Colorado § 26.5-2-210 - Transfer of functions - legislative intent.

§ 26.5-2-210. Transfer of functions - legislative intent.

(1) It is the intent of the general assembly that on and after July 1, 2026, the statewide system of early childhood councils is responsible for executing, administering, performing, and enforcing the rights, powers, duties, functions, and obligations vested before July 1, 2026, in the local coordinating organizations established pursuant to part 1 of this article 2, as it existed prior to July 1, 2026.

(2) It is the intent of the general assembly that the rights, powers, duties, functions, and obligations concerning supporting access to and delivery of early childhood and family support programs and services are transferred to the statewide system of early childhood councils, effective July 1, 2026.

(3) It is the intent of the general assembly that any money the department allocates to support a transition period extension pursuant to subsection (7) of this section be a one-time expenditure and not be a source of ongoing program funding or a baseline adjustment.

(4) A local coordinating organization retains the rights, powers, duties, functions, and obligations necessary to satisfy the requirements of a coordinator agreement in force prior to July 1, 2026. An early childhood council may subcontract the provision of services described in this part 2 to a local coordinating organization that is established prior to July 1, 2026, and that is not also an early childhood council. An early childhood council may subcontract the provision of services described in this part 2, including after July 1, 2026, if the subcontracting is consistent with the council's approved agreement and department oversight.

(5) The rules pertaining to the rights, powers, duties, functions, and obligations transferred to the statewide system of early childhood councils that are adopted by the executive director and are in effect as of July 1, 2026, continue in effect and apply to the department and persons providing the services described in part 1 of this article 2 as it existed prior to July 1, 2026, until replaced by rules adopted by the executive director pursuant to this part 2 on or before July 1, 2027.

(6) On and after July 1, 2026, unless otherwise specified, if a provision of law refers to a local coordinating organization with regard to the rights, powers, duties, functions, or obligations specified in subsection (1) of this section, the law is construed as referring to an early childhood council.

(7) (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part 2, if the transfer of rights, duties, functions, and obligations described in this section requires the consolidation, reassignment, or material modification of the duties of an organization providing the services described in part 1 of this article 2, as it existed prior to July 1, 2026, or an early childhood council, the department may authorize a one-time extension of the transition period. The transition period must conclude on or before July 1, 2029, and is not subject to further extension.

(b) During a transition period extension authorized pursuant to subsection (7)(a) of this section, the department may, as necessary to support the administration and coordination of early childhood programs and services, maintain separate contracts with an early childhood council and an organization providing the services described in part 1 of this article 2, as it existed prior to July 1, 2026.

(c) On or before January 1, 2029, the department shall submit a written report to the joint budget committee. The report must include an analysis of transition costs and expenditures, operational readiness, and recommendations for any legislative changes necessary to facilitate local early childhood services administration, coordination, and contracting following a transition period authorized pursuant to subsection (7)(a) of this section.

Source: L. 2026: Entire section added, (SB 26-019), ch. 104, p. 421, § 9, effective May 5.

ARTICLE 3

Family and Child Health and Well-being

PART 1

FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS

26.5-3-101. Legislative declaration.

26.5-3-102. Definitions.

26.5-3-103. Program created.

26.5-3-104. Selection of centers - grants.

PART 2

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION TRUST FUND

26.5-3-201. Short title.

26.5-3-202. Legislative declaration.

26.5-3-203. Definitions.

26.5-3-204. Colorado child abuse prevention board - creation - members - terms - vacancies - reimbursement for expenses.

26.5-3-205. Powers and duties of the board.

26.5-3-206. Colorado child abuse prevention trust fund - creation - source of funds - appropriation - report - repeal.

26.5-3-207. Disbursement of grants from the trust fund - restrictions.

26.5-3-208. Report - repeal.

26.5-3-209. Repeal of part. (Repealed)

PART 3

CHILD CARE SERVICES AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT

26.5-3-301. Definitions.

26.5-3-302. Child care services and substance use disorder treatment pilot program - created - purposes - eligibility - evaluation - funding - rules.

26.5-3-303. Repeal of part.

PART 4

COORDINATED SYSTEM OF PAYMENT FOR EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS

26.5-3-401. Legislative declaration.

26.5-3-402. Definitions.

26.5-3-403. Early intervention services - administration - duties of department - rules.

26.5-3-404. Child find - responsibilities - interagency operating agreements.

26.5-3-405. Authorized services - conditions of funding - purchases of services - rules.

26.5-3-406. Coordinated system of payment for early intervention services - duties of departments.

26.5-3-407. Cooperation among state agencies - implementing coordinated payment system - revisions to rules.

26.5-3-408. Certified early intervention service brokers - duties - payment for early intervention services - fees.

26.5-3-409. Payment from private health insurance for early intervention services - trust fund.

26.5-3-410. Annual report - cooperation from certified early intervention service brokers and qualified providers. (Repealed)

PART 5

COLORADO NURSE HOME VISITOR PROGRAM

26.5-3-501. Short title.

26.5-3-502. Legislative declaration.

26.5-3-503. Definitions.

26.5-3-504. Nurse home visitor program - created - rules.

26.5-3-505. Health sciences facility - duties.

26.5-3-506. Program applications - requirements.

26.5-3-507. Selection of entities to administer the program - grants - nurse home visitor program fund - created - report - repeal.

26.5-3-508. Annual program review - audit.

PART 6

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING PROGRAMS

26.5-3-601. Legislative declaration.

26.5-3-602. Definitions.

26.5-3-603. Social-emotional learning programs grant program - created - implementation partner - application - selection - funding - rules.

PART 7

EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATION PROGRAM

26.5-3-701. Definitions.

26.5-3-702. Early childhood mental health consultation - statewide program - creation - purpose - rules.

26.5-3-703. Model of early childhood mental health consultation - standards and guidelines - qualifications.

26.5-3-704. Statewide professional development plan for early childhood mental health consultants.

26.5-3-705. Statewide qualifications and competencies for early childhood mental health consultants.

26.5-3-706. Data collection - reporting.

26.5-3-707. Funding support.

PART 8

EMERGENCY RELIEF GRANT PROGRAMS

26.5-3-801. Legislative declaration.

26.5-3-802. Child care sustainability grant program - created - timeline and criteria - grant awards - funding - definitions.

26.5-3-803. Emerging and expanding child care grant program - created - timeline and criteria - grant awards - funding - definitions - repeal.

26.5-3-804. Employer-based child care facility grant program - created - timeline and criteria - eligibility - grant awards - reports - funding - definitions - repeal.

26.5-3-805. Early care and education recruitment and retention grant and scholarship program - created - criteria and eligibility - grant and scholarship awards - reports - funding - rules - definitions - repeal.

26.5-3-806. Child care teacher salary grant program - created - timeline - criteria and eligibility - grant awards - reports - definitions.

26.5-3-807. Community innovation and resilience for care and learning equity (CIRCLE) grant program - created - criteria - definitions.

26.5-3-808. Family, friend, and neighbor support programs - advisory group - training and support program - funding - definitions - repeal.

PART 9

FAMILY STRENGTHENING HOME VISITING PROGRAMS

26.5-3-901. Legislative declaration.

26.5-3-902. Definition.

26.5-3-903. Family-strengthening grant programs - authorized requirements - implementation partner - rules.

26.5-3-904. Home visiting grant program - authorized requirements - implementation partner - rules - definition - repeal.

PART 10

PEDIATRIC PRIMARY CARE PRACTICE PROGRAM

26.5-3-1001. Definitions.

26.5-3-1002. Pediatric primary care practice program - created - model - rules.

26.5-3-1003. Funding.

PART 1

FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS