Colorado 2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 1 R · 1 D cosponsors

HB 1253 — Disconnection from Statutory Municipality

Last action — Governor Signed

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 18, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Jared Polis (Democratic) on May 04, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 98% · high confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 9 sponsors

    3 primary, 6 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (1 R · 1 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 4 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

Under current law, the owners of certain tracts of agricultural or farm land within and adjacent to the boundary of a statutory town or statutory city may petition the district court for the county to disconnect the land from the town or city (disconnection by court decree). The act modifies the disconnection by court decree process so that this process is not available for any tract of land that is included within the boundaries of an urban renewal area described in an urban renewal plan of an urban renewal authority (affected urban renewal authority) or a special district that, by its service plan or pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement, is or will be expected to provide service to the tract of land (affected special district). Instead of using the disconnection by court decree process, owners of these tracts of land must use the process for disconnection applications from a statutory municipality.     Under current law, the owner of a tract of land within and adjacent to the boundary of a statutory municipality may apply to the governing body of the municipality for the enactment of an ordinance disconnecting the tract of land from the municipality (disconnection by ordinance). The act also modifies this disconnection by ordinance process by requiring that, in addition to the existing requirement that an owner provide notice and a copy of the disconnection application to the board of county commissioners of the county in which the tract of land is located and to the board of directors of any affected special district, the owner seeking disconnection must also provide notice and a copy of the disconnection application to any affected urban renewal authority. Upon receiving the notice and application, these entities may request a meeting with the owner of the land and the governing body of the municipality to discuss and address any negative impacts that would result from the disconnection, including any change in the level or extent of services being provided to the tract of land that is the subject of the disconnection application or any interference with the implementation of an urban renewal plan of an affected urban renewal authority. The failure of these entities to request a meeting constitutes an acknowledgment that the disconnection will not adversely affect them.     The act applies to applications for disconnection from a statutory municipality and petitions for disconnection from a statutory city or town commenced on or after the applicable effective date of the act.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

235 added · 296 removed

Plain-language change summary

The changes to HB 1253 mainly clarify the process for property owners who want to disconnect their land from a municipality. The bill now states that owners must apply to the municipality's governing body and also notify the county commissioners and relevant boards. This is significant because it ensures that local authorities are aware of these disconnection requests, promoting better communication and coordination within the community.

