House Committee of Reference Report
Committee on Transportation, Housing & Local Government
-
All text that will be removed from the bill will be indicated by strikethrough as follows:
-
This is text that is removed from law. -
Text that is added to a bill will be indicated by either all capitals or bold & italic as follows:
-
- This all capitals text would be added to law.
- This is bold & italic text that would be added to law.
April 28, 2026
After consideration on the merits, the Committee recommends the following:
SB26-150 be amended as follows, and as so amended, be referred to the Committee of the Whole with favorable recommendation:
Page 1, Line 1Amend reengrossed bill, page 6, line 24, strike "Senate Bill 26-___" and
Page 1, Line 2substitute "Senate Bill 26-150, enacted in 2026,".
Page 1, Line 3Page 7, line 3, after "2025-2026" insert "accountability".
Page 1, Line 4Page 7, line 5, strike "Senate Bill 26___." and substitute "Senate Bill
Page 1, Line 526-150, enacted in 2026.".
Page 1, Line 6Page 7, after line 5 insert:
Page 1, Line 7"SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 32-9-103, add (9.5)
Page 1, Line 8as follows:
Page 1, Line 932-9-103. Definitions.
Page 1, Line 10As used in this article 9, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 1, Line 11(9.5) "Paratransit" or "paratransit service" means
Page 1, Line 12complementary parallel transit service for individuals with
Page 1, Line 13disabilities who are unable to utilize regular or fixed-route
Page 1, Line 14transit service for some or all of their transit needs.".
Page 1, Line 15Renumber succeeding sections accordingly.
Page 1, Line 16Page 7, line 6, after "add" insert "(2.5),".
Page 1, Line 17Page 7, line 9, after "analysis" insert " - accessible transportation
Page 1, Line 18service plan".
Page 1, Line 19Page 7, strike line 11 and substitute:
Page 2, Line 1"(2.5) Paratransit service study and accessible transportation
Page 2, Line 2service plan.".
Page 2, Line 3Page 7, line 12, strike "(c)" and substitute "(a)".
Page 2, Line 4Page 7, line 14, strike "study and shall submit the" and substitute
Page 2, Line 5"study. The study must be completed by June 30, 2027.".
Page 2, Line 6Page 7, strike lines 15 through 20.
Page 2, Line 7Page 7, line 21, strike "energy committee.".
Page 2, Line 8Page 8, line 4, after "loss" insert "of".
Page 2, Line 9Page 9, line 3, strike "(d)" and substitute "(b)".
Page 2, Line 10Page 9, strike lines 6 through 9 and substitute "paratransit service
Page 2, Line 11study described in subsection (2.5)(a) of this section.".
Page 2, Line 12Page 9, line 10, strike "completing the plan.".
Page 2, Line 13Page 9, after line 24 insert:
Page 2, Line 14"(3) Reports.
Page 2, Line 15(c) On or before January 31, 2028, the district shall
Page 2, Line 16present the paratransit service study and accessible
Page 2, Line 17transportation service plan to a joint meeting of the house of
Page 2, Line 18representatives transportation, housing, and local government
Page 2, Line 19committee and the senate transportation and energy committee,
Page 2, Line 20or their successor committees.".
Page 2, Line 21Page 9, line 25, strike "(e)" and substitute "(d)".
Page 2, Line 22Page 10, line 5, strike "committee." and substitute "committee,
Page 2, Line 23created in section 24-38.5-124, as it existed prior to its repeal on
Page 2, Line 24July 1, 2026.".
