This digest is written to pull together what Healthier Colorado is working on, what’s happening at the Capitol, and health-related advocacy across the state in one convenient, digestible package.
🏛️ At the Capitol: Legislative Updates
Here’s where things stand on the bills and issues we’re tracking this session. We’ll keep this section focused on what’s moving, what’s stalled, and what it means for Coloradans’ health.
Committee Hearing THIS WEEK! HB26-1263: Protecting AI Chatbot Users from Harm Sponsored by Rep. Camacho, Rep. Mabrey, Sen. Jodeh, and Sen. Carson
The bill has its first committee hearing in House Business Affairs & Labor on Thursday, March 26th at 1:30 PM. Sponsors, experts, and youth advocates will be available for interviews before and after the hearing.
Picture a teenager in their room late at night, confiding in someone about how they’re feeling: stressed, lonely, struggling with something they can’t say out loud to anyone else. In 2026, the “person” on the other end of that conversation is increasingly likely to be an AI chatbot. One that remembers their name, asks how they’re feeling, and is designed to feel like a relationship. But unlike a real person, it operates under no legal duty to consider the wellbeing of the user. Right now, Colorado law has nothing to say about that. HB26-1263 addresses that gap.
The bill establishes common-sense minimum safety standards for conversational AI operators, the same basic expectation of safety we hold for any consumer product. It requires operators to regularly disclose to users that they are interacting with AI, implement evidence-based protocols to respond to expressions of suicidal ideation or self-harm and connect users to crisis services, and prohibit chatbots from presenting themselves as licensed mental or behavioral health professionals.
For users under 18, the bill goes further by prohibiting features designed to create emotional dependence, banning gamification tactics that drive engagement, and blocking the production of sexually explicit content involving minors. If passed, Colorado would have the strongest conversational AI child safety law in the country.
Passed Committee Unanimously, Headed to House Appropriations! HB26-1260: Updates to Child Care Assistance Programs Sponsored by Rep. Garcia, Rep. Willford, Sen. Cutter, and Sen. Bright
Affordable child care is one of the biggest barriers keeping Colorado parents, especially mothers, from entering or staying in the workforce. Nearly 1 in 4 Colorado parents have not looked for a job because of child care challenges, and 1 in 5 have left a job entirely to care for their children. The Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) provides subsidized child care to low-income families so parents can work, go to school, or pursue job training. But the program is under serious strain: as of February 2026, 19 counties have frozen new CCCAP enrollments and 5 are operating active waitlists. Currently, CCCAP reaches only 11% of eligible families across Colorado.
HB26-1260 is a bipartisan bill that updates CCCAP to support its long-term sustainability while giving Colorado’s Department of Early Childhood the flexibility to adapt to the state’s current fiscal reality. Read the fact sheet to learn more.
Passed Committee 5-4! SB26-131: Sports Betting Protections Sponsored by Sen. Ball, Sen. Pelton, Rep. Woodrow, and Rep. Woog
Colorado voters approved sports betting with the expectation that it would be regulated, responsible, and aligned with our state’s values. But since legalization, online sports betting has become deeply embedded in everyday life, and Colorado has one of the most active sports betting markets in the country. Emerging data points to growing concerns about problem gambling, aggressive marketing, and the accessibility of high-speed wagering, especially among young adults.
SB26-131 doesn’t roll back voter-approved sports betting or the benefits that it provides to supporting Colorado’s water conservation and infrastructure efforts. But instead, strengthens the consumer protections and public health safeguards needed to make sure the system works as intended. The bill would restrict the use of credit cards for sports gambling accounts, prohibit operators from accepting more than five deposits from an individual in a 24-hour period, ban bonus payout promotions, restrict sports gambling advertisements during live sporting events and peak viewing hours, and eliminate mobile push notifications soliciting bets or deposits.
These are common-sense, evidence-informed guardrails that protect families and communities without eliminating responsible recreational use.
🖥️ Virtual Town Hall With Senator Hickenlooper THIS Tuesday, March 24 @ 1PM
Healthier Colorado Executive Director Joshua Ewing will be joined by Senator John Hickenlooper and Coloradans from across the state to talk about Federal threats to Medicaid and ongoing health care affordability challenges in Colorado. We will also hear directly from Coloradans as we tackle how we work together to make health care more affordable for everyone.
Register for the Zoom webinar here.
⏪ ICYMI: In Case You Missed It
Mind Our Future Colorado — Healthier Colorado and Children’s Hospital Colorado have launched a new statewide initiative to make child and youth mental health a centerpiece of the 2026 governor’s race. Colorado ranks 41st in the nation for youth mental health, suicide remains a leading cause of death for young Coloradans, and more than 1 in 7 young people reported poor mental health in 2025. Mind Our Future Colorado is calling on gubernatorial candidates to commit to bold, comprehensive solutions — and already has more than 40 healthcare, early childhood, business, and consumer groups signed on. A candidate forum focused entirely on child and youth mental health is scheduled for May 28th, streamed live on CBS Colorado. Read more
Getting Healthier With … — With a new governor’s race underway, Healthier Colorado wants voters to know where the candidates stand on health. Their Getting Healthier With … series does it a little differently — CEO Jake Williams joins each candidate in an activity they love to stay physically or mentally healthy, turning serious policy conversations into something actually worth watching. So far, the series features Sen. Michael Bennet hitting the trails, Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer on a favorite outdoor route, Greg Lopez on the elliptical, and Attorney General Phil Weiser on the basketball court. Watch the series.
📅 Coming Up: Key Dates to Watch
Here’s what’s on our radar in the weeks ahead.
Thursday, March 26 HB26-1263: Protecting AI Chatbot Users from Harm has its first committee hearing in House Business Affairs & Labor at 1:30 PM.
Thursday, May 28 Mind Our Future Colorado hosts a gubernatorial candidate forum on child and youth mental health, streamed live on CBS Colorado.