3-2-1 Capitol Connection – May 8, 2025
3 Things to Know
The 2025 Legislative Session is Over. The 120-day legislative session wrapped on Wednesday, May 7th. The same batch of legislators won’t reconvene until January 14, 2026, for the start of the 2026 legislative session. This year, the Colorado Association of REALTORS® tracked 84 bills and resolutions of the 732 that were introduced. Nearly 90 bills were read, reviewed and discussed by more than 50 Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) members from just under 20 different associations. Please join us in thanking them for their service and commitment.
REALTOR® Safety and Use of Identity Apps Like Forewarn. Unfortunately“Artificial Intelligence Consumer Protections” (SB 318) was killed on Monday, May 5th at the request of the bill sponsor Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez. (Colorado Sun article, Colorado Politics article). There was an attempt late Tuesday night to delay implementation of last year’s AI bill SB24-205, which failed after being filibustered until midnight (Denver Post article behind paywall). Our press release and blog post covers how this endangers real estate professionals’ safety and calls on legislators to fix the law before it takes effect next year. Please feel free to share this on your social media pages.
To be very clear, every REALTOR® can still use identity/fraud applications such as Forewarn. Key sections of statute from Senate Bill 24-205 last year don’t take effect until February 1, 2026. There will be a concerted and more forceful effort on our part next January to secure and pass the language we need for real estate professionals to operate safely.
Other Notable Bills That Recently Died. “Increasing Public Awareness of Mold Health Effects” (House Bill 1202) proposed requiring a disclosure located in the contract to buy and sell real estate with a warning statement about adverse health issues caused by mold, followed by any reports of mold on the property. CAR successfully amended the bill to move the disclosure to the seller’s property disclosure and to carve out post-closing occupancy agreements. Another bill affecting homeowner’s insurance met a similar fate. “Increase Access Homeowner’s Insurance Enterprises” (House Bill 1302) sought to create two new enterprises with one to help policy holders replace roofs that withstand hail and a second to create a Wildfire Reinsurance program to help insurers cover catastrophic claims. Both enterprises would have increased fees on insurers, and ultimately passed onto consumers. We helped reduce the fees by 66% before the bill finally died. “Utility On-Bill Repayment Program Financing” (House Bill 1268), on the other hand, proposed using the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund to finance a no-interest loan program for energy efficiency and electrification upgrades. This loan could either be tied to the individual in the form of a lien on their property or to the utility meter in the form of “tariff” based repayment program. These financial encumbrances, however, would likely have an impact on real estate transactions and we secured language that ensured both would be recorded through the title process.
2 Things to Share
“Jury Trials for Tenant Proceedings” (HB 1235) was halted. HB 1235 would have expanded the role of jury trials in eviction proceedings by granting either party — landlord or tenant — the right to request one, while also setting new requirements for serving summons and prohibiting lease clauses that waive this right to a jury. HB 1235 would have significantly increased costs, clogged already overwhelmed courts, and created unpredictable delays for housing providers in such proceedings. Through thoughtful advocacy, however, the bill was ultimately killed in committee.
Apply for CAR Government Affairs committees. Make an impact and help shape the industry! You have until June 13th to apply for any CAR Committee including the Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) and the Political Action Committee (CARPAC) under Government Affairs. Apply and rank up to three committees, but keep in mind members can only serve on up to two CAR committees. Curious about the committees? Ready to jump in? Apply now by clicking this link. The CAR Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) is where the action happens from January to May, diving into legislation, shaping policies, and taking positions for the 2026 Colorado General Assembly session. With 35 to 45 passionate voting members, this group tackles state legislation and drives public policy forward. Meanwhile, the CAR Political Action Committee (CARPAC) is all about making a difference in the electoral and ballot landscape. This dynamic team of 19 REALTOR® members from across Colorado manages and distributes RPAC funds to support local and state candidates, fuels grassroots and lobbying efforts, and educates REALTOR® members on critical public policy issues. Don’t miss your chance to join. Apply by June 13th. While not committees, any REALTOR® can join the monthly forums for Colorado Project Wildfire (CPW) or RPAC Engagement Council. Email govaffairs@coloradorealtors.com to be invited to those monthly forums.
1 Thing to Do
Stay Connected During the Interim! The gavel may have dropped on this year’s legislative session, but your voice as a REALTOR® still matters. The interim is the perfect time to build or strengthen relationships and get ahead of priority issues with your Senator or State Representative, all without the chaos of the session swirling around them. Unsure who your legislators are? The Colorado General Assembly has a page where you can simply type in your address and it will tell you who represents you under the dome.
- Be sure to invite them to your local events and attend their district events and meetings.
- Connect online — follow their social media pages and sign up for their newsletters for updates from their office throughout the year.
- Send a quick email or handwritten note thanking them for their work on key policies that help us continue to do great work in their districts.
- Make sure they know you are a resource — remind them that this is your everyday work, and that you’re happy to provide valuable insights on what buyers, sellers, and renters are experiencing.
- Keep in touch with your Government Affairs team at CAR — staying connected helps us advocate more effectively on your behalf, and we’re always here to help brainstorm!
NAR
White House Releases Proposed Budget
Importantly, this is the first presidentially-proposed budget in four years that has not recommended limiting or repealing the 1031 like-kind exchange, an important tax tool for real estate.
Advocacy Scoop: New NAR Poll Unveiled—Tax Reform, Real Estate Policy and Voter Opinion
In the latest podcast episode, released today, hosts Shannon McGahn, NAR’s executive vice president and chief advocacy officer, and Patrick Newton, the association’s vice president of advocacy communications, walk through the results of a new consumer survey. It reveals broad public support for tax policies that support a healthy housing market.
Mortgage Rates Ease Slightly: Is It Enough to Grow Spring Sales?
Home buyers this spring are locking in lower mortgage rates than they could a year ago, when rates pushed above 7%. But even with the latest decline—bringing 30-year fixed rates to a 6.76% average—many prospective buyers aren’t ready to take action.
Pending Home Sales Jumped 6.1% in March
“Home buyers are acutely sensitive to even minor fluctuations in mortgage rates,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “While contract signings are not a guarantee of eventual closings, the solid rise in pending home sales implies a sizable build-up of potential home buyers, fueled by ongoing job growth.”