Page 2, Line 25Page 10, after line 5 insert:
Page 2, Line 26"(e) On or before January 31, 2027, and on or before each
Page 2, Line 27January 31 thereafter, the district shall report on the
Page 2, Line 28following to a joint meeting of the house of representatives
Page 2, Line 29transportation, housing, and local government committee and
Page 2, Line 30the senate transportation and energy committee, or their
Page 3, Line 1successor committees:
Page 3, Line 2(I) The district's budget, including external funding, and
Page 3, Line 3financial performance;
Page 3, Line 4(II) Ridership;
Page 3, Line 5(III) The implementation of Senate Bill 25-161, enacted in
Page 3, Line 62025, including the district's progress in:
Page 3, Line 7(A) Delivering the projects identified in the ten-year
Page 3, Line 8strategic plan described in subsection (1) of this section and the
Page 3, Line 9comprehensive operational analysis described in subsection (2);
Page 3, Line 10and
Page 3, Line 11(B) Aligning with state climate goals as required by
Page 3, Line 12section 32-9-119.7 (9); and
Page 3, Line 13(IV) The implementation of this Senate Bill 26-150,
Page 3, Line 14enacted in 2026, including the district's progress on
Page 3, Line 15implementing its accessible transportation service plan
Page 3, Line 16described in subsection (2.5) of this section.".
Page 3, Line 17Page 10, line 7, strike "(1)(a);" and substitute "(1)(a) and (4);".
Page 3, Line 18Page 11, after line 20 insert:
Page 3, Line 19"(4) (a) Except as provided in this subsection (4), the regular term
Page 3, Line 20of office of directors shall be four years.
Page 3, Line 21(b) At the election held in 1982, eight members of the board shall
Page 3, Line 22be elected for two-year terms. The two-year terms shall be determined by
Page 3, Line 23lot at the first meeting of the board following the apportionment of
Page 3, Line 24director districts. Seven members shall be elected for four-year terms.
Page 3, Line 25(c) At the general election held in November 2028, two of
Page 3, Line 26the five members elected will be elected to two-year terms. The
Page 3, Line 27two-year terms will be determined by lot during the
Page 3, Line 28apportionment process pursuant to subsection (1)(c) of this
Page 3, Line 29section.".
Page 3, Line 30Page 12, after line 3 insert:
Page 3, Line 31"SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 32-9-109.5 as
Page 3, Line 32follows:
Page 3, Line 3332-9-111.5. Appointment of directors - dates - terms -
Page 3, Line 34vacancies - removal.
Page 3, Line 35(1) (a) On or before the day of the November general
Page 3, Line 36election, beginning in 2028, the governor shall appoint board
Page 3, Line 37members who must subsequently be confirmed by the senate. The
Page 3, Line 38appointed members' terms commence on January 1 following
Page 4, Line 1their appointment in the even-numbered year. The governor
Page 4, Line 2shall appoint the following members in accordance with this
Page 4, Line 3section:
Page 4, Line 4(I) One member from a list of nominees provided by the
Page 4, Line 5Denver regional council of governments in accordance with
Page 4, Line 6subsection (4) of this section;
Page 4, Line 7(II) One member who is a current or former member of the
Page 4, Line 8union that represents the largest collective bargaining unit of
Page 4, Line 9employees of the district; and
Page 4, Line 10(III) Two members at the governor's discretion and in
Page 4, Line 11compliance with this section.
Page 4, Line 12(b) On and after January 1, 2029, the four appointed
Page 4, Line 13members shall each reside within the district and represent the
Page 4, Line 14district at large.
Page 4, Line 15(c) In 2028, the governor shall appoint four new board
Page 4, Line 16members whose terms commence on January 1, 2029. In each
Page 4, Line 17even-numbered year thereafter, the governor shall appoint two
Page 4, Line 18members in accordance with this section to replace the two
Page 4, Line 19members whose terms are set to expire the following January 1.
Page 4, Line 20(2) (a) When appointing members, the governor shall
Page 4, Line 21ensure that the appointed members represent diverse geographic
Page 4, Line 22areas of the district, including suburban counties, and that the
Page 4, Line 23four members collectively possess expertise related to the
Page 4, Line 24following areas:
Page 4, Line 25(I) Public finance, such as operating and capital
Page 4, Line 26budgeting, fare revenue and subsidy structures, capital
Page 4, Line 27program delivery, asset management and lifecycle capital
Page 4, Line 28planning, or financial management of a public transportation
Page 4, Line 29system;
Page 4, Line 30(II) Land use and multimodal transportation planning,
Page 4, Line 31such as transit-oriented development, regional planning, or
Page 4, Line 32urban and rural mobility;
Page 4, Line 33(III) Transit operations, such as public transportation
Page 4, Line 34management, fleet operations, scheduling, or system
Page 4, Line 35performance; and
Page 4, Line 36(IV) Transit agency programs serving disproportionately
Page 4, Line 37impacted communities, as that term is defined in section 24-4-109
Page 4, Line 38(2)(b)(II).
Page 4, Line 39(b) The governor shall consider and give preference to
Page 4, Line 40individuals that have experience and a background in multiple
Page 4, Line 41areas listed in this subsection (2), but a member appointed to the
Page 4, Line 42board in accordance with this section is not required to possess
Page 4, Line 43expertise in more than one area listed in this subsection (2).
Page 5, Line 1(3) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (3),
Page 5, Line 2the regular term of office of members appointed by the governor
Page 5, Line 3and confirmed by the senate in accordance with this section is
Page 5, Line 4four years. Members may serve up to two terms, with each term
Page 5, Line 5expiring after a member has served for four consecutive
Page 5, Line 6calendar years. Any term served by a member that lasts for less
Page 5, Line 7than two years does not count toward the member's two-term
Page 5, Line 8limit.
Page 5, Line 9(b) Of the initially appointed members whose terms begin
Page 5, Line 10on January 1, 2029, the two members appointed at the governor's
Page 5, Line 11discretion in accordance with subsection (1)(a)(III) of this
Page 5, Line 12section serve initial terms of two years.
Page 5, Line 13(4) (a) (I) Beginning in 2028, no fewer than thirty days
Page 5, Line 14before the day of the November general election in an
Page 5, Line 15even-numbered year, the Denver regional council of
Page 5, Line 16governments shall provide the governor with a list of nominees
Page 5, Line 17for board appointments, from which the governor shall select
Page 5, Line 18a member to appoint to the board pursuant to subsection (1)(a)(I)
Page 5, Line 19of this section. The list must contain at least three qualified
Page 5, Line 20nominees. If the Denver regional council of governments fails
Page 5, Line 21to provide a list within the required time frame, the governor
Page 5, Line 22may appoint a member to the board at the governor's discretion
Page 5, Line 23and in compliance with this section.
Page 5, Line 24(II) When selecting individuals for the list of nominees,
Page 5, Line 25the Denver regional council of governments shall:
Page 5, Line 26(A) Consider and give preference to individuals that have
Page 5, Line 27experience and a background in multiple areas listed in
Page 5, Line 28subsection (2)(a) of this section; and
Page 5, Line 29(B) Make reasonable efforts to ensure that the nominees
Page 5, Line 30reflect the geographic and demographic diversity of the
Page 5, Line 31district's ridership and service area and that the nominee list
Page 5, Line 32includes individuals from diverse racial, cultural, disability,
Page 5, Line 33and gender backgrounds and individuals representing both
Page 5, Line 34urban and suburban communities within the district.
Page 5, Line 35(b) Beginning in 2028, no fewer than thirty days before the
Page 5, Line 36day of the November general election in an even-numbered year,
Page 5, Line 37the union that represents the largest collective bargaining unit
Page 5, Line 38of employees of the district shall provide the governor with a
Page 5, Line 39list of at least three qualified nominees for the member
Page 5, Line 40appointed in accordance with subsection (1)(a)(II) of this section.
Page 5, Line 41(5) (a) If the seat of a member that was appointed in
Page 5, Line 42accordance with subsection (1)(a)(I) of this section is vacant, the
Page 5, Line 43Denver regional council of governments shall, within sixty
Page 6, Line 1days after the vacancy occurs and in compliance with
Page 6, Line 2subsection (4) of this section, provide the governor with a list of
Page 6, Line 3at least three qualified nominees for the vacant member seat.
