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Senate Local Government & Housing

Thursday, April 2, 2026·25m·▶ Watch / Listen

A single bill dominated the Senate Local Government & Housing hearing: HB26-1239, a Colorado Counties Incorporated priority to give counties the same code-enforcement teeth cities already have, which cleared unanimously to the consent calendar after commissioners recounted burning buildings and years-long violations.

Key Actions

·County Enforcement AuthorityPassed

Notable Quotes

In one case, a property went without running water for 18 months. There were multiple individuals that were living in vehicles and unsafe structures with no utilities, no heat, no water. In order to remain warm. Fires were set which ultimately led to buildings burning down. The yard was being used as a restroom and neighboring homes were less than 50, 50 foot away.

Calvin Bernhardt (Morgan County Commissioner) · witnessThe concrete public-safety case for stronger county enforcement, from a commissioner who lived it.

+ 3 more quotes

Votes

Referred to Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendarAction
Yes (5)Mark Baisley, Matt Ball, William Lindstedt, Marc Snyder, Tony Exum
Excused (2)Larry Liston, Janice Rich
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TranscriptPreview
Objection. The Senate Low Government Housing Committee will come to order. Ms. Alaro, please call the vote. Senators Basley. President Ball, I. Here. Linstead. President Liston. Excuse. Rich. Excuse. Snider here. Mr. Chair, good afternoon. We only have one bill on the agenda, and so we will get started with Senator Mullica on House Bill 1239. Welcome. Hey, thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you for having me back before your committee. This is a little bit of a different bill than I was here for before, and excited to be presenting it. I'm pleased to bring you House Bill 1239. It's a Code Enforcement Authority bill. House Bill 1239 addresses the cumbersome elements of how counties go about enforcing violations of codes in their communities. Importantly, House Bill 1239 does not give counties any new authorities, and code violations remain entirely the responsibility of the county. Counties may adopt codes over pests, noxious weeds, building and zoning violations, but they will do so based on the character of their community, which is local control at its finest. Rather, House Bill 1239 addresses the cumbersome and ineffective elements in state statute the counties utilize If a violation occurs. Citizens remain encouraged
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