High Stakes at the Capitol: What the 2026 Colorado Legislative Session Means for Catholics

What Catholics should know — and pray for — as lawmakers return to the Capitol

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As the Colorado State Legislature opens its 2026 session, lawmakers return to the Capitol amid heightened political tension, fiscal uncertainty and a growing sense of division across the aisle. For Catholics, this moment invites both awareness and prayer, as decisions made in the coming months will shape policies that affect human life, families and communities throughout the state.

The Colorado Catholic Conference (CCC), which is the united voice of the Catholic bishops of Colorado and serves to uphold the dignity of human life and the common good in public policy, is closely monitoring a wide range of issues during the session. While political polarization remains a defining feature of the current landscape, the Church’s approach is rooted not in partisanship but in the consistent principles of human dignity, the common good, solidarity and subsidiarity.

This year’s session begins under significant pressure. The state faces an estimated $800 million revenue deficit, prompting the Joint Budget Committee to signal likely cuts across departments. Because 2026 is also an election year, lawmakers are expected to introduce numerous “messaging bills,” while internal divisions within both major parties and a term-limited governor may further complicate negotiations.

Protecting Life, Marriage and Family

Among the most urgent concerns is the sanctity of human life, particularly proposals to expand Colorado’s Safe Haven law. Current law allows a mother in crisis just 72 hours to surrender her newborn at a monitored location safely. Advocates hope to extend that window to 30 days, the national standard, after more than 58 infants were found illegally discarded and deceased in Colorado over the past five years. Nationally, Safe Haven laws have saved more than 4,500 babies since 1999.

At the same time, additional legislation funding abortion — including late-term procedures — is expected to be introduced.

Religious Liberty and Conscience Protections

The CCC is also closely watching developments related to religious liberty, especially potential changes to the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA). Recent amendments expanded the definition of “public accommodations” in ways that could require faith-based hospitals, clinics, charities and shelters to comply with state mandates regarding gender identity and sexual orientation — even when those mandates conflict with deeply held religious beliefs.

Such changes raise concerns about whether religious organizations will be able to continue serving the public without compromising their mission or facing financial penalties and civil liability.

Economic Justice and Housing

On economic justice, housing affordability remains a key focus. Lawmakers are expected to consider proposals related to rental assistance, land use and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). While intended to address housing shortages, the long-term regulatory and financial implications for property owners remain unclear.

Budget constraints may also lead lawmakers to consider removing existing tax breaks to increase revenue, particularly for businesses — changes that could impact employment, charitable organizations and families already struggling with the rising costs of living.

Health Care and Medical Ethics

Recent decisions by Children’s Hospital Colorado and Denver Health to suspend certain gender-related treatments for minors have introduced new uncertainty in health care policy. As of January 2026, both institutions paused hormone and puberty blocker prescriptions for patients under 18, citing federal funding concerns.

Some lawmakers may seek to compel healthcare providers — including faith-based institutions — to perform procedures that conflict with Catholic moral teachings and conscience protections, raising serious ethical questions about the future of medical freedom in the state.

Immigration Policy

Immigration remains another area of focus this session. The majority party is expected to introduce legislation addressing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Colorado. The CCC continues to advocate for policies that respect the dignity of migrants while upholding the rule of law, emphasizing the Church’s long-standing commitment to both compassion and justice.

Education and School Choice

In education, school choice remains a closely watched issue. Governor Polis is expected to sign a federal tax credit scholarship program, though additional state regulations are likely. There are concerns that overregulation could restrict families' access to educational options that best meet their children's needs, especially for those pursuing faith-based education.

Restorative Justice and Human Trafficking

Encouragingly, bipartisan legislation addressing minor sex trafficking is expected this session. Proposed bills aim to align Colorado law with federal standards on “commercialized sexual activity with a minor” and establish mandatory minimum penalties for those who participate in or enable trafficking crimes.

Energy and Environmental Policy

Energy policy will also be prominent, especially following preemptive power shutoffs by Xcel Energy in late 2025 that left thousands without electricity. Lawmakers may revisit wildfire mitigation policies and the role of the Public Utility Commission, which is up for its sunset review this year.

Additionally, continued efforts to decarbonize buildings, transportation and industry — including strict energy performance requirements for buildings — may increase energy costs for families, parishes and nonprofit organizations.

Technology and Artificial Intelligence

Finally, legislators are expected to consider several bills related to artificial intelligence, including safeguards for minors interacting with chatbots, emergency reporting requirements for tech companies and age verification standards for apps and app stores.

In a time of sharp division, the Church continues to advocate for policies that protect life, strengthen families and uphold the dignity of every person — from the unborn to the elderly, from the immigrant to the marginalized. Catholics are encouraged to stay informed, engage respectfully and, above all, pray for wisdom and courage for lawmakers as they begin their work.

As the session unfolds, the Colorado Catholic Conference will continue to follow legislation closely, seeking opportunities to witness to the Gospel in the public square with clarity, charity and hope.

For more information on the Colorado Catholic Conference, visit cocatholic.org. To sign up for updates and action alerts from the Conference, visit cocatholic.org/take-action.