Three Laws Affecting Energy, Water, and the Environment in Colorado

The General Assembly did not pass any new major conservation or water laws during the 2026 legislative session. It did, however, amend several existing laws. This article discusses: (1) HB26-1034, which repeals energy efficiency standards for certain irrigation equipment; (2) HB26-1145, which addresses mobile home park water quality; and (3) SB26-016, which prohibits the discharge of preproduction plastic materials.

Notable Laws from the 2026 Legislative Session

HB26-1034: Modifications to Standards for Irrigation Equipment 

In 2023, the General Assembly enacted strict laws related to water and energy efficiency standards for certain appliances and fixtures sold, leased, or rented in Colorado, including water and energy efficiency standards for “irrigation controllers” and “spray sprinkler bodies.” HB26-1034 repeals the requirements applicable to irrigation controllers and spray sprinkler bodies.

HB26-1034 takes effect on August 12, 2026,* and is codified at Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 6-7.5-102, 6-7.5-104, 6-7.5-105.

HB26-1145: Mobile Home Park Water Quality 

Under existing law, the Colorado Water Quality Control Division (Division) tests for and remediates water quality issues for mobile home parks. HB26-1145 amends several sections of that law. To that end, the new law authorizes the Division to require remediation of welfare-related water quality violations and issue an order requiring the mobile home park owner to comply with park resident notice certification requirements.

HB26-1145 also provides that a park owner who is also a park resident may bear the cost of compliance with certain remediation-related requirements.  The new law also clarifies that a park owner may ask for a hearing only regarding orders that concern remediation plans. In addition, HB26-1145 authorizes the Division to enforce requirements of the mobile home park testing and remediation program and to issue cease-and-desist orders to address violations regardless of whether the issues are related to water quality violations.

Under existing law, if a park owner fails to comply with a cease-and-desist order, create a remediation plan, implement a remediation plan, or respond to the Division in connection with a remediation plan, the Division may impose a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for each violation. HB26-1145 allows the Division to impose an additional monthly penalty of up to $5,000 for the first 30-day period for which the violation continues. The new law also provides that these penalties constitute final agency action and a mobile home park owner is not entitled to an administrative hearing to contest an imposed civil penalty.

HB26-1146 takes effect on August 12, 2026,* and is codified at Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-8-1001 to 25-8-1003, and 25-8-1007.

SB26-016: Prohibit Discharge of Preproduction Plastic Materials 

SB26-016 is intended by the General Assembly to address plastic feedstock materials, including both virgin and recycled plastic pellets, which contribute to plastic pollution, harm, aquatic life, and disproportionately impact communities located near industrial and transportation corridors when released into the environment. The new law prohibits the discharge of plastic pellets or other preproduction plastic materials from a facility that makes, uses, packages, or transports plastic pellets or other preproduction plastic materials in Colorado. SB26-016 also provides that the state shall not issue a permit for the discharge of plastic pellets or other preproduction materials into state waters.

For purposes of these new rules, the term “preproduction plastic materials” is defined to mean preproduction plastic pellets, flakes, fibers, powders, or powdered coloring for plastics, in their raw or primary state. The term includes preproduction plastic materials produced from virgin resin or from recycled or post-consumer plastic sources, prior to incorporation or reincorporation in a finished plastic product. The term does not include materials resulting from the breakdown of manufactured or otherwise useful plastic products.

SB26-016 takes effect on August 12, 2026,* and is codified at Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-8-1101 to 25-8-1103, 25-8-501, and 25-15-329.

Our Team 

BHGR’s Water and Conservation Group is an industry leader in securing, protecting, and enforcing water rights, helping our clients meet and exceed state and federal water quality standards, and assisting with land and water conservation efforts throughout Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. If you or your business has questions about these new laws, contact us today.

*All bills discussed in this article that are effective on August 12, 2026 are, in fact, effective on that date unless a referendum petition related to the new law is timely filed and voted on in the November 2026 general election. Should that happen, the new law will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.