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Read. Follow. Verify.Colorado HB 26-1007 Streamlines Portable Solar Use and Meter Adapters
Last action · May 7, 2026: Governor SignedSponsors: Lesley Smith and 47 others
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What This Bill Does
Colorado law now prohibits electric utilities and homeowners associations from banning portable solar generation devices up to 1,920 watts, and requires utilities to establish clear approval pathways for s by December 31, 2026. The legislation limits utility fees and prior approval requirements for small plug-in solar devices, while ensuring safety through required and UL listing standards. These provisions take effect on August 12, 2026, barring a referendum petition.
Residential customers and apartment dwellers gain the legal right to use small, balcony-friendly solar panels and meter adapters without facing utility bans, excessive fees, or HOA restrictions.
- The Colorado General Assembly is the state legislature responsible for passing statutory laws and enacting state-level utility and energy policies. context
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Retail electric service providers
Electric utilities must refrain from charging fees or requiring prior approval for portable solar devices, and must update rules and maintain public lists for approved meter collar adapters.
Common interest community residents
Homeowners and apartment residents gain the legal right to install portable solar devices on balconies, patios, and limited common elements subject to reasonable security and safety restrictions.
Municipal and cooperative utilities
These utilities must establish and publish standardized interconnection timelines and review processes for customer-owned meter collar adapters by December 31, 2026.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my homeowners association ban me from using a portable solar panel on my balcony?
Do I need my electric utility's permission before plugging in a portable solar device?
What safety features are required for portable solar devices?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
16 actions- May 7, 2026GovernorEnrolledGovernor Signed
- May 1, 2026HouseSigned by the Speaker of the House
- May 1, 2026SenateSigned by the President of the Senate
- May 1, 2026GovernorSent to the Governor
- Apr 14, 2026HouseHouse Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
- Apr 6, 2026HouseHouse Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily
Show 10 earlier actions
- Apr 2, 2026SenateFloorSenate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
- Apr 1, 2026SenateFloorSenate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
- Mar 30, 2026SenateSenate Second Reading Laid Over to 04/01/2026 - No Amendments
- Mar 25, 2026SenateCommitteeSenate Committee on Transportation & Energy Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole
- Mar 10, 2026SenateIntroducedIntroduced In Senate - Assigned to Transportation & Energy
- Mar 5, 2026HouseFloorHouse Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
- Mar 4, 2026HouseFloorHouse Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
- Mar 3, 2026HouseHouse Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
- Feb 26, 2026HouseCommitteeHouse Committee on Energy & Environment Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
- Jan 14, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced In House - Assigned to Energy & Environment
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Show 43 more sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Mandatory Utility Accommodation of Meter Adapters
The legislation shifts regulatory requirements by obligating both investor-owned, cooperative, and municipal utilities to establish streamlined approval frameworks for customer-owned meter collar adapters.
Connected Entities
Sources
leg.colorado.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance85How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz45Current news / social attention level
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