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DENVER, CO – The House Energy & Environment Committee today passed legislation to protect electric vehicle (EV) drivers by improving charging infrastructure and oversight. HB25-1267 passed committee by a vote of 8-3.
“EVs are wildly popular in Colorado and it’s important that our EV charging stations are reliable and accurate,” said Rep. Amy Paschal, D-Colorado Springs. “Certain consumer protections already exist at the pump for those who drive gas-powered vehicles, and this bill ensures those protections are extended to EV drivers as well. Demand for EVs is only increasing in Colorado, and we need to make sure drivers are receiving the amount of electricity they pay for.”
“EVs are everywhere in Colorado, which means we should be paying attention to our charging station infrastructure to ensure drivers get what they pay for,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. “Our bill ramps up consumer protections by allowing the state more oversight surrounding EV charging stations to help ensure they’re accurate and reliable. Colorado’s EV market share is number one in the county, our state must have reliable infrastructure to not only meet demand but meet our climate goals.”
HB25-1267 aims to improve oversight of retail EV charging stations to ensure consumers receive the energy they pay for. To accomplish this, the bill creates a new retail EV charging station oversight program within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) to establish and oversee minimum standards for charging stations. The state already monitors gas pumps to ensure consumers receive the amount of gas they are paying for – this bill extends the same consumer protection protocols for EV drivers
The popularity of EVs in Colorado continues to grow. Colorado recently became number one in the country for market share of new EVs, surpassing California. This legislation also aims to help Colorado meet current and future EV infrastructure demand by modifying the EV grant fund. This includes updated policies, procedures and utility oversight of public charging stations.
In 2023, Colorado Democrats championed an expansive tax credit package that included incentives for EV buyers in an effort to reach our state’s climate goals of reducing greenhouse emissions by 50-percent by 2030.