, public26
hospitals, convalescent centers, nursing care facilities, intermediate care27
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facilities, emergency facilities, community clinics, or other facilities1
providing health and personal care services and may organize, own,2
operate, control, direct, manage, contract for, or furnish ambulance3
service.4
(3) (5) "Eligible elector" means a person who, at the designated5
time or event, is registered to vote pursuant to the "Uniform Election6
Code of 1992", articles 1 to 13 of title 1. C.R.S.7
(4) (6) "Interested party" means a resident or eligible elector of the8
district or a municipality located in the district.9
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 32-19-108, amend10
(3) and (4) as follows:11
32-19-108. Public hearing on service plan - procedures -12
decision - judicial review - modifications - enforcement.13
(3) The board of county commissioners of the county in which the14
district will be located or the governing body of the municipality in which15
the district will be located, whichever is applicable, shall conduct the16
hearing pursuant to section 32-1-204 (1.5) and make its decision in17
accordance with the requirements of section 32-1-204 (3) and (4). The18
decision of the board or governing body, whichever is applicable, is19
subject to judicial review in accordance with section 32-1-206; except20
that, for purposes of judicial review, "interested party" shall have HAS the21
same meaning as set forth in section 32-19-102 (4) SECTION 32-19-10222
(6).23
(4) Upon final approval by the court for the organization of a24
district pursuant to section 32-1-304.5, the district shall conform as much25
as possible to the approved service plan, and any material modifications26
to the plan shall be approved in accordance with section 32-1-207 (2)27
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SECTION 32-1-207 (2) AND (4). Any material departure from the plan may1
be enjoined in accordance with section 32-1-207 (3); except that, for2
purposes of enforcement of the plan, "interested party" shall have HAS the3
same meaning as set forth in section 32-19-102 (4) SECTION 32-19-1024
(6).5
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 32-19-110, amend6
(2) as follows:7
32-19-110. Time for holding elections - persons entitled to vote8
at district elections.9
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 32-1-806, any10
person who is an eligible elector as defined in section 32-19-102 (3)11
SECTION 32-19-102 (5) shall be eligible to vote in an organizational12
election or any election conducted by the board of directors for a district.13
SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 32-19-116 as14
follows:15
32-19-116. Construction of article - local government16
authority.17
NOTHING IN THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO ALTER THE18
AUTHORITY OF A LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN APPLYING AND ENFORCING19
APPLICABLE ORDINANCES, DEED RESTRICTIONS, COMMUNITY BENEFIT20
AGREEMENTS, DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS, OR OTHER AFFORDABLE21
HOUSING POLICIES AND STANDARDS.22
SECTION 8. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act23
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the24
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August25
12, 2026, if adjournment sine die is on May 13, 2026); except that, if a26
referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the27
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state constitution against this act or an item, section, or pa rt of this act1
within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect2
unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in3
November 2026 a nd, in such cas e, will take effect on the date of the4
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.5
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