Page 6, Line 4The governor shall, within sixty days after receiving the list or
Page 6, Line 5sixty days after the vacancy occurs, whichever is later, appoint
Page 6, Line 6a member from the list to fill the vacancy. If the Denver
Page 6, Line 7regional council of governments fails to provide a list within
Page 6, Line 8the required time frame, the governor may appoint a member to
Page 6, Line 9fill the vacancy at the governor's discretion and in compliance
Page 6, Line 10with this section.
Page 6, Line 11(b) If the seat of a member that was appointed in
Page 6, Line 12accordance with subsection (1)(a)(II) of this section is vacant,
Page 6, Line 13the union that represents the largest collective bargaining unit
Page 6, Line 14of employees of the district shall, within sixty days after the
Page 6, Line 15vacancy occurs, provide the governor with a list of at least
Page 6, Line 16three qualified nominees for the vacant member seat. The
Page 6, Line 17governor may appoint a member to fill the vacancy in
Page 6, Line 18compliance with this section.
Page 6, Line 19(c) If the seat of a member that was appointed in
Page 6, Line 20accordance with subsection (1)(a)(III) of this section is vacant,
Page 6, Line 21the governor shall, within sixty days after the vacancy occurs,
Page 6, Line 22appoint a member to fill the vacancy at the governor's
Page 6, Line 23discretion and in compliance with this section.
Page 6, Line 24(d) The term of a member that fills a vacancy in
Page 6, Line 25accordance with this subsection (5) expires when the term of the
Page 6, Line 26former vacating member would have expired.
Page 6, Line 27(6) The governor may remove a member appointed in
Page 6, Line 28accordance with this section for malfeasance in office, neglect
Page 6, Line 29of duty, failure to regularly attend meetings, or any other
Page 6, Line 30cause that renders the member incapable or unfit to discharge
Page 6, Line 31the duties of the board. If any member is absent from two
Page 6, Line 32consecutive meetings without reasonable cause, as determined
Page 6, Line 33by the board chairperson, the chairperson shall notify the
Page 6, Line 34governor, who may remove the absent member and appoint a
Page 6, Line 35qualified replacement for the unexpired term.
Page 6, Line 36(7) A prospective member to be appointed in accordance
Page 6, Line 37with this section shall disclose any potential conflicts of
Page 6, Line 38interest to the governor and the relevant senate committee of
Page 6, Line 39reference of the general assembly prior to confirmation by the
Page 6, Line 40senate and shall disclose any conflicts that arise during the
Page 6, Line 41member's term at a public board meeting. Failure to disclose a
Page 6, Line 42known conflict of interest, or taking action on a matter in
Page 6, Line 43which the member has an undisclosed conflict of interest,
Page 7, Line 1constitutes cause for removal by the governor pursuant to
Page 7, Line 2subsection (6) of this section.".
Page 7, Line 3Renumber succeeding sections accordingly.
Page 7, Line 4Page 12, line 6, after "Vacancies" insert "of elected members".
Page 7, Line 5Page 13, line 19, strike "(3)" and substitute "(3); and add (4)".
Page 7, Line 6Page 13, line 22, strike "Effective January 1, 1983," and substitute
Page 7, Line 7"Effective On and after January 1, 1983, but before January 1,
Page 7, Line 82029," and strike "shall require" and substitute "shall require requires".
Page 7, Line 9Page 13, line 23, strike "eight five" and substitute "eight".
Page 7, Line 10Page 13, after line 23 insert:
Page 7, Line 11"(4) On and after January 1, 2029, any action of the board
Page 7, Line 12requires the affirmative vote of at least five members present
Page 7, Line 13and voting.".
Page 7, Line 14Page 13, line 24, after "amend" insert "(1) and".
Page 7, Line 15Page 13, after line 26 insert:
Page 7, Line 16"(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section,
Page 7, Line 17Effective January 1, 1983, through December 31, 2008, each director
Page 7, Line 18shall receive a sum of three thousand dollars per annum.".
Page 7, Line 19Page 14, strike lines 8 through 16 and substitute "each director whose
Page 7, Line 20term begins on or after January 1, 2029, receives a sum of
Page 7, Line 21thirty-six thousand dollars per annum, payable at the rate of
Page 7, Line 22three thousand dollars per month.".
