3-2-1 Capitol Connection – April 17, 2025

3 Things to Know

New Homeowners’ Insurance Enterprises. “Increase Access Homeowner’s Insurance Enterprises” (House Bill 1302)—a bill that passed its first committee last week, is on our radar and should be on yours as well. The bill creates two new state enterprises aimed at protecting homes from wildfire and extreme weather: the Strengthen Colorado Homes Enterprise (which will fund grants to help homeowners upgrade to resilient roofing systems and resist property damage from common issues like wildfire and other extreme weather events) and the Wildfire Catastrophe Reinsurance Enterprise (makes reinsurance payments to insurers that offer homeowner’s insurance on properties located in areas of the state that are at high risk for wildfires). It is important to note, however, that funding comes from fees on top of homeowners’ insurance premiums. Originally proposed at 1.5%, the Strengthen Colorado Homes Enterprise fee has now been reduced to 0.5%. For the Wildfire Catastrophe Reinsurance Enterprise, homeowners who already meet IBHS standards or have Class IV roofs won’t pay the fee at all, while those who do not meet those marks will see a 0.5% fee. The insurance industry has also leaned in to remove from the table items such as an insurer-focused loss ratio provisions. The legislature continues its work on the budget, but once it passes, bills such as this one that is awaiting a hearing in the Appropriations committee, will continue to move through the chamber.

Special Session…AGAIN! We’re hearing rumblings about a possible special session in Colorado, and while nothing is confirmed just yet, it’s something we’re keeping a close eye on. Colorado’s regular legislative session runs annually from early January through early May, lasting 120 days. A special session, however, is called outside the regular legislative calendar—typically by the Governor—and is meant to address specific, urgent issues. In this case, it’s likely to focus on Colorado’s significant budget challenges—including a billion dollar shortfall and the federal government’s ongoing retreat from funding key areas such as healthcare and education. While the scope of a special session is meant to be narrow, once budgetary conversations begin, it can create ripple effects across multiple sectors. We’ll keep you updated here as we learn more!

Referred Referenda for the November 2025 Election. There are several referred ballot measures in the works at the Colorado General Assembly. Some include the Healthy School Meals for All Program through House Bill 1274. The bill refers two measures for the November 2025 election that modify the program passed by voters in 2022 (Proposition FF). The first ballot referendum tied to this bill asks voters if the state can keep and spend taxes collected in prior years for the program.

The second measure increases income taxes to fund the Healthy School Meals for All program. If either measure passes, the state of Colorado will collect more taxes exempt from TABOR (Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights) and decreases the net amount of TABOR refunds in fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 by $17.5 million and $10.3 million, respectively.

2 Things to Share

April is Fair Housing Month. Come celebrate Fair Housing Month with us! The Colorado Association of REALTORS’® Diversity & Inclusion Committee is hosting four great activities in the month of April to educate and celebrate Fair Housing Month. Click here for more details.

Be a Fair Housing champion and participate in all four activities to receive a $20 gift card to the REALTOR® store.

FAIR Plan Is Now Live in Colorado. As we know, the 2023 session included the passage of legislation creating Colorado’s FAIR Plan, a last-resort insurance option for property owners who have made at least three unsuccessful attempts to find coverage through traditional insurers. For consumers, this means up to $750,000 in coverage for residential properties and $5 million for commercial properties. It is important to note that FAIR Plan policies only provide coverage for the actual cash value (ACV) of the property. They are NOT replacement cost coverage. ACV is determined by the replacement cost less depreciation.

1 Thing to Do

CAR committee applications opened on March 17th. The deadline to apply for Government Affairs Committees is June 13th. You may apply for up to three committees and can be selected for a maximum of two. Click here to view all CAR committees and descriptions. You can apply by clicking this link.

• CAR Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) will meet primarily January through May to review, prepare, and take positions on legislation in the next regular session of the Colorado General Assembly. The Legislative Policy Committee consists of 35 to 45 voting members who review state legislation and take positions on public policy.

• The CAR Political Action Committee (CARPAC) members are charged with managing and distributing RPAC funds for local and state candidates and issues mobilization dollars for state and local issues, supporting grassroots and lobbying efforts, and educating REALTOR® members on matters of public policy. CARPAC consists of 19 Realtor® members from across the state. There are 5 open seats this year (i.e. 1 in the Northeast District, 2 in the Southeast District, in the Metro District, and 1 At-Large.) CAR is thankful to the following volunteer Realtor® members who will complete two terms of service at the end of 2025: Will Flowers (LBAR), David Madone (RGAR), Donna Major (PPAR), Susan Pearce (DMAR), and Randy Reynolds (PPAR).

NAR

NAR and Realtor.com® Recognize 2025 Fair Housing Champions

The National Association of Realtors® and Realtor.com® today honored three winners of the Fair Housing Champion Award during NAR’s Fair Housing Month event, “Fair Housing Forward.” Honorees received recognition for their efforts to advance fair housing and expand homeownership in their communities.

She Came, She Saw, She Closed: The Generational Trends of Single Female Home Buying

This year’s NAR Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report revealed some fascinating stats: Although only 3% of the market, Generation Z boasted the highest share of single-female home buyers at 30%. Millennials (Younger and Older) weren’t far behind, with 33% of their buyers being single women.

Housing Supply Frameworks Act Would Break Down Barriers to Housing Development

“The rising cost of housing is putting the American dream out of reach for working families across our country,” said Rep. Flood in an April 10 announcement introducing the legislation. “We need an all-of-the-above approach to addressing America’s housing crisis.