New Colorado Laws Take Effect July 1

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Nearly two dozen new laws are now in effect across Colorado as of July 1, covering everything from firearms regulation and civil lawsuits to crisis response and employment standards. Here’s a breakdown of key laws that just went into effect:

Protecting Victims in Civil Sexual Misconduct Lawsuits
House Bill 25-1138
This law limits what can be used as evidence in civil sexual misconduct cases. It bans the use of a victim’s past or future sexual conduct with the defendant, as well as irrelevant factors like clothing, hairstyle, lifestyle, or speech—unless shown to be directly relevant.

Concealed Carry Permits & Training Requirements
House Bill 24-1174
The final provisions of this law now require enhanced training and stricter qualifications for obtaining or renewing a concealed carry permit. It also prohibits issuance of a permit if the applicant has specific misdemeanor convictions within the past five years.

Firearms Dealer Permits
House Bill 24-1353
All firearms dealers in Colorado must now obtain a state permit to legally sell firearms. Operating without this permit could result in fines up to $250,000.

Crisis Services Hotline Consolidation
Senate Bill 25-236
This law merges the Colorado Crisis Services hotline with the 988 national suicide and mental health crisis line. All calls to Colorado Crisis Services are now redirected to 988 for streamlined support.

Tip Offsets for Tipped Workers
House Bill 25-1208
Local governments with higher minimum wages than the state can now raise the amount of tip credit (tip offset) applied to tipped workers—as long as workers still earn no less than the state minimum wage minus $3.02 per hour.

Children with Complex Health Needs Waiver
House Bill 25-1003
Two Medicaid waiver programs for children have been combined into a single, streamlined waiver called the Children with Complex Health Needs Waiver Program.

Repealed Programs

Senate Bill 25-231: Repeals the Inclusive Higher Education Act, which provided grant funding to support students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Senate Bill 25-232: Repeals the Recovery-Friendly Workplace Program that supported employers hiring individuals recovering from substance use disorders.

Other Laws Now in Effect Include:

HB 24-1045 – Treatment for Substance Use Disorders
HB 25-1105 – PERA True-up for Denver Public Schools
HB 25-1146 – Cap on Juvenile Detention Beds
HB 25-1148 – Changes to Protection Orders
SB 25-046 – Local Government Tax Audit Confidentiality
SB 25-216 – Eliminates Reprinting of Education Laws
SB 25-217 – Repeals Computer Science Education Grant Program
SB 25-220 – Exam Fee Grant Program for College Access
SB 25-261 – Property Tax Deferral Program Changes
SB 25-265 – Changes Cash Fund Appropriation Requirements
SB 25-266 – Repeals Statutory Appropriation Requirements
SB 25-291 – Criminal Justice Spending Authority for Community Corrections

Stay tuned as the impacts of these new laws begin to shape public policy, safety, education, and healthcare across the state.

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