The start of a new year means a new set of laws go into effect in Colorado, the majority of which were passed during the 2024 legislative session. Here are the laws that go into effect on Jan. 1:
1. All eggs sold in Colorado must be from cage-free hens
A law passed in 2020 requires that all eggs sold in the state must be from hens housed in cage-free facilities by Jan. 1, 2025. The law also requires producers to have one square foot of floor space per hen. Farms with fewer than 3,000 hens are exempt from the law.
Producers who do not adhere to the new rules can be fined up to $1,000 by the Department of Agriculture.
2. Using a phone while driving will be illegal
While Colorado drivers under the age of 18 were already prohibited from using a cellular device while driving, a new law will expand those rules to drivers of all ages, requiring the use of a hands-free device when making phone calls while driving.
There are several exceptions to the law, such as in emergencies or by first responders.
First-time offenders will be fined $75, with penalties increasing upon each subsequent offense. Two points will also be deducted from an offender's driver's license.
3. Updates to car seat rules
The General Assembly passed a bill during the 2024 legislative session making changes to the state's rules around car seats for infants and children, which will go into effect in 2025. The bill increases the age that a child is required to be in a booster seat from 8 to 9 years old and raises the age and weight of children who must be in rear-facing car seats from under 1 year to under 2 years old and from under 20 pounds to under 40 pounds.
4. Guns must be securely stored in vehicles when left unattended
Starting next year, any handguns left inside an unoccupied vehicle must be stored in a locked hard-sided container out of plain sight. The vehicle must also be locked while unattended.
Other firearms can be stored in soft-sided containers, as long as the weapon has a locking device.
There are some exceptions to the law, including for antique firearms, law enforcement officers, and people who live in RVs.
5. Minimum wage is increasing
Colorado's minimum wage will increase from $14.42 per hour to $14.81 per hour next year, while the wage for tipped workers will increase from $11.40 per hour to $11.79 per hour.
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The state's minimum wage increases each year based on the consumer price index.
6. Ban on "forever chemicals" in cosmetics and furniture
During the 2022 legislative session, lawmakers passed House Bill 1345, which prohibits the sale of certain items that contain harmful perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, also known as PFAS or "forever chemicals" because they can last for centuries in the environment.
The first stage of the law went into effect last year, banning the use of PFAS in items like rugs, food packaging, and products meant for children. The next phase of the law will go into effect in 2025 and will apply to cosmetics, furniture, towels, and bedding.
7. Increased protections for minor workers
Last session, lawmakers passed House Bill 1095, modernizing the state's youth employment laws by increasing penalties for violating the Colorado Youth Employment Opportunity Act of 1971 and requiring employers who violate the act to pay damages to the affected minors. The law goes into effect on January 1.
8. Protection orders for victims of crimes
Also going into effect on Jan. 1 is 2024's House Bill 1122, which strengthens and clarifies the procedures and protections associated with civil protection orders in Colorado. The law allows protection orders to be filed in any county where the alleged harmful behavior occurred, permits judges to extend temporary protection orders for up to a year after the scheduled hearing for a permanent order, and requires individuals involved in cases of domestic violence that include physical threats or force to relinquish all firearms.
9. Minor autopsy report release requirements
Under 2024's House Bill 1244, starting Jan. 1, 2025, autopsy reports for the death of a minor are confidential and can only be disclosed in specific situations and to certain individuals. The law clarifies that autopsy reports for minors are not considered public records under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA).
10. Higher damage limit for tort actions
House Bill 1472, signed into law last summer, raises the cap on damages for noneconomic loss or injury from $250,000 to $1.5 million starting next year, with adjustments for inflation every two years after 2028.
The law also includes siblings in the list of individuals allowed to sue for wrongful death and imposes a wrongful death damages cap of $2.125 million, with adjustments for inflation every two years after 2028.
Medical malpractice and wrongful death damages will also be incrementally increased starting in the New Year to reach $1.575 million by 2030 with biennial inflation adjustments thereafter.
Other laws that go into effect on January 1, 2025:
HB24-1248 - Non-Testamentary Electronic Estate Planning DocsHB24-1258 - Credit Covered Person Expenses Insurer InsolvencyHB24-1321 - Insurance Holding Company Model RegulationHB24-1342 - Test Accommodations for Persons with DisabilitiesSB24-024 - Local Lodging Tax Reporting on Sales ReturnSB24-026 - Agriculture & Natural Resources Public Engagement RequirementSB24-093 - Continuity of Health-Care Coverage ChangeSB24-167 - Training for Entry-Level Health-Care Workers