(The Center Square) – On Jan. 1, over a dozen new laws went into effect in Colorado.
Over the past year, nearly 500 bills were signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis. While many of those went into effect immediately, others waited until the start of the new year.
The new laws cover everything from abortion to guns, car seats and rent. Here’s an overview of some of the most notable laws that just went into effect, as well as the 2026 increase in Colorado’s minimum wage.
State-funded abortions
Senate Bill 183 formalizes Amendment 79, which repealed the state constitutional amendment prohibiting the use of public funds to pay for abortions.
Now, state-funded insurance programs — like Medicaid — will cover abortions. The bill appropriated nearly $3 million to help fund those expanded services.
Car seats
House Bill 1179 requires car insurance companies fund the replacement of child restraint systems, such as boosters and car seats, following a car accident.
Renter protections
House Bill 1090 looks to protect Colorado consumers and renters.
Titled “Protections Against Deceptive Pricing Practices,” it requires sellers to clearly disclose the total price of goods and services. It also restricts which fees landlords may charge.
Under House Bill 1236, landlords can no longer require prospective tenants using a housing subsidy to include a credit history report, a credit score or an adverse credit event.
In another bill dealing with rentals, House Bill 1249 changes what a landlord can cite as just cause for retaining all or part of a tenant’s security deposit.
Gun shows
House Bill 1238 imposes further restrictions on gun shows in the state. Notably, it requires the gun show promoter to prepare a security plan and submit it to local law enforcement.
It also requires the promoter to have liability insurance, implement security measures and prohibit unaccompanied minors from entering the gun show.
Minimum wage
While the state’s minimum wage was not raised by a new law, it did increase at the beginning of 2026.
Colorado was one of 23 states that saw an increase in its minimum wage — to $15.16 from 2025’s minimum of $14.81.
Nationally, the federal minimum wage remained at $7.25 per hour. The most-recent adjustment of that wage was in 2009, making this the longest period of Congress not updating the federal minimum wage since it was first enacted in 1938.
