First Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED
LLS NO. 25-0666.01 Christopher McMichael x4775
HOUSE BILL 25-1096
House Committees Senate Committees
Energy & Environment
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING AUTOMATED PERMITTI NG FOR RESIDENTIAL CLEAN101
ENERGY TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS , AND, IN CONNECTION102
THEREWITH, REQUIRING COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES OVER103
A CERTAIN POPULATION AND THE STATE ELECTRICAL BOARD TO104
IMPLEMENT AN AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING105
PLATFORM TO REVIEW AND ISSUE PERMITS RELATED TO106
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATIONS .107
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov
.)
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Smith and Brown,
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Ball,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. The bill requires counties with a population of more than 5,000
residents in unincorporated areas and municipalities with a population of
more than 5,000 residents to adopt an ordinance or resolution that would
implement an automated residential solar permitting platform (platform).
The platform would automatically review an application for a residential
solar panel installation and issue a permit for the residential solar panel
installation project if the project is code-compliant and meets certain
criteria.
The platform utilized by a county or municipality must be used for
at least 75% of the residential solar panel installation permit applications
submitted to the local jurisdiction. The platform will only be used for
solar panel installations that will be installed on existing residential
buildings, have a maximum capacity of 200 amperes main service
disconnect, and provide electrical power to single-family or 2-family
residential property.
A county or municipality required to implement the platform must
notify the Colorado energy office (office) of its compliance with the
requirements of the bill and submit an annual report to the office related
to the use of the platform and the type of software used.
Counties and municipalities are also eligible to receive funding
and technical assistance from the office to implement platforms.
The office is required to submit a report to the general assembly
related to the use of automated permitting software for other residential
electrification projects, such as electric vehicle charging stations and heat
pump space heaters, and the costs and benefits of implementing the
automated software. The office must submit the report by July 1, 2026.
The state electrical board in the department of regulatory agencies
is also required to implement a platform for use in its issuance and review
of electrical permits related to residential solar panel installations. The
board must also notify the office of its compliance with adopting the
platform and submit an annual report to the office related to the board's
use of the platform.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly2
finds and declares that:3
(a) Colorado has adopted economy-wide greenhouse gas emission4
reduction goals of at least a 50% reduction by 2030 and a 90% reduction5
by 2050;6
HB25-1096-2- (b) Residential solar panel installations are key components for1
the state to meet its greenhouse gas emission goals;2
(c) Outdated and bureaucratic permitting requirements in many3
jurisdictions combined with staffing shortages can add months of delays4
and thousands of dollars to residential solar panel installations;5
(d) Colorado has the third slowest solar permitting timelines in the6
western United States;7
(e) The Solar Energy Industries Associates estimates that8
permitting and other bureaucratic barriers increase costs by over $6,0009
for the typical residential solar project;10
(f) The price tag of residential solar in the United States is11
approximately double the price tag in Europe, which has virtually12
eliminated permitting and other bureaucratic barriers;13
(g) Once a homeowner applies for a solar permit, approximately14
18% of projects are cancelled, and installers cite permitting issues as the15
biggest reason for the cancellations;16
(h) Hundreds of jurisdictions across the country use automated17
residential solar permitting software that is available for free or for a low18
cost to automatically review residential solar panel installation19
applications; and20
(i) Automatic permitting has the potential to reduce the costs of21
residential solar panel installation and reduce installation timelines, thus22
enabling more homeowners to install residential solar panels on their23
homes.24
(2) The general assembly further declares that it is a matter of25
statewide interest and it is in the best interest of Colorado to allow26
homeowners in Colorado to receive automatic permits for residential27
HB25-1096
-3- solar panel installations.1
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 30-28-141 as2
follows:3
30-28-141. Automated residential solar permitting - county4
requirements - reporting - definitions - repeal. (1) Definitions. A
S5
USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :6
(a) "A
UTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM " OR7
"
PLATFORM" MEANS SOFTWARE, OR A COMBINATION OF SOFTWARE, THAT:8
(I) A
CCEPTS AND AUTOMATES THE REVIEW OF AN APPLICATION FOR9
A RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION ;10
(II) A
UTOMATICALLY PRODUCES COUNTY CODE -COMPLIANT11
APPROVALS FOR A RESIDENTIAL SOLA R PANEL INSTALLATION THAT MEETS12
THE COUNTY'S PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS;13
(III) A
CCEPTS PAYMENT OF ANY APPLICABLE COUNTY PERMITTING14
FEES; AND15
(IV) A
UTOMATICALLY ISSUES A PERMIT OR PERMIT REVISION FOR16
A RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION ONCE AN INDIVIDUAL HAS17
SUBMITTED APPROVED , CODE-COMPLIANT PLANS AND PAYS ANY18
APPLICABLE PERMITTING FEES RELATED TO THE RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL19
INSTALLATION.20
(b) "O
FFICE" MEANS THE COLORADO ENERGY OFFICE CREATED IN21
SECTION 24-38.5-101.22
(c) "P
ERMIT" MEANS A PERMIT ISSUED BY A COUNTY THAT IS23
REQUIRED FOR THE INSTALLATION OF SOLAR PANELS ON A RESIDENTIAL24
PROPERTY AND MAY INCLUDE AN ELECTRICAL PERMIT , CONSTRUCTION25
PERMIT, OR OTHER TYPE OF PERMIT.26
(2) Automated residential solar permitting required.27
HB25-1096
-4- (a) (I) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2026, THE BOARD OF COUNTY1
COMMISSIONERS OF A COUNTY WITH A POPULATION OF MORE THAN FIVE2
THOUSAND RESIDENTS IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF THE COUNTY SHALL3
ADOPT AN ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION TO IMPLEMENT AN AUTOMATED4
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM THAT MUST HAVE THE5
ESTIMATED CAPABILITY TO PROCESS AT LEAST SEVENTY -FIVE PERCENT OF6
APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE COUNTY FOR RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL7
INSTALLATIONS AT EXISTING RESIDENCES .8
(II) T
HE PLATFORM IMPLEMENTED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION9
(2)(a)
SHALL BE USED FOR AT LEAST SEVENTY -FIVE PERCENT OF THE10
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED TO11
A COUNTY THAT:12
(A) W
ILL BE INSTALLED ON EXISTING RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS ;13
(B) H
AVE A MAXIMUM CAPACITY OF TWO HUNDRED AMPERES14
MAIN SERVICE DISCONNECT; AND15
(C) P
ROVIDE ELECTRICAL POWER TO A SINGLE -FAMILY OR16
TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.17
(III) T
HE AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM18
SHALL ALSO BE UTILIZED TO REVIEW APPLICATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL19
SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATIONS THAT UTILIZE A HOME BATTERY STORAGE20
SYSTEM, A MAIN PANEL UPGRADE , OR A MAIN BREAKER DERATE IN21
CONJUNCTION WITH THE RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION .22
(b) (I) A
COUNTY THAT IS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT AN23
AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM PURSUANT TO24
SUBSECTION (2)(a) OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT REQUIRE MANUAL REVIEW25
OF AN APPLICATION FOR A RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION ON26
AN EXISTING RESIDENCE AT ANY TIME DURING THE PERMITTING PROCESS27
HB25-1096
-5- IF THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE PLATFORM .1
(II) C
OUNTY STAFF MAY CONDUCT A MANUAL REVIEW OF2
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS RELATED TO A RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL3
INSTALLATION WHEN CONDUCTING AN INSPECTION OF THE RESIDENTIAL4
SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION.5
(c) A
COUNTY THAT IS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT AN AUTOMATED6
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION7
(2)(a)
OF THIS SECTION MAY SOLICIT INPUT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE8
FROM THE OFFICE FOR IMPLEMENTING AND USING THE PLATFORM .9
(d) A
COUNTY THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE A PERMIT FOR A10
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE11
REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION.12
(3) Reporting - rules. (a) A
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS13
THAT IS REQUIRED TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION TO14
IMPLEMENT AN AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM15
PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (2)(a)(I) OF THIS SECTION SHALL DIRECT THE16
COUNTY OFFICE RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PLATFORM TO17
NOTIFY THE OFFICE WITHIN SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE COUNTY 'S COMPLIANCE18
WITH SUBSECTION (2)(a)(I) OF THIS SECTION. THE NOTICE PROVIDED TO19
THE OFFICE MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION :20
(I) A
N ATTESTATION THAT THE ORDI NANCE OR RESOLUTION21
ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO IMPLEMENT THE22
AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM COMPLIES WITH23
THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION; AND24
(II) T
HE NAMES OR TYPES OF SOFTWARE OF THE AUTOMATED25
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM USED BY THE COUNTY .26
(b) A
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS THAT IS REQUIRED TO27
HB25-1096
-6- ADOPT AN ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION TO IMPLEMENT AN AUTOMATED1
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION2
(2)(a)(I)
OF THIS SECTION SHALL DIRECT THE COUNTY OFFICE RESPONSIBLE3
FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PLATFORM TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE4
OFFICE. THE ANNUAL REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE MUST INCLUDE5
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION :6
(I) T
HE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION7
PERMITS ISSUED USING THE AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING8
PLATFORM;9
(II) T
HE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION10
PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COUNTY THAT DID NOT USE THE AUTOMATED11
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM AND ANY RELEVANT12
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATIONS13
THAT REQUIRED MANUAL REVIEW FOR THE PERMITS ;14
(III) T
HE NAMES OR TYPES OF SOFTWARE OF THE AUTOMATED15
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM USED BY THE COUNTY IF THE16
COUNTY HAS CHANGED THE NAMES OR TYPES OF SOFTWARE USED BY THE17
COUNTY WITHIN THE PREVIOUS YEAR ; AND18
(IV) A
PLAN TO INCREASE THE USAGE OF THE AUTOMATED19
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM IF LESS THAN SEVENTY -FIVE20
PERCENT OF ELIGIBLE RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION PERMITS21
ISSUED BY THE COUNTY WERE ISSUED THROUGH THE PLATFORM .22
(c) (I) F
OR THE REPORTING REQUIRED BY SUBSECTIONS (3)(a) AND23
(3)(b)
OF THIS SECTION, THE OFFICE SHALL:24
(A) C
REATE A FORM TO BE USED BY COUNTY STAFF TO SUBMIT THE25
INFORMATION REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (3)(a) OF THIS SECTION;26
(B) C
REATE A FORM TO BE USED BY COUNTY STAFF TO SUBMIT THE27
HB25-1096
-7- INFORMATION REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (3)(b) OF THIS SECTION; AND1
(C) E
STABLISH, BY RULE, A DATE EACH YEAR BY WHICH A COUNTY2
SHALL SUBMIT THE REPORT REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (3)(b) OF THIS3
SECTION.4
(II) T
HE OFFICE SHALL REVIEW THE REPORTS SUBMITTED BY THE5
COUNTY PURSUANT TO SUBSECTIONS (3)(a) AND (3)(b) OF THIS SECTION6
AND MAY:7
(A) D
ETERMINE IF THE REPORTS ARE ACCURATE ;8
(B) M
AKE THE REPORTS AND THE OFFICE'S FINDINGS REGARDING9
THE REPORTS' ACCURACY PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ON THE OFFICE 'S PUBLIC10
WEBSITE; AND11
(C) T
AKE ACTIONS TO ENCOURAGE THE COUNTY 'S COMPLIANCE12
WITH SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION.13
(d) T
HIS SUBSECTION (3) IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1,14
2032.15
(4) Inspections. (a) O
N OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2026, THE BOARD OF16
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF A COUNTY THAT IS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT17
AN AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM PURSUANT TO18
SUBSECTION (2)(a) OF THIS SECTION SHALL ADOPT AN ORDINANCE OR19
RESOLUTION TO ALLOW REMOTE INSPECTIONS VIA RECORDED VIDEO OR20
PHOTOGRAPHY OF RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATIONS THAT HAVE21
RECEIVED A PERMIT OR PERMIT REVISION THROUGH THE PLATFORM . THE22
REMOTE INSPECTIONS MUST BE OFFERED AT NO GREATER COST TO THE23
PERMIT HOLDER AND MADE AVAILABLE WITH NO GREATER DELAY T HAN AN24
IN-PERSON INSPECTION.25
(b) A
COUNTY SHALL NOT REQUIRE MORE THAN ONE INSPECTION26
FOR A RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION THAT IS PERMITTED BY27
HB25-1096
-8- THE AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM UNLESS THE1
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION FAILED AN INITIAL INSPECTION .2
(5) Funding. A
COUNTY THAT IS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT AN3
AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM PURSUANT TO4
SUBSECTION (2)(a) OF THIS SECTION MAY APPLY FOR FUNDING FROM THE5
STREAMLINED SOLAR PERMITTING AND INSPECTION GRANT PROGRAM IN6
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 24-38.5-119.7
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 31-23-317 as8
follows:9
31-23-317. Automated residential solar permitting - municipal10
requirements - reporting - definitions - repeal. (1) Definitions. A
S11
USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :12
(a) "A
UTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM " OR13
"
PLATFORM" MEANS SOFTWARE, OR A COMBINATION OF SOFTWARE, THAT:14
(I) A
CCEPTS AND AUTOMATES THE REVIEW OF AN APPLICATION FOR15
A RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION ;16
(II) A
UTOMATICALLY PRODUCES MUNICIPAL CODE -COMPLIANT17
APPROVALS FOR A RESIDENTIAL SOLA R PANEL INSTALLATION THAT MEETS18
THE MUNICIPALITY'S PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS;19
(III) A
CCEPTS PAYMENT OF ANY APPLICABLE MUNICIPAL20
PERMITTING FEES; AND21
(IV) A
UTOMATICALLY ISSUES A PERMIT OR PERMIT REVISION FOR22
A RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION ONCE AN INDIVIDUAL HAS23
SUBMITTED APPROVED , CODE-COMPLIANT PLANS AND PAYS ANY24
APPLICABLE PERMITTING FEES RELATED TO THE RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL25
INSTALLATION.26
(b) "O
FFICE" MEANS THE COLORADO ENERGY OFFICE CREATED IN27
HB25-1096
-9- SECTION 24-38.5-101.1
(c) "P
ERMIT" MEANS A PERMIT ISSUED BY A MUNICIPALITY THAT2
IS REQUIRED FOR THE INSTALLATION OF SOLAR PANELS ON A RESIDENTIAL3
PROPERTY AND MAY INCLUDE AN ELECTRICAL PERMIT , CONSTRUCTION4
PERMIT, OR OTHER TYPE OF PERMIT.5
(2) Automated residential solar permitting required.6
(a) (I) O
N OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2026, THE GOVERNING BODY OF A7
MUNICIPALITY WITH A POPULATION OF MORE THAN FIVE T HOUSAND8
RESIDENTS SHALL ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO IMPLEMENT AN AUTOMATED9
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM THAT MUST HAVE THE10
ESTIMATED CAPABILITY TO PROCESS AT LEAST SEVENTY -FIVE PERCENT OF11
APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE MUNICIPALITY FOR RESIDENTIAL SOLAR12
PANEL INSTALLATIONS AT EXISTING RESIDENCES .13
(II) T
HE PLATFORM IMPLEMENTED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION14
(2)(a)
SHALL BE USED FOR AT LEAST SEVENTY -FIVE PERCENT OF THE15
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED TO16
A MUNICIPALITY THAT:17
(A) W
ILL BE INSTALLED ON EXISTING RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS ;18
(B) H
AVE A MAXIMUM CAPACITY OF TWO HUNDRED AMPERES19
MAIN SERVICE DISCONNECT; AND20
(C) P
ROVIDE ELECTRICAL POWER TO A SINGLE -FAMILY OR21
TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.22
(III) T
HE AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM23
SHALL ALSO BE UTILIZED TO REVIEW APPLICATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL24
SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATIONS THAT UTILIZE A HOME BATTERY STORAGE25
SYSTEM, A MAIN PANEL UPGRADE , OR A MAIN BREAKER DERATE IN26
CONJUNCTION WITH THE RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION .27
HB25-1096
-10- (b) (I) A MUNICIPALITY THAT IS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT AN1
AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM PURSUANT TO2
SUBSECTION (2)(a) OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT REQUIRE MANUAL REVIEW3
OF AN APPLICATION FOR A RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION ON4
AN EXISTING RESIDENCE AT ANY TIME DURING THE PERMITTING PROCESS5
IF THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE PLATFORM .6
(II) M
UNICIPAL STAFF MAY CONDUCT A MANUAL REVIEW OF7
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS RELATED TO A RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL8
INSTALLATION WHEN CONDUCTING AN INSPECTION OF THE RESIDENTIAL9
SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION.10
(c) A
MUNICIPALITY THAT IS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT AN11
AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM PURSUANT TO12
SUBSECTION (2)(a) OF THIS SECTION MAY SOLICIT INPUT AND TECHNICAL13
ASSISTANCE FROM THE OFFICE FOR IMPLEMENTING AND USING THE14
PLATFORM.15
(d) A
MUNICIPALITY THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE A PERMIT FOR A16
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE17
REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION.18
(3) Reporting - rules. (a) T
HE GOVERNING BODY OF A19
MUNICIPALITY THAT IS REQUIRED TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO IMPLEMENT20
AN AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM PURSUANT TO21
SUBSECTION (2)(a)(I) OF THIS SECTION SHALL DIRECT THE MUNICIPAL22
OFFICE RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PLATFORM TO NOTIFY THE23
OFFICE WITHIN SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE MUNICIPALITY'S COMPLIANCE WITH24
SUBSECTION (2)(a)(I) OF THIS SECTION. THE NOTICE PROVIDED TO THE25
OFFICE MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION :26
(I) A
N ATTESTATION THAT THE ORDINANCE ADOPTED BY THE27
HB25-1096
-11- GOVERNING BODY OF THE MUNICIPALITY TO IMPLEMENT THE AUTOMATED1
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM COMPLIES WITH THE2
REQUIREMENTS OF SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION; AND3
(II) T
HE NAMES OR TYPES OF SOFTWARE OF THE AUTOMATED4
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM USED BY THE MUNICIPALITY .5
(b) T
HE GOVERNING BODY OF A MUNICIPALITY THAT IS REQUIRED6
TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO IMPLEMENT AN AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL7
SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (2)(a)(I) OF THIS8
SECTION SHALL DIRECT THE MUNICIPAL OFFICE RESPONSIBLE FOR9
IMPLEMENTING THE PLATFORM TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE10
OFFICE. THE ANNUAL REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE MUST INCLUDE11
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION :12
(I) T
HE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION13
PERMITS ISSUED USING THE AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING14
PLATFORM;15
(II) T
HE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION16
PERMITS ISSUED BY THE MUNICIPALITY THAT DID NOT USE THE17
AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM AND ANY18
RELEVANT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL19
INSTALLATIONS THAT REQUIRED MANUAL REVIEW FOR THE PERMITS ;20
(III) T
HE NAMES OR TYPES OF SOFTWARE OF THE AUTOMATED21
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM USED BY THE MUNICIPALITY22
IF THE MUNICIPALITY HAS CHANGED THE NAMES OR TYPES OF SOFTWARE23
USED BY THE MUNICIPALITY WITHIN THE PREVIOUS YEAR ; AND24
(IV) A
PLAN TO INCREASE THE USAGE OF THE AUTOMATED25
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM IF LESS THAN SEVENTY -FIVE26
PERCENT OF ELIGIBLE RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION PERMITS27
HB25-1096
-12- ISSUED BY THE MUNICIPALITY WERE ISSUED THROUGH THE PLATFORM .1
(c) (I) F
OR THE REPORTING REQUIRED BY SUBSECTIONS (3)(a) AND2
(3)(b)
OF THIS SECTION, THE OFFICE SHALL:3
(A) C
REATE A FORM TO BE USED BY MUNICIPAL STAFF TO SUBMIT4
THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (3)(a) OF THIS SECTION;5
(B) C
REATE A FORM TO BE USED BY MUNICIPAL STAFF TO SUBMIT6
THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (3)(b) OF THIS SECTION; AND7
(C) E
STABLISH, BY RULE, A DATE EACH YEAR BY WHICH A8
MUNICIPALITY SHALL SUBMIT THE REPORT REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION9
(3)(b)
OF THIS SECTION.10
(II) T
HE OFFICE SHALL REVIEW THE REPORTS SUBMITTED BY THE11
MUNICIPALITY PURSUANT TO SUBSECTIONS (3)(a) AND (3)(b) OF THIS12
SECTION AND MAY:13
(A) D
ETERMINE IF THE REPORTS ARE ACCURATE ;14
(B) M
AKE THE REPORTS AND THE OFFICE'S FINDINGS REGARDING15
THE REPORTS' ACCURACY PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ON THE OFFICE 'S PUBLIC16
WEBSITE; AND17
(C) T
AKE ACTIONS TO ENCOURAGE THE MUNICIPALITY 'S18
COMPLIANCE WITH SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION.19
(d) T
HIS SUBSECTION (3) IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1,20
2032.21
(4) Inspections. (a) O
N OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2026, THE GOVERNING22
BODY OF A MUNICIPALITY THAT IS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT AN23
AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM PURSUANT TO24
SUBSECTION (2)(a) OF THIS SECTION SHALL ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO25
ALLOW REMOTE INSPECTIONS VIA RECORDED VIDEO OR PHOTOGRAPHY OF26
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATIONS THAT HAVE RECEIVED A27
HB25-1096
-13- PERMIT OR PERMIT REVISION THROUGH THE PLATFORM . THE REMOTE1
INSPECTIONS MUST BE OFFERED AT NO GREATER COST TO THE PERMIT2
HOLDER AND MADE AVAILABLE WITH NO GREATER DELAY THAN AN3
IN-PERSON INSPECTION.4
(b) A
MUNICIPALITY SHALL NOT REQUIRE MORE THAN ONE5
INSPECTION FOR A RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION THAT IS6
PERMITTED BY THE AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING7
PLATFORM UNLESS THE RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION FAILED8
AN INITIAL INSPECTION.9
(5) Funding. A
MUNICIPALITY THAT IS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT10
AN AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM PURSUANT TO11
SUBSECTION (2)(a) OF THIS SECTION MAY APPLY FOR FUNDING FROM THE12
STREAMLINED SOLAR PERMITTING AND INSPECTION GRANT PROGRAM IN13
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 24-38.5-119.14
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-115-107, add (5)15
as follows:16
12-115-107. Board powers and duties - electrical permit for17
residential solar panel installations - rules - definitions - repeal.18
(5) Automated residential solar permitting program platform.19
(a) Rules. (I) O
N OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2026, THE BOARD SHALL ADOPT20
RULES THAT REQUIRE THAT THE BOARD IMPLEMENT AN AUTOMATED21
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM TO AUTOMATICALLY ISSUE22
PERMITS FOR ANY PERMIT ISSUED UNDER THIS ARTICLE 115 RELATED TO23
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATIONS .24
(II) T
HE PLATFORM IMPLEMENTED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION25
(5)(a)
SHALL BE USED FOR AT LEAST SEVENTY -FIVE PERCENT OF THE26
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED TO27
HB25-1096
-14- THE BOARD THAT:1
(A) W
ILL BE INSTALLED ON EXISTING RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS ;2
(B) H
AVE A MAXIMUM CAPACITY OF TWO HUNDRED AMPERES3
MAIN SERVICE DISCONNECT; AND4
(C) P
ROVIDE ELECTRICAL POWER TO A SINGLE -FAMILY OR5
TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.6
(III) T
HE AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM7
SHALL ALSO BE UTILIZED TO REVIEW APPLICATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL8
SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATIONS THAT UTILIZE A HOME BATTERY STORAGE9
SYSTEM, A MAIN PANEL UPGRADE , OR A MAIN BREAKER DERATE IN10
CONJUNCTION WITH THE RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION .11
(b) (I) T
HE BOARD SHALL NOT REQUIRE MANUAL REVIEW OF AN12
APPLICATION FOR A RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION ON AN13
EXISTING RESIDENCE AT ANY TIME DURING THE PERMITTING PROCESS IF14
THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL15
SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM .16
(II) T
HE BOARD MAY CONDUCT A MANUAL REVIEW OF17
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS RELATED TO A RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL18
INSTALLATION WHEN CONDUCTING AN INSPECTION OF THE RESIDENTIAL19
SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION.20
(c) Reporting - rules. (I) T
HE BOARD SHALL NOTIFY THE OFFICE21
WITHIN SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE BOARD ADOPTS THE RULES REQUIRED BY22
SUBSECTION (5)(a) OF THIS SECTION. THE NOTICE PROVIDED TO THE OFFICE23
MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION :24
(A) A
N ATTESTATION THAT THE RULES ADOPTED BY THE BOARD TO25
IMPLEMENT THE AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM26
COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBSECTION (5)(a) OF THIS SECTION;27
HB25-1096
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(B) T
HE NAMES OR TYPES OF SOFTWARE OF THE AUTOMATED2
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM USED BY THE BOARD .3
(II) T
HE BOARD SHALL SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE OFFICE4
THAT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION :5
(A) T
HE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION6
PERMITS ISSUED USING THE AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING7
PLATFORM;8
(B) T
HE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION9
PERMITS ISSUED BY THE BOARD THAT DID NOT USE THE AUTOMATED10
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM AND ANY RELEVANT11
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATIONS12
THAT REQUIRED MANUAL REVIEW FOR THE PERMITS ;13
(C) T
HE NAMES OR TYPES OF SOFTWARE OF THE AUTOMATED14
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM USED BY THE BOARD IF THE15
BOARD HAS CHANGED THE NAMES OR TYPES OF SOFTWARE USED BY THE16
BOARD WITHIN THE PREVIOUS YEAR ; AND17
(D) A
PLAN TO INCREASE THE USAGE OF THE AUTOMATED18
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM IF LESS THAN SEVENTY -FIVE19
PERCENT OF ELIGIBLE RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION PERMITS20
ISSUED BY THE BOARD WERE ISSUED THROUGH THE PLATFORM .21
(III) F
OR THE REPORTING REQUIRED BY SUBSECTIONS (5)(c)(I) AND22
(5)(c)(II)
OF THIS SECTION, THE OFFICE SHALL:23
(A) C
REATE A FORM TO BE USED BY THE BOARD TO SUBMIT THE24
INFORMATION REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (5)(c)(I) OF THIS SECTION;25
(B) C
REATE A FORM TO BE USED BY THE BOARD TO SUBMIT THE26
INFORMATION REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (5)(c)(II) OF THIS SECTION; AND27
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BOARD SHALL SUBMIT THE REPORT REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (5)(c)(II) OF2
THIS SECTION.3
(IV) T
HIS SUBSECTION (5)(c) IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER4
1,
2032.5
(d) Rules - inspections. (I) O
N OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2026, THE6
BOARD SHALL ADOPT RULES TO PERMIT REMOTE INSPECTIONS VIA7
RECORDED VIDEO OR PHOTOGRAPHY OF RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL8
INSTALLATIONS THAT HAVE RECEIVED A PERMIT OR PERMIT REVISION9
THROUGH THE AUTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM .10
T
HE REMOTE INSPECTIONS MUST BE OFFERED AT NO GREATER COST TO THE11
PERMIT HOLDER AND MADE AVAILABLE WITH NO GREATER DELAY T HAN AN12
IN-PERSON INSPECTION.13
(II) T
HE BOARD SHALL NOT REQUIRE MORE THAN ONE INSPECTION14
FOR A RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION THAT IS PERMITTED BY15
THE AUTOMATED SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM UNLESS THE RESIDENTIAL16
SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION FAILED AN INITIAL INSPECTION .17
(e) Definitions. A
S USED IN THIS SUBSECTION (5), UNLESS THE18
CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :19
(I) "A
UTOMATED RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM " OR20
"
PLATFORM" MEANS SOFTWARE, OR A COMBINATION OF SOFTWARE, THAT:21
(A) A
CCEPTS AND AUTOMATES THE REVIEW OF AN APPLICATION22
FOR A RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION ;23
(B) A
CCEPTS PAYMENT OF ANY APPLICABLE PERMITTING FEES AS24
DETERMINED BY THE BOARD ; AND25
(C) A
UTOMATICALLY ISSUES A PERMIT OR PERMIT REVISION FOR26
A RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION ONCE AN INDIVIDUAL HAS27
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-17- SUBMITTED APPROVED PLANS AND PAYS ANY APPLICABLE PERMITTING1
FEES RELATED TO THE RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION .2
(II) "O
FFICE" MEANS THE COLORADO ENERGY OFFICE CREATED IN3
SECTION 24-38.5-101.4
(III) "P
ERMIT" MEANS AN ELECTRICAL PERMIT ISSUED UNDER THIS5
ARTICLE 115.6
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-115-120, add (12)7
as follows:8
12-115-120. Inspection - electrical permits - application -9
standard - definition. (12) I
F AN INSPECTION IS REQUIRED TO ISSUE A10
PERMIT FOR A RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION UNDER THIS11
ARTICLE 115, THE INSPECTION MUST BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH12
SECTION 12-115-107 (5)(d).13
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-38.5-119, add14
(6)(c) as follows:15
24-38.5-119. Streamlined solar permitting and inspection16
grant program - creation - eligibility - fund created - gifts, grants, or17
donations - reporting - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal.18
(6) (c) (I) I
N ADDITION TO THE REPORTING REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION19
(6)(a)
OF THIS SECTION, THE OFFICE SHALL PREPARE A REPORT THAT20
ANALYZES THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF REQUIRING MUNICIPALITIES ,21
COUNTIES, AND APPROPRIATE STATE AGENCIES TO ADOPT ORDINANCES ,22
RESOLUTIONS, OR RULES RELATED TO THE AUