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Please check the summary of Colorado legislation for any updates on the information below.

Colorado House Bill 08 – 1270

Prevents the prohibition or restrictions on installation of renewable energy devices, such as solar panel and wind turbines.

Prevents the prohibition of installation of energy efficiency measures, such as:

• An awning, shutter, trellis, ramada or other shade structure
• A garage or attic fan
• An evaporative cooler
• Energy efficient outdoor lighting device, such as a motion detector or CFL bulb
• A retractable clothesline

Colorado House Bill 09-1149

Requires homebuilders to offer buyers the opportunity to install one of the following:

• a photovoltaic solar or solar thermal system;
• upgrades of wiring or plumbing or systems; or
• a chase or conduit constructed to allow ease of future installation of the necessary wiring or plumbing for such systems.

Homebuilders are required to provide every buyer under contract with a list of solar installers who can assess the home's solar energy generation potential.          

Colorado Senate Bill 09-080

Allows for the collection of precipitation from up to 3,000 square feet of a roof of a residence that  is not connected to a domestic water system that serves more than three single-family dwellings. 

The collected water may be used for ordinary household purposes, fire protection, watering of animals and livestock, and irrigation of up to one acre of gardens and lawns.

A person wanting to capture rooftop precipitation must submit an application for a permit and pay a fee to the state engineer.