Page 7, Line 23Page 14, line 18, strike "after the" and substitute "on or after
Page 7, Line 24January 1, 2029, receives an annual sum, payable in monthly
Page 7, Line 25installments,".
Page 7, Line 26Page 14, strike line 19.
Page 7, Line 27Page 14, lines 23 and 24, strike "(4)(d); and add (5), (6), (7), (8), (9),
Page 7, Line 28(10), and (11)" and substitute "(4)(d)".
Page 7, Line 29
Page 8, Line 1Page 14, line 25, strike "powers." and substitute "powers - reports.".
Page 8, Line 2Page 15, line 4, strike "persons, five of" and substitute "individuals as
Page 8, Line 3follows:
Page 8, Line 4(I) Five eligible electors residing within a director
Page 8, Line 5district, elected as provided in section 32-9-111; and
Page 8, Line 6(II) Four eligible electors residing within the district and
Page 8, Line 7representing the district at large, appointed by the governor
Page 8, Line 8and confirmed by the senate in accordance with section
Page 8, Line 932-9-111.5.".
Page 8, Line 10Page 15, strike lines 5 through 8.
Page 8, Line 11Page 15, line 9, strike "five".
Page 8, Line 12Page 15, line 26, strike "strategic plan;" and substitute "ten-year
Page 8, Line 13strategic plan set forth in section 32-9-165 (1);".
Page 8, Line 14Page 16, strike lines 6 through 27.
Page 8, Line 15Strike pages 17 through 21.
Page 8, Line 16Page 22, strike lines 1 through 20.
Page 8, Line 17Page 22, strike lines 24 through 26 and substitute:
Page 8, Line 18"(1) No A director, officer, employee, or agent of the district shall
Page 8, Line 19be interested not have an interest in any contract or transaction with
Page 8, Line 20the district except in his an official representative capacity.".
Page 8, Line 21Page 23, after line 10 insert:
Page 8, Line 22"SECTION 13. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 32-9-119.7, add
Page 8, Line 23(13) as follows:
Page 8, Line 2432-9-119.7. Cost efficiency of transit services - climate goals -
Page 8, Line 25employee retention goals - subregional service council coordination
Page 8, Line 26- reporting - plans - definition - repeal.
Page 8, Line 27(13) (a) On and after January 1, 2027, to support the
Page 8, Line 28subregional service councils created by the district, the
Page 8, Line 29district shall:
Page 8, Line 30(I) Provide dedicated staff to co-chair and support each
Page 8, Line 31subregional service council; and
Page 8, Line 32(II) Work with subregional service council members to
Page 9, Line 1identify a local leader to co-chair each subregional service
Page 9, Line 2council.
Page 9, Line 3(b) On and after July 1, 2028, the subregional service
Page 9, Line 4councils shall made recommendations to the board on:
Page 9, Line 5(I) Aligning district transit services with local and
Page 9, Line 6regional plans;
Page 9, Line 7(II) Implementing joint projects to address service gaps;
Page 9, Line 8(III) Leveraging existing intergovernmental agreements
Page 9, Line 9and projects for expanded service delivery;
Page 9, Line 10(IV) Identifying strategies to expand funding; and
Page 9, Line 11(V) Considerations of equity, ridership, demand, and
Page 9, Line 12long-term regional growth.
Page 9, Line 13(c) The board shall meet at least twice per year to receive
Page 9, Line 14recommendations from the subregional service councils as
Page 9, Line 15described in subsection (13)(b) of this section.
Page 9, Line 16(d) Annually beginning in 2028, the district shall report
Page 9, Line 17to the transportation legislation review committee created in
Page 9, Line 18section 43-2-145 (1)(a) and to a joint meeting of the house of
Page 9, Line 19representatives transportation, housing, and local government
Page 9, Line 20committee and the senate transportation and energy committee,
Page 9, Line 21or their successor committees, on the subregional service
Page 9, Line 22council recommendations and the district's responses thereto."
Page 9, Line 23Renumber succeeding section accordingly.