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Second Regular Session Seventy-fifth General Assembly STATE OF COLORADO REREVISED This Version Includes All Amendments Adopted in the Second House LLS NO.
NOTE:
26-0802.01 Rebecca Bayetti x4348 HOUSE BILL 26-1253 HOUSE SPONSORSHIP Slaugh, Goldstein SENATE SPONSORSHIP Kirkmeyer and Snyder, Bright, Coleman, Frizell, Hinrichsen, Kipp d d e a 2 T n 2 N g 2 E i ir House Committees Senate Committees S a p Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Local Government & Housing e A d d d A BILL FOR AN ACT e E a 0 C ONCERNING THE PROCESS FOR DISCONNECTION OF PROPERTY FROM A U , N g l A STATUTORY MUNICIPALITY .
This bill has been prepared for the signatures of the appropriate legislative officers and the Governor.
S d p e A R Bill Summary 2 (Note:
To determine whether the Governor has signed the bill or taken other action on it, please consult the legislative status sheet, the legislative history, or the Session Laws.
This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does notreflectanyamendmentsthatmaybesubsequentlyadopted.Ifthisbill d passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that e 6 m 0 applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at S n , http://leg.colorado.gov.) U g 1 O i c H e a Under current law, the owners of certain tracts of agricultural or R M r farm land within and adjacent to the boundary of a statutory town may 3 petition the district court for the county to have the land disconnected from the town (disconnection by court decree).
HOUSE BILL 26-1253 BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Slaugh, Goldstein;
The bill changes which tracts of land are eligible to be disconnected from a statutory town using g d 62 the disconnection by court decree process, so that this process is not E e 2 S R 6 O n 1 H 2 r Shading denotes HOUSE amendment.
also SENATOR(S) Kirkmeyer and Snyder, Bright, Frizell, Hinrichsen, Kipp, Coleman.
Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
C ONCERNING THE PROCESS FOR DISCONNECTION OF PROPERTY FROM A STATUTORY MUNICIPALITY .
e a Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.n M Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law.
e A availableforanytractof landthatisincludedwithintheboundariesofan urban renewal authority (affected urban renewal authority) or a special district that, by its service plan or pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement, is or will be expected to provide service to the tract of land (affected special district).
Instead of using the disconnection by court decree process, owners of these tracts of land must use the process for applications for disconnection from a statutory municipality.
Undercurrentlaw,theownerofatractoflandwithinandadjacent to the boundary of a statutory municipality may apply to the governing bodyofthemunicipalityfortheenactmentofanordinancedisconnecting thetractoflandfromthemunicipality(disconnectionbyordinance).The bill also modifies this disconnection by ordinance process by requiring that, in addition to the existing requirement that an owner provide notice and a copy of the application for disconnection to the board of county commissioners of the county in which the tract of land is located and to the board of directors of any affected special district, the owner seeking disconnection must also provide notice and a copy of the application for disconnection to the commissioners of any affected urban renewal authority.
Upon receiving the notice and application, these entities may request a meeting with the owner of the land and the governing body of the municipality to discuss and address any negative impacts that would result fromthe disconnection,includinganychangeinthelevelorextent of services being provided to the tract of land that is the subject of the disconnection application.
The failure of the board of county commissioners, the board of any affected special district, or the commissioners of any affected urban renewal authority to request a meeting constitutes an acknowledgment that the disconnection will not adversely affect the county, the affected special district, or the affected urban renewal authority.
SECTION 1.
SECTION1.
In Colorado Revised Statutes, 31-12-501, amend (1) and (2);
InColoradoRevisedStatutes,31-12-501,amend (1) and (2);
(1) When the owner of a tract of land within and adjacent to the boundary of a municipality desires to have said tract disconnected from such THE municipality, such THE ownermayapplytothegoverningbody ofsuch THE municipalityfortheenactmentofanordinancedisconnecting -2- 1253 such THEtract of land from sTHE municipality.
(1) When the owner of a tract of land within and adjacent to the boundary of a municipality desires to have said tract disconnected from such THE municipality, such THE owner may apply to the governing body of such THE municipality for the enactment of an ordinance disconnecting such THE tract of land from such THE municipality.
