The Colorado Senate has approved a bill that’s designed to modernize the state’s marijuana regulations, passing it today by a vote of 25 to 10.
The measure, House Bill 1209, proposes major reforms to licensing, compliance, and research rules, and now returns to the House for a final concurrence vote before heading to the governor’s desk.
House Bill 1209, which previously passed the House 45 to 18 and is sponsored by Representative William Lindstedt and a group of bipartisan lawmakers, would raise the purchase limit for retail marijuana from one ounce to two ounces, authorize promotional giveaways under strict conditions, and allow marijuana businesses to use digital notifications instead of mailed letters for regulatory communications.
Other updates to the bill include simplified recordkeeping for licensees already using the state’s seed-to-sale tracking system, modified surveillance rules requiring 72-hour written notice before regulators can request video footage, and reforms to the identification process for marijuana workers by allowing digital IDs and limiting fingerprint background checks to initial licensing.
The legislation would also expand access to research and development units for all licensed employees, subject to specific packaging, tracking, and safety requirements. It further eliminates certain misdemeanor penalties related to ownership disclosures and simplifies the license renewal process.
If enacted, HB 1209 would take effect on January 5, 2026.
