Colorado House Approves Bill to Protect State Workplace Safety Standards

Colorado House Passes Bill Shielding Workplace Safety Rules

The Colorado House approved an amended bill, H.B. 26-1054, on May 5, 2026, that would keep the state’s workplace safety and health standards in place even if federal OSHA standards are repealed or revoked, according to Safety+Health Magazine. This bill authorizes the state’s attorney general to replace any requirement from the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 should the federal government deregulate, including the OSH Act’s General Duty Clause as of Sept. 1, 2025. The legislation, sponsored by Reps. Manny Rutinel (D-Commerce City) and Elizabeth Velasco (D-Glenwood Springs), is now before the Senate Committee of the Whole.

Key Provisions of the Bill

H.B. 26-1054 originally included provisions related to the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, but that part was removed during the legislative process. Initially, the bill proposed that the state’s Division of Labor Standards and Statistics would handle ensuring safety and health regulations do not become less stringent, though this was amended to assign that role to the attorney general. According to Safety+Health Magazine, this change reflects adjustments made as the bill advanced, aiming to maintain robust state-level protections against potential federal rollbacks. The bill specifically targets maintaining standards under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, which is widely known as a foundational federal law established in 1970 to ensure safe working conditions across the U.S.

Legislative Background and Amendments

The bill was advanced on May 5, 2026, following amendments that altered its original scope, with the removal of the mining act reference being a key modification. Reps. Manny Rutinel and Elizabeth Velasco introduced the measure to safeguard Colorado’s workplace safety framework, and it has now moved to the Senate for further consideration. As widely known, states like Colorado can operate their own OSHA-approved plans, which must be at least as effective as federal standards, and this bill addresses that dynamic by empowering state authorities. According to Safety+Health Magazine, similar legislative efforts have occurred elsewhere, such as when Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a comparable bill in August.

Next Steps and Context

With H.B. 26-1054 now in front of the Senate Committee of the Whole, the bill’s progression will depend on further Senate actions. This development occurs amid ongoing discussions about federal regulatory changes, as the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 has long served as a benchmark for workplace protections. According to Safety+Health Magazine, such state initiatives highlight efforts to preserve safety standards in the face of potential federal shifts.