The owner shall also provide notice and a copy of the application to the board of county commissioners of the countyin which the tract of land that is the subject of the application is located, and board of directors of anyaffected special district, TO ANY AFFECTED URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY .
The owner shall also provide notice and a copy of the application to the board of county commissioners of the countyin which the tract of land that is the subject of the application is located, and to the board of directors of any affected ________ Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material added to existing law;
No later than the effective date of the disconnection of a particular tract of land, any vested property rights affecting the tract that have been established pursuant to article 68 of title 24 prior to such date that are possessed by the owner of the tract shall be expired or relinquished.
dashes through words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law and such material is not part of the act.
(2) (a) Not more than thirty days after receiving the notice required by subsection (1) of this section, eitherard of county commissioners, othe board of directors of any affected special district, OR ANYAFFECTEDURBANRENEWALAUTHORITY mayrequestameeting with the owner and the governing body of the municipality, or its appointee,todiscussandaddressanynegativeimpactsonthecountythat would result from the disconnection,LUDING ANY CHANGE IN THE LEVELOREXTENTOFSERVICESBEINGPROVIDEDBYANAFFECTEDSPECIAL DISTRICT OR ANY INTERFERENCE WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN URBAN RENEWAL PLAN OF ANY AFFECTED URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY .
special districAND TO ANY AFFECTED URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY .
If such meeting is requested, the owner and the governing body or its appointee shall meet with eitherboard of county commissioners, or itsappointee,orheboardofanyaffectedspecialdistrict,oritsappointee, OR ANYAFFECTEDURBANRENEWALAUTHORITY ,ORITSAPPOINTEE,not more than thirty days after the meeting was requested.
No laterthantheeffectivedateofthedisconnectionofaparticulartractofland, any vested property rights affecting the tract that have been established pursuant to article 68 of title 24 prior to such date that are possessed bythe owner of the tract shall be expired or relinquished.
Failure by either the board of county commissioners, orboard of any affected special district, ANY AFFECTED URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY to request a meeting constitutes an acknowledgment by the particular board -3- 1253 AUTHORITY thatthedisconnectionwillnotadverselyaffectthecounty,or an THE affected special distrOR THE AFFECTED URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY , as applicable.
(2) (a) Not more than thirtydays after receiving the notice required bysubsection(1)of this section, eithereboardof countycommissioners, orthe board of directors of any affected special disOR ANY AFFECTED URBANRENEWALAUTHORITY mayrequestameetingwiththeownerandthe governingbodyofthemunicipality,oritsappointee,todiscussandaddress any negative impacts on the county that would result from the disconnection, INCLUDING ANY CHANGE IN THE LEVEL OR EXTENT OF SERVICES BEING PROVIDED BY AN AFFECTED SPECIAL DISTRICT OR ANY INTERFERENCEWITHTHEIMPLEMENTATIONOFANURBANRENEWALPLANOF ANYAFFECTEDURBANRENEWALAUTHORITY .
(b) As used in paragraph (a) of this subsection (2), "affected special district" means any special district that by its service plan or pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement is or will be expected to provideservicetothetractof landthatisthesubjectof the disconnection application.
If such meeting is requested, theownerandthegoverningbodyoritsappointeeshallmeetwitheither the board of county commissioners, or its appointee, or the board of any affected special district, or its appointee,R ANY AFFECTED URBAN RENEWALAUTHORITY ,ORITSAPPOINTEE ,notmorethanthirtydaysafterthe meeting was requested.
For purposes of paragraph (a) of this subsection (2), "negative impact" includes any change in the level or extent of services being provided to the tract of land by any special district.
Failure by either the board of county commissioners, or the board of any affected special districtOR ANY AFFECTEDURBANRENEWALAUTHORITY torequestameetingconstitutesan acknowledgment by the particular board OR AUTHORITY that the disconnection will not adversely affect the county, or anHE affected special district,R THE AFFECTED URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY , as applicable.
(6) AS USED IN THIS SECTI,UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES:
