ColoradoColorado Works rules set grant increases and extension standards
Colorado Works rules permit counties to offer extensions for households with good cause, while basic cash grants get no cost-of-living adjustment in 2026 and 2027.
What it does
State board rules permit counties to offer Colorado Works households more than 60 months of help when they show good cause. This can include a single parent with a child younger than one year.
Colorado Works basic cash grants get no cost-of-living adjustment in the state fiscal years starting in 2026 and 2027. A yearly increase formula applies starting in 2028.
Argument forCounties could keep some households receiving help beyond 60 months when they show good cause, including a single parent with a child under one.
Argument againstWithout a cost-of-living increase in 2026 or 2027, cash grants may become harder for applicants and participants to stretch as prices rise.
More detail
The state board adopts rules setting standards that permit counties to offer extensions beyond the 60-month limit. The rules cover Colorado Works households that show good cause. Good cause includes, but is not limited to, a single parent who heads a household and has a child younger than one year.
Basic cash assistance grants follow a yearly increase formula starting in 2028, with no cost-of-living adjustment in 2026 or 2027. This applies to basic cash assistance grants for Colorado Works applicants and participants. Starting in 2028, grants must rise by at least 2% or by the average Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for that year and the prior two years, whichever is greater. The no-adjustment years begin July 1, 2026, and July 1, 2027. The yearly increase formula applies beginning July 1, 2028.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 2Governor Jared Polis SignedBecame Law
- May 22Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- May 22Signed by the Speaker of the HouseMajor
- May 22Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 11House Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed House
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- May 9House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
- May 8House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer Senate Bill 26-181 to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Refer Senate Bill 26-181 to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Lower
- May 8House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
- May 6Senate Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed Senate
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Upper
- May 6Introduced In House - Assigned to AppropriationsMinor
- May 5Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer Senate Bill 26-181 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. Result: pass.Upper
- May 5Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
- Apr 27Introduced In Senate - Assigned to AppropriationsIntroduced
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