LEGISLATION
Some say that music is the silence between the notes. Not passing these disruptive laws represents a meaningful shift for Colorado. After consecutive years of significant regulatory change, this session reflects progress. Demonstrating that engagement matters, balanced perspectives can influence outcomes, and collaboration between stakeholders and policymakers is possible. There were some potentially disruptive proposals made that would have significantly delayed the eviction process, cost landlords untold amounts of time and resources to process a single default, and some wasteful ideas that would have generated significant unnecessary paperwork.
Here are the laws from the session that did pass and were signed into law by Governor Polis.
1
HB26-1013 Ratio Utility Billing Systems( RUBS) Fix
Effective March 2026, this act authorizes RUBS as an approved method to allocate utility charges. With appropriate disclosures being provided to tenants, that includes calculation methodology. This was a huge development for the industry, helping both landlords and tenants with the certainty that this billing process is allowed in Colorado. It is a great example of cooperation and coordination between the legislature and housing providers. To be able to pass targeted legislation that clarified an ambiguity in the law, and provides benefits to all Coloradans that either operate or reside within rental housing.
Under HB26-1013, landlords may utilize RUBS provided that:
• Total charges do not exceed actual utility costs;
• No additional fees or markups are applied;
• Common area utilities are excluded through a proper Common Area Deduction( CAD); and
• The allocation method is clearly disclosed in the lease.
Additionally, for residential premises constructed under permits applied for on or after July 1, 2027, utility service must be metered directly by the utility provider or by a submeter.
2
SB26-189 Automated Decision-Making Technology( AI)
Effective January 1, 2027, this law applies to AI-driven tools used for " consequential decisions," including tenant screening, pricing, and lease renewals. Key obligations: provide clear notice of AI usage at the point of interaction, ensure an opportunity for meaningful human review after adverse outcomes, and requirements to retain compliance records. This was the AI fix, that goes well beyond the multifamily industry, as we continue to see AI impact everyone’ s lives. www. aamdhq. org TRENDS AUGUST 2026 | 21