(b) Asusedinparagraph(a)of thissubsection(2),"affectedspecial district" means anyspecial district that byits service plan or pursuant to an intergovernmentalagreementisorwillbeexpectedtoprovideservicetothe tract of land that is the subject of the disconnection application.
(a) "AFFECTED SPECIAL DISTRI"MEANS ANY SPECIAL DISTRICT THAT ,BY ITS SERVICE PLAN OR PURSUANT TO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT ,ISORWILLBEEXPECTEDTOPROVIDESERVICETOTHETRACT OF LAND THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF THE DISCONNECTION APPLICAT.ON (b) "AFFECTEDURBANRENEWALAUTHORITY "MEANSANYURBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY FORMED PURSUANT TO PART 1OF ARTICLE25 OF THIS TITL31 WITH AN URBAN RENEWAL AREA DESCRIBED IN AN URBAN RENEWALPLANTHATINCLUDESTHETRACTOFLANDTHATISTHESUBJECT OF THE DISCONNECTION APPLICATIO.
For purposesofparagraph(a)ofthissubsection(2),"negativeimpact"includes any change in the level or extent of services being provided to the tract of land by any special district.
SECTION2.InColoradoRevisedStatutes,amend31-12-601as follows:
(6) A S USED IN THIS SECTION,UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :
(a) "A FFECTED SPECIAL DISTRICT "MEANS ANY SPECIAL DISTRICT PAGE 2-HOUSE BILL 26-1253 THAT ,BY ITS SERVICE PLAN OR PURSUANT TO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT ,IS OR WILL BE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE TRACT OF LAND THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF THE DISCONNECTION APPLICATION.
(b) "A FFECTED URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY "MEANS ANY URBAN RENEWALAUTHORITYFORMEDPURSUANTTOPART 1OFARTICLE 25 OFTHIS TITLE31 WITHANURBANRENEWALAREADESCRIBEDINANURBANRENEWAL PLAN THAT INCLUDES THE TRACT OF LAND THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF THE DISCONNECTION APPLICATION .
SECTION 2.
In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 31-12-601 as follows:
(1) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN SUBSECTIO(2)OF THIS SECTION,whena tract orcontiguoustractsof land,aggregatingtwentyor more acres in area, are embraced within the municipal limits of any city, -4- 1253 which are upon or contiguous to the border theOF THE CIT, the owners of saiTHE tracts of land may petition the district court for the countyinwhichsuch THE land,or anypart thereof, is situatedtohavethe same LAND disconnected from saTHE city.
(1) E XCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION, when a tract or contiguous tracts of land, aggregating twenty or more acres in area, are embraced within the municipal limits of any city, whichareuponorcontiguoustotheborderthereof OFTHECITY ,theowners of saidTHE tracts of land may petition the district court for the county in which suchTHE land, or anypart thereof, is situatedtohave theLANDe disconnected from saiTHE city.
(2) THE PROCESS FOR DISCONNECTION FROM A CITY AS PROVIDED IN THIS PART6 IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR ANY TRACT OF LAND THAT IS INCLUDED WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF:
(2) THE PROCESSFORDISCONNECTIONFROM A CITY ASPROVIDEDIN THIS PART6 IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR ANY TRACT OF LAND THAT IS INCLUDED WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF :
(a) ANURBANRENEWALAREADESCRIBEDINANURBANRENEWAL PLANAPPROVEDPURSUANTTOPART 1OFARTICLE 25 OFTHISTITLE31;OR (b) ASPECIALDISTRICT THA,BYITSSERVICE PLANORPURSUANT TO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT ,IS OR WILL BE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE TRACT OF LAN.
(a) AN URBAN RENEWAL AREA DESCRIBED IN AN URBAN RENEWAL PLAN APPROVED PURSUANT TO PART 1 OF ARTICLE 25OF THIS TITLE31;OR (b) ASPECIALDISTRICTTHAT ,BYITSSERVICEPLANORPURSUANTTO ANINTERGOVERNMENTALAGREEMENT ,ISORWILLBEEXPECTEDTOPROVIDE SERVICE TO THE TRACT OF LAND.
SECTION 3.
SECTION3.
In Colorado Revised Statutes, 31-12-602, amend (1) introductory portion and (1)(f);
InColorado RevisedStatutes,31-12-602,amend(1) introductory portion and (1)(f);
(1) The petition shMUST contain the following:
(1) The petition shallST contain the following:
(f) An allegation that all taxes or assessments lawfully due upon the land up to the time of the filing of the petition have been fully paid;
PAGE 3-HOUSE BILL 26-1253 (f) Anallegationthatalltaxesorassessmentslawfullydueuponthe land up to the time of the filing of the petition have been fully paid;
AND (g) ANALLEGATIONTHATTHETRACTSOFLANDARENOTLOCATED WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OFAN URBAN RENEWALAREA DESCRIBED IN AN URBANRENEWALPLANAPPROVEDPURSUANTTOPART 1OFARTICLE 25OF THIS TITLE31 OR A SPECIAL DISTRICT THA,BY ITS SERVICE PLAN OR PURSUANT TO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT , IS OR WILL BE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE TRACT OF LA.D SECTION4.
