2025 Colorado Legislative Session Wrap-Up:
What It Means for Housing Providers
BY DESTINY BOSSERT
The First Regular Session of Colorado ' s 75th General Assembly concluded on May 7, 2025, marking the end of a busy 120-day legislative cycle. Legislators introduced 657 bills this year, slightly fewer than the 706 in 2024, but the impact was no less significant. For the Colorado Apartment Association( CAA) and its members, the session was marked by a continued focus on housing, tenant rights, regulation of rental practices, and attempts at systemic reform. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key developments, victories, and ongoing concerns.
POLITICAL & FISCAL LANDSCAPE
The 2025 session began with a notable shift in the House— Democrats lost their supermajority, and several far-left members were replaced by more moderate Democrats. The Senate ' s composition remained the same, although three senators resigned and were replaced via vacancy appointments.
Colorado ' s challenging fiscal reality was a key factor throughout the session. With a $ 1.2 billion shortfall stemming from the expiration of federal COVID-era funds and costly legislation passed in prior years, the Joint Budget Committee had to make hard cuts. Significant reductions included:
• $ 71 million cut from transportation projects,
• $ 42.2 million cut from the Healthy School Meals for All Program,
• While maintaining a 15 % General Fund reserve.
These constraints meant that bills not only needed to survive policy scrutiny but also pass a financial viability test— a factor that helped temper the legislature’ s usual progressive ambitions.
10 | TRENDS JUNE 2025 www. aamdhq. org