Colorado House Passes Bill to Protect Workers from Extreme Temperatures

Colorado House Advances Bill on Heat and Cold Stress Prevention

The Colorado House passed H.B. 26-1272 on May 15, 2026, aimed at protecting workers from extreme temperatures, and the bill has moved to the House Appropriations Committee, according to Safety+Health Magazine. This legislation directs the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to begin collecting data no later than Jan. 1 on work-related injuries, illnesses, and emergencies caused by heat or cold stress.

Key Provisions of the Bill

H.B. 26-1272 requires the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to develop a model temperature-related injury and illness prevention plan, known as TRIIPP, by Jan. 1, 2028, and make it available on the department’s website. This is the second attempt by state legislators to pass such a measure, as the previous bill, H.B. 25-1286, was tabled in March 2025 by the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee. During a March 18 hearing, Rep. Meg Froelich, one of the bill’s sponsors, stated that the new version was adjusted because the prior one was considered too prescriptive.

Legislative Background and Context

Colorado already has heat illness and injury prevention requirements specifically for agricultural workers, and it is one of seven states with some form of heat regulation, including California, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, according to Safety+Health Magazine. In her statement, Froelich emphasized the need to collect data on extreme temperatures, noting that such efforts would allow for better planning to keep workers healthy amid increasingly hot summers and unpredictable cold days.

Implications for Workplace Safety

The bill’s focus on data collection and prevention planning addresses work-related hazards from heat and cold, building on existing state regulations. As a widely-known context, extreme weather events have prompted various states to enhance worker protections, though specifics vary by region. According to Safety+Health Magazine, this development reflects ongoing efforts in Colorado to mitigate occupational illnesses related to workplace exposures.