(g) A N ALLEGATION THAT THE TRACTS OF LAND ARE NOT LOCATED WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF AN URBAN RENEWAL AREA DESCRIBED IN AN URBAN RENEWAL PLAN APPROVED PURSUANT TO PART 1OF ARTICLE 25 OF THIS TITLE 31 OR A SPECIAL DISTRICT THAT , BY ITS SERVICE PLAN OR PURSUANT TO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT , IS OR WILL BE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE TRACT OF LAND .
InColoradoRevisedStatutes,amend31-12-603as follows:
SECTION 4.
-5- 1253 31-12-603.
In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 31-12-603 as follows:
31-12-603.
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(1) Upon the filing of such petition in the district court, the judge thereof shall set a date for a hearing, not less than forty days nor more than sixty days thereafter.
(1) Upon the filing of such petition in the district court, the judge thereofshall set a date for a hearing, not less than fortydays nor more than sixty days thereafter.
It is the duty of The THErcourt tod causeSHALL SERVE a copy of sucTHE petition and a notice of the date and the time set for such hearing to be served upon the mayor of the city The same shall be served at least thirty days prior to the hearing of such petition.
It is the duty oferk of saiTHE court to cause SHALL SERVE a copy of suchTHE petition and a notice of the date and the time set for such hearing to be served the mayor of the cityThe same shall be served at least thirty days prior to the hearing of such petition.
by the court Upon the hearing and proof of the facts set forth in saidTHE petition,THE COURT shall be determiDETERMINE whether saidTHE tractsoflandshouldbedisconnectedfromsucTHEcity,andthe court shall enter an order or decree accordingly.
by the court Upon the hearing and proof of the facts set forth in sTHE petition, THE COURT shall be determinedDETERMINE whether said THE tractsoflandshouldbedisconnectedfromsuch THE city,andthecourtshall enter an order or decree accordingly.
(2) When a city has maintained streets, lights, and other public utilitiesforaperiodofthreeyearsthroughoradjoiningsaidtractsofland, The owners shalARE not be entitled to disconnect the land under the provisions of this paWHEN :
(2) When a city has maintained streets, lights, and other public utilities for a period of three years through or adjoining said tracts of land, The owners shall ARE not be entitled to disconnect the land under the provisions of this part 6N :
(a) THE CITY HAS MAINTAINED STREETS ,LIGHTS,AND OTHER PUBLIC UTILITIES FOR A PERIOD OFTHREEYEARSTHROUGHORADJOINING THE TRACTS OF LAND;OR (b) THETRACTSOFLANDAREINCLUDEDWITHINTHEBOUNDARIES OF:
(a) THECITYHASMAINTAINEDSTREETS ,LIGHTS,ANDOTHERPUBLIC UTILITIES FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS THROUGH OR ADJOINING THE TRACTS OF LAND ;OR (b) T HE TRACTS OF LAND ARE INCLUDED WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF:
(I) NURBANRENEWALAREADESCRIBEDINANURBANRENEWAL PLANAPPROVEDPURSUANTTOPART 1OFARTICLE 25 OFTHISTITLE31;OR (II) SPECIALDISTRICTTHAT BYITSSERVICEPLANORPURSUANT TO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT ,IS OR WILL BE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE TRACT OF LAN.
(I) A N URBAN RENEWAL AREA DESCRIBED IN AN URBAN RENEWAL PLAN APPROVED PURSUANT TO PART 1 OF ARTICLE 25 OF THIS TITL31;
(2) (3) If an area has been annexed to a city for a period of two years and then successful action is undertaken to disconnTHE such -6- 1253 area, the disconnected land shall be made subject to the applicable county's zoning resolution and map and other land development regulationswithinninetydaysaftertheeffectivedateofthedisconnection as described in section 31-12-501 (5).
OR PAGE 4-HOUSE BILL 26-1253 (II) A SPECIAL DISTRICT THAT,BY ITS SERVICE PLAN OR PURSUANT TO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT ,IS OR WILL BE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE TRACT OF LAND .
(2) (3) Ifanareahasbeenannexedtoacityforaperiodoftwoyears and then successful action is undertaken to disconnect such area, the disconnected land shall be made subject to the applicable county's zoning resolution and map and other land development regulations within ninety days after the effective date of the disconnection as described in section 31-12-501 (5).
(1) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN SUBSECTIO(2)OF THIS SECTION, when a tract or two or more contiguous tracts of agricultural or farm land aggregating twenty or more acres in area are embraced within the corporate limits of any town, the outer boundary of which acreage is adjacent to or upon the borderof said town, the owners of said of land may petition the district court for the county in which such land is situated to have the samend disconnected from saiTHE incorporated town.
