House Advances Bill to Increase Transparency, Modernize Regulatory Review Processes

DENVER, CO – The House today advanced bipartisan legislation on a preliminary vote to improve government transparency and streamline regulations.

“This is a good governance bill that would strengthen the regulatory review process to make our government more effective,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Under our bill, rules and regulations would be reviewed every five years to ensure that they are working as intended to deliver on our goals. Our bipartisan effort would help ensure that Colorado’s regulatory system is working as intended.”

SB26-137, also sponsored by Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell, R-Monument, would require state departments to review their rules and regulations every five years and would add additional considerations to guide these reviews.

Under current law, departments are required to periodically review their rules to determine whether they are still necessary and effective. There is no criterion for how regularly this review must happen. 

SB26-137 would add additional considerations during these reviews, including whether: 

• Redundant rules can be eliminated, 

• A rule is outdated or obsolete, 

• Funding levels are appropriate, and 

• The rule can be made more effective.