Colorado State Senator Dylan Roberts has submitted a Guest Column with a preview of the upcoming legislative session. Senator Roberts writes, that it “highlights the priorities and issues we will be focused on as the session gets underway,” on Wednesday, Jan. 14.
The 2026 Colorado Legislative Session Begins
Every January, the Colorado General Assembly returns to the Capitol with a mix of urgency and opportunity. This year will be no different. After another year of economic uncertainty at both the national and state level, Coloradans are looking to their legislature to answer some big questions: How do we live within our means while protecting what matters most? How do we make life more affordable for working families? And how do we keep our communities safe, resilient, and thriving?
The Budget
Let’s start with the numbers, because this year they matter more than ever. Colorado’s budget is under real pressure. Unlike Congress in Washington, which continues to run massive deficits, our state constitution requires a balanced budget. That means when costs rise and revenues slow, we have to make tough decisions.
This year, rising health care costs, inflation, and reduced federal support mean we’ll once again face significant cuts. Governor Jared Polis has proposed a budget that includes reductions to Medicaid and other large programs while attempting to preserve funding for education and public safety. Now it’s the legislature’s job to shape the final plan.
I’m confident we can make responsible choices that protect full funding for K–12 education and preserve critical health services as much as possible. But there’s no sugarcoating it: this session will require plain talk about priorities, tradeoffs, and what we can realistically afford. I’ll be at the table making sure rural and mountain communities — which too often feel overlooked — have a strong voice in those decisions.
Bringing Down the Cost of Living
Affordability remains the number-one issue I hear about everywhere in Senate District 8. Housing costs, insurance premiums, groceries, gas — too many families feel squeezed. While a lot of these pressures come from national and global forces, the state legislature does have tools to help.
This session, expect major debates on ways to lower everyday costs while keeping Colorado a place where families, workers, and businesses can succeed. That includes expanding attainable housing options, reducing home and auto insurance costs, stepping in where the federal government has failed to rein in health insurance prices, and pursuing other policies aimed at lowering the overall cost of living.
My Legislative Agenda: Focused on Results
Since last session ended, I’ve spent months traveling across SD8 meeting with residents, nonprofit leaders, law enforcement, business owners, and local officials. From those conversations, several clear priorities have emerged — all rooted in the real challenges and opportunities facing rural and mountain communities. Here are a few of the bills I’ll be bringing forward.
Cutting Red Tape for Attainable Housing
Colorado’s housing crisis is about supply as much as price. I’ll introduce legislation to cut unnecessary regulatory barriers so local communities can unlock financing for attainable housing and build more of the homes our workforce and young families need.
Improving Road Safety
In rural Colorado, safe roads aren’t a convenience — they’re a necessity. I’ve worked for years to improve winter driving safety on I-70 and mountain highways. Now we need to address dangerous driving behaviors that have led to tragic accidents across our region. Law enforcement and first responders agree: cracking down on excessive speeding and illegal passing will save lives, and one of my bills will do exactly that. We’ll also look to improve crash investigations and secure long-term investment in wildlife crossing and fencing infrastructure that saves lives – both animals and humans – by significantly reducing crashes.
Protecting Children
As a father, nothing matters more to me than keeping our kids safe. I’m working with colleagues from both parties on legislation to strengthen human trafficking laws, protect children from online predators, and ensure social media platforms comply with safety standards. Technology shouldn’t come at the expense of our children’s well-being.
Supporting Coal Transition Communities
Northwest Colorado communities facing the economic transition away from coal deserve real support — not empty promises. I’ll introduce legislation to help these communities maximize settlement funds that will be vital for replacing lost tax base, attracting new industries, and supporting workers.
Standing Up for Agriculture and Water
As Chair of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, I’ll continue fighting for smart investments in the Colorado Water Plan, strong support for Western Slope farmers and ranchers, and vigilant oversight of major issues like Colorado River negotiations and wolf reintroduction.
Stay in Touch
I’ll be at the Capitol working for smart solutions, honest conversations, and outcomes that make Colorado stronger, safer, and more affordable for everyone. My work is driven by the needs of the communities I serve — and I want to hear from you.
Attend a town hall (virtually or in person), follow the legislature’s work, read local coverage, or reach out to me anytime. You can contact me at SenatorDylanRoberts@gmail.com or on my cell at (970) 846-3054.
The session ahead won’t be easy. But with clear priorities, open dialogue, and a commitment to practical solutions, I’m optimistic about what we can accomplish together.
Dylan Roberts is the state senator for Clear Creek, Eagle, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt and Summit counties.