(1) E XCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION , when a tract or two or more contiguous tracts of agricultural or farmlandaggregatingtwentyormoreacresinareaareembracedwithinthe corporate limits of any town, the outer boundary of which acreage is adjacent to or upon the border of said town, the owners of saidtracts oflandmaypetitionthedistrictcourtforthecountyinwhichsuch THE land is situated to have the samend disconnected from saiTHE incorporated town.
Intersecting highways or intervening railroads shall DO not render saTHE tracts of land noncontiguous or nonadjacent.
Intersecting highways or intervening railroads shallnot render saidTHE tracts of land noncontiguous or nonadjacent.
(2) THE PROCESS FOR DISCONNECTION FROM A TOWN AS PROVIDED IN THIS PART7IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR ANY TRACT OF LAND THAT IS INCLUDED WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES :F (a) ANURBANRENEWALAREADESCRIBEDINANURBANRENEWAL PLANAPPROVEDPURSUANTTOPART 1OFARTICLE 25 OFTHISTITLE31;OR (b) ASPECIALDISTRICT THA,BYITSSERVICEPLANORPURSUANT TO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT ,IS OR WILL BE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE TRACT OF LAN.
(2) T HE PROCESS FOR DISCONNECTION FROM A TOWN AS PROVIDED IN THIS PART 7 IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR ANY TRACT OF LAND THAT IS INCLUDED WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF :
SECTION 6.
(a) A N URBAN RENEWAL AREA DESCRIBED IN AN URBAN RENEWAL PLAN APPROVED PURSUANT TO PART 1OF ARTICLE 25 OF THIS TITLE31;OR (b) A SPECIALDISTRICTTHAT ,BYITSSERVICEPLANORPURSUANTTO ANINTERGOVERNMENTALAGREEMENT ,ISORWILLBEEXPECTEDTOPROVIDE SERVICE TO THE TRACT OF LAND .
In Colorado Revised Statutes, 31-12-703, amend (1) introductory portion and (1)(f);
SECTION6.
InColoradoRevisedStatutes,31-12-703,amend(1) introductory portion and (1)(f);
31-12-703.
PAGE 5-HOUSE BILL 26-1253 31-12-703.
-7- 1253 (1) The petition shMUST contain the following:
(1) The petition shallUST contain the following:
(f) A representation that, for a period of six years after the effectivedateofdisconnection,saidtractswillnotbesubdividedintolots or plots of smaller area than is required during said period for lots within said town adjoining said tracts under the applicable ordinances or regulations of the town from which disconnection is sought and will not beusedduringsaid period for industrial or commercial useif duringsaid period the applicable ordinances of the town from which disconnection is sought prohibits such use in the area within said town adjoining such tracts;ND (g) ANALLEGATIONTHATTHETRACTSOFLANDARENOTLOCATED WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OFAN URBAN RENEWALAREA DESCRIBED IN AN URBANRENEWALPLANAPPROVEDPURSUANTTOPART 1OFARTICLE 25OF THIS TITLE31 OR A SPECIAL DISTRICT THA,BY ITS SERVICE PLAN OR PURSUANT TO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT , IS OR WILL BE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE TRACT OF LA.D SECTION 7.
(f) A representation that, for a period of six years after the effective dateof disconnection,saidtractswillnotbesubdividedinto lots or plots of smaller area than is required during said period for lots within said town adjoining said tracts under the applicable ordinances or regulations of the town from which disconnection is sought and will not be used during said period for industrial or commercial use if during said period the applicable ordinances of the town from which disconnection is sought prohibits such use in the area within said town adjoining such tracts;D (g) A N ALLEGATION THAT THE TRACTS OF LAND ARE NOT LOCATED WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF AN URBAN RENEWAL AREA DESCRIBED IN AN URBAN RENEWAL PLAN APPROVED PURSUANT TO PART 1 OF ARTICLE 25 OF THIS TITLE 31 OR A SPECIAL DISTRICT THAT ,BY ITS SERVICE PLAN OR PURSUANT TO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT ,IS OR WILL BE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE TRACT OF LAND .
InColoradoRevisedStatutes,amend31-12-704as follows:
SECTION 7.
In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 31-12-704 as follows:
(1) Upon the filing of such petition in the district court, the judge shall set a date for a hearing, not less than fortydays nor more than sixty days thereafter.
(1) Upon the filing of such petition in the district court, the judge shall set a date for a hearing, not less than forty days nor more than sixty days thereafter.
The clerk of the court shall serve a copy of the petition and a notice of the date and the time set for such hearing upon the mayor of the town The same must be servedt least thirty days prior to the hearing on such petition.
The clerk of the court shall serve a copyof the petition and a notice of the date and the time set for such hearing upon the mayor of the town The same must be served at least thirty days prior to the hearing on such petition.
