College campuses across Colorado will have to provide students access to abortion medication starting next summer, under new legislation signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Jared Polis.
Under , any college or university with a student health center is required to provide access to the two-pill prescription starting Aug. 1, 2027. If the school has a pharmacy, the pharmacy is required to stock the medication for students.
Otherwise, medical staff for the school can either write the student a prescription for an off-campus pharmacy or directly dispense the medications to the student.
The bill passed the legislature with only Democratic support. It was one of roughly two dozen bills the governor signed Wednesday, alongside several more from Tuesday.
Among the other bills signed into law was , which allows local governments to apply for new financing to pay for infrastructure projects that support public transit, like new signage or lighting. The measure also creates a new income tax credit for people who invest in housing in transit areas. The credit will award up to $8.33 million per year between 2027 and 2033.
“This new financing tool creates a pathway for local governments to boost funding for multimodal transit systems and housing that Coloradans can afford so we can better meet the needs of our communities, especially in the High Country,” House Speaker Julie McCluskie, one of the HB 1065’s sponsors, said in a statement.
On Tuesday, Polis also signed , which makes it easier for towns to be formally abandoned. The measure was directly inspired by the southeastern town of Hartman, where the government collapsed earlier this year after years of infighting among its 30 residents.
Colorado law previously would’ve required the town to wait five years before it could be abandoned and Prowers County could step in to provide services. But Hartman’s water system is on the brink of collapse, prompting SB 157, which allows for rapid dissolution under certain circumstances.
Elsewhere Tuesday, the governor also gave final approval to . The bill requires banks to report to police any possible financial exploitation of an adult who is at least 70 years of age or may be susceptible to scams. The measure also gives banks the ability to delay releasing money to the adult for up to 180 days. HB 1110 takes effect in August.
The governor also signed two bills Wednesday aimed at curbing potentially harmful interactions between people and wildlife.
expands existing law to make it illegal for people to knowingly place food or “edible waste” in the open in an attempt to lure a wild bear.
creates an optional $5 “collision prevention fee,” which Coloradans can pay when registering their cars starting in 2027. The money collected from the fee will go to projects intended to help wildlife safely cross roads and interstates.
“Colorado is known for our world-class outdoors and amazing wildlife, and that is why we will expand safe travel options for humans and animals — keeping everyone who calls Colorado home safe. Colorado is a national model for reducing human-wildlife collisions and this new law will build on that success,” Polis said in a statement.
