Colorado lawmakers are scheduled to wrap up the 2025 legislative session today. While Boulder wasn’t at the center of the contentious land-use reform debates that dominated last year, lawmakers representing the city carried several bills that drew notable attention at the Capitol.
Sen. Judy Amabile backed a bill giving local governments the authority to lower base wages for tipped workers. The legislation, HB25-1208, allows cities like Boulder — which have local minimum wages higher than the state’s — to adjust the “tip credit,” a provision that lets employers pay tipped workers less than the standard minimum wage. The bill gives cities the option, but not the obligation, to reduce tipped wages, as long as they stay above the state’s tipped minimum of $11.79.
Supporters say the change would give restaurants financial relief by lowering labor costs. Opponents, including labor groups, argue it’s a pay cut for service workers. The bill passed and is now awaiting the governor’s signature. (See our previous coverage here and here.)
Rep. Junie Joseph sponsored a bill aimed at strengthening protections for renters who receive federal housing subsidies, such as Housing Choice vouchers. HB25-1240 includes a provision that codifies into state law a pandemic-era rule requiring landlords to give tenants at least 30 days’ notice before filing an eviction for nonpayment of rent. The legislation also requires landlords to make “reasonable efforts” to help tenants applying for rental assistance. The bill is headed to the governor’s desk.
Reps. Lesley Smith of Boulder and Kyle Brown of Louisville co-sponsored a bill that initially sought to automate local permitting for solar energy projects. But HB25-1096 faced pushback from cities, including Boulder, that were concerned the bill would override local zoning codes. In the end, the measure was significantly scaled back. What remained were tweaks to a state grant program to help local governments use automated permitting software. The bill has passed both chambers.
Rep. Brown also backed legislation seeking to address rising home insurance costs and dropped coverage due to wildfire risk. HB25-1302 would have added a fee to insurance premiums to fund a reinsurance program designed to reduce financial risk for insurers covering homes in fire-prone areas. The bill was voted down in committee on May 5.