by the courthe hearing and proof of the factssetforthinsuchpetition,thecourtshalldeterminewhetherthetracts of land should be disconnected from the town, and the judge shall enter -8- 1253 an order or decree accordingly.
bythe courtpon the hearing and proof of the facts set forth in such petition, the court shall determine whether the tracts of land should bedisconnectedfromthetown,andthe judge shall enter an order ordecree accordingly.
(2) TEPETITIONERSARENOTENTITLEDTODISCONNECTTHELAND UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PAR7 when:
(2) THE PETITIONERS ARE NOT ENTITLED TO DISCONNECT THE LAND UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PART 7 when:
(a) A town has improved anyof the highways passing through or adjoining said tracts of land by the construction and maintenance by the town of any special improvements along, under, or over the same for a periodofmorethantwoyearspriortothepresentationofthepetition;the petitioners are not entitled to disconnect the land under the provisions of this part 7 (b) THETRACTSOFLANDAREINCLUDEDWITHINTHEBOUNDARIES OF:
(a) A town has improved any of the highways passing through or adjoining said tracts of land by the construction and maintenance by the PAGE 6-HOUSE BILL 26-1253 town of any special improvements along, under, or over the same for a period of more than two years prior to the presentation of the petition;
(I) NURBANRENEWALAREADESCRIBEDINANURBANRENEWAL PLANAPPROVEDPURSUANTTOPART 1OFARTICLE 25 OFTHISTITLE31;OR (II) APECIALDISTRICTTHAT BYITSSERVICEPLANORPURSUANT TO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT ,IS OR WILL BE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE TRACT OF LAN.
the petitioners are not entitled to disconnect the land under the provisions of this part OR (b) THE TRACTS OF LAND ARE INCLUDED WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF:
(3) Anydisconnectedlandshallbemadesubjecttotheapplicable county's zoning resolution and map and other land development regulationswithinninetydaysaftertheeffectivedateofthedisconnection as described in section 31-12-501 (5).
(I) AN URBAN RENEWAL AREA DESCRIBED IN AN URBAN RENEWAL PLAN APPROVED PURSUANT TO PART 1OF ARTICLE 25OF THIS TITLE 31;OR (II) ASPECIAL DISTRICT THAT ,BY ITS SERVICE PLAN OR PURSUANT TO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT ,IS OR WILL BE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE TRACT OF LAND .
(3) Any disconnected land shall be made subject to the applicable county'szoningresolutionandmapandotherlanddevelopmentregulations withinninetydaysaftertheeffectivedateof thedisconnectionasdescribed in section 31-12-501 (5).
Act subject to petition - effective date - applicability.(1) Thisacttakeseffectat12:01a.m.onthedayfollowing the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the generalassembly(August12,2026,ifadjournmentsinedieisonMay13, 2026);
Act subject to petition - effective date - applicability.
except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3)ofarticleVofthestateconstitutionagainstthisactoranitem,section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part -9- 1253 will not take effect unless approved bythe people at the general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.
(1) This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m.
(2) This act applies to applications for disconnection from a municipality and petitions for disconnection from a city or town commenced on or after the applicable effective date of this act.
on the day following the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August 12, 2026, if adjournment sine die is on May 13, 2026);exceptthat,if areferendumpetitionisfiledpursuanttosection1(3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be heldinNovember2026and,insuchcase,will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.
-10- 1253
PAGE 7-HOUSE BILL 26-1253 (2) This act applies to applications for disconnection from a municipality and petitions for disconnection from a city or town commenced on or after the applicable effective date of this act.
____________________________ ____________________________ Julie McCluskie James Rashad Coleman, Sr.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE PRESIDENT OF OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE ____________________________ ____________________________ Vanessa Reilly Esther van Mourik CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE SECRETARY OF OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE APPROVED________________________________________ (Date and Time) _________________________________________ Jared S.
Polis GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO PAGE 8-HOUSE BILL 26-1253
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Action History

