Key Takeaways
- Approximately 20 new laws take effect in Colorado on January 1, covering various topics such as right-to-repair electronics, paid family leave, gun show requirements, and protecting wild bison.
- The right-to-repair law allows Coloradans to repair their electronic devices by requiring manufacturers to provide necessary tools and documentation.
- The paid family leave program, FAMLI, has been expanded to provide additional leave for families with babies in neonatal intensive care.
- Gun show operators must submit a security plan to local law enforcement and hold liability insurance.
- Landlords are restricted from asking prospective tenants for credit history or credit scores, and fees for tenants are standardized.
Introduction to New Laws
About 20 new Colorado laws take effect on January 1, aiming to improve various aspects of life in the state. These laws cover a wide range of topics, from protecting wild bison to streamlining marijuana regulations. One of the notable new laws is the right-to-repair electronics law, which requires manufacturers to provide "documentation, software, data and other tools" to device owners and independent repair shops. This law aims to help consumers save money and get repairs done faster. The law includes some exemptions, such as video game consoles due to piracy and security concerns.
Right-to-Repair Electronics Law
The right-to-repair law is a significant development in the state, as it will be one of the most expansive in the country. Democratic state Rep. Brianna Titone of Arvada was the bill’s main sponsor and emphasizes that this law will not only benefit consumers but also companies. According to Titone, companies will be able to hire their own in-house people or third-party service providers to fix their equipment, rather than relying on expensive contracts with manufacturers. This law applies to sales between businesses and with the government, making it a comprehensive approach to right-to-repair.
Paid Family Leave Expansion
Colorado’s paid family leave program, FAMLI, has been expanded to provide additional support to families with babies in neonatal intensive care. Under the new law, these families can apply for an additional 12 weeks of leave. This expansion was inspired by the personal experience of Democratic state Sen. Jeff Bridges, whose son was in intensive care. Bridges emphasizes the need to make it easier for parents with kids in the NICU, and this law aims to do just that. However, opponents of the law are concerned about increased costs to businesses and workers who pay into the FAMLI program.
Gun Show Requirements
Gun show operators in Colorado will be required to submit a security plan to local law enforcement and hold liability insurance under a new law. The security plan must include a list of vendors, a floor plan, information on which areas are under video surveillance, and the estimated number of attendees. Additionally, gun show operators must enforce age limits for attendees and ensure that all purchases follow the state’s background check requirements and three-day waiting period law. This law aims to improve safety and security at gun shows in the state.
Housing and Consumer Protection
Two new laws aim to protect consumers in the housing market. Landlords will no longer be allowed to ask prospective tenants using a housing subsidy to submit a credit history or credit score as part of the screening process. A separate housing bill aims to make prices for products and services more transparent for consumers, standardizing prices upfront to avoid hidden fees later on. The law also restricts the kind of fees landlords can charge tenants, providing additional protections for renters.
Protecting Wild Bison
Colorado will now classify wild bison as big game wildlife, rather than only as livestock, providing added protections for the animals. The law makes it mostly illegal to hunt or poach wild bison, also known as buffalo. This law was brought to the state legislature at the request of some tribal communities and does not apply to privately owned bison or bison owned by American Indian tribes. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the state does not have any confirmed wild bison herds, although bison from Utah’s Book Cliffs herd sometimes cross into the state.
Conclusion
The new laws taking effect in Colorado on January 1 cover a wide range of topics, from right-to-repair electronics to protecting wild bison. These laws aim to improve various aspects of life in the state, providing additional protections and support for consumers, families, and wildlife. While some laws may have opposing views, they all contribute to the state’s efforts to create a better environment for its residents. As the state continues to evolve and grow, these new laws will play a significant role in shaping its future.