Bill > SB141

This bill creates an exemption for small municipalities with fewer than 2,500 residents from being required to adopt and enforce energy codes for residential buildings. The legislation is rooted in a legislative declaration that rural and frontier communities face unique challenges in housing construction, including high costs of materials, infrastructure, and labor, as well as depressed housing markets. The bill argues that additional building and energy code regulations create burdens that increase housing costs in these communities. By exempting small municipalities from energy code requirements, the bill aims to reduce construction expenses and make housing more affordable in rural areas. The bill does not remove all building standards, but rather suggests that established state building, plumbing, and electrical codes are sufficient to protect residents' health and safety. The exemption will be determined based on population figures from the most recent federal decennial census, and the bill will take effect after the standard legislative review period, with a potential voter referendum in November 2026 if challenged.

Housing and Urban Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-141