  1. Governor Signed

  2. Sent to the Governor

  3. Signed by the Speaker of the House

  4. Signed by the President of the Senate

  5. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

  6. Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments

  7. Senate Second Reading Laid Over to 04/01/2026 - No Amendments

  8. Senate Committee on Local Government & Housing Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole

  9. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Local Government & Housing

  10. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

  11. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee

  12. House Committee on Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole

  13. Introduced In House - Assigned to Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources

Sponsors

  • C. Kipp · Cosponsor
  • N. Hinrichsen · Cosponsor
  • L. Frizell · Cosponsor
  • J. Coleman · Cosponsor
  • S. Bright · Cosponsor
  • M. Snyder · Primary
  • B. Kirkmeyer · Primary
  • Scott Slaugh · Primary
  • Lori Goldstein · Cosponsor

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 6 co-sponsors · 92 not signed on · 3 voted No

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (6)

  • C. Kipp
  • N. Hinrichsen
  • L. Frizell
  • J. Coleman
  • S. Bright
  • Lori Goldstein Democrat

Not signed on (92)

92 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 92 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

BILL

Passed 32 Yea · 2 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 20001
Republican 7201
Unaffiliated 5000
Total 32202
% of votes cast 89%6%0%6%
How each member voted (36)
Member Party Vote
Gonzales J. — Yea
Pelton B. — Yea
Pelton R. — Yea
President — Yea
Adrienne Benavidez — Yea
Cathy Kipp Democrat Yea
Chris Kolker Democrat Yea
Dylan Roberts Democrat Yea
Iman Jodeh Democrat Yea
James Coleman Democrat Yea
Janice Marchman Democrat Yea
Jeff Bridges Democrat Yea
Jessie Danielson Democrat Not Voting
Judy Amabile Democrat Yea
Katie Wallace Democrat Yea
Kyle Mullica Democrat Yea
Lindsey Daugherty Democrat Yea
Lisa Cutter Democrat Yea
Marc Snyder Democrat Yea
Matt Ball Democrat Yea
Mike Weissman Democrat Yea
Nick Hinrichsen Democrat Yea
Robert Rodriguez Democrat Yea
Tom Sullivan Democrat Yea
Tony Exum Democrat Yea
William Lindstedt Democrat Yea
Barbara Kirkmeyer Republican Yea
Cleave Simpson Republican Not Voting
Janice Rich Republican Yea
John Carson Republican Yea
Larry Liston Republican Yea
Lisa Frizell Republican Yea
Lynda Zamora Wilson Republican Nay
Marc Catlin Republican Yea
Mark Baisley Republican Nay
Scott Bright Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Refer House Bill 26-1253 to the Committee of the Whole.

Passed 11 Yea · 1 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 1000
Democrat 9000
Republican 1101
Total 11101
% of votes cast 85%8%0%8%
How each member voted (13)
Member Party Vote
Garcia Sander — Yea
Karen McCormick Democrat Yea
Katie Stewart Democrat Yea
Lesley Smith Democrat Yea
Lori Goldstein Democrat Yea
Mandy Lindsay Democrat Yea
Matthew Martinez Democrat Yea
Meghan Lukens Democrat Yea
Tammy Story Democrat Yea
Tisha Mauro Democrat Yea
Dusty Johnson Republican Nay
Larry Don Suckla Republican Not Voting
Ty Winter Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

housing agriculture
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB 1253 do?
Under current law, the owners of certain tracts of agricultural or farm land within and adjacent to the boundary of a statutory town or statutory city may petition the district court for the county to disconnect the land from the town or city (disconnection by court decree). The act modifies the disconnection by court decree process so that this process is not available for any tract of land that is included within the boundaries of an urban renewal area described in an urban renewal plan of an urban renewal authority (affected urban renewal authority) or a special district that, by its service plan or pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement, is or will be expected to provide service to the tract of land (affected special district). Instead of using the disconnection by court decree process, owners of these tracts of land must use the process for disconnection applications from a statutory municipality.     Under current law, the owner of a tract of land within and adjacent to the boundary of a statutory municipality may apply to the governing body of the municipality for the enactment of an ordinance disconnecting the tract of land from the municipality (disconnection by ordinance). The act also modifies this disconnection by ordinance process by requiring that, in addition to the existing requirement that an owner provide notice and a copy of the disconnection application to the board of county commissioners of the county in which the tract of land is located and to the board of directors of any affected special district, the owner seeking disconnection must also provide notice and a copy of the disconnection application to any affected urban renewal authority. Upon receiving the notice and application, these entities may request a meeting with the owner of the land and the governing body of the municipality to discuss and address any negative impacts that would result from the disconnection, including any change in the level or extent of services being provided to the tract of land that is the subject of the disconnection application or any interference with the implementation of an urban renewal plan of an affected urban renewal authority. The failure of these entities to request a meeting constitutes an acknowledgment that the disconnection will not adversely affect them.     The act applies to applications for disconnection from a statutory municipality and petitions for disconnection from a statutory city or town commenced on or after the applicable effective date of the act.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Who sponsors HB 1253?
HB 1253 is sponsored by C. Kipp, N. Hinrichsen, L. Frizell, J. Coleman, S. Bright, M. Snyder, B. Kirkmeyer, Scott Slaugh (Republican), and Lori Goldstein (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB 1253?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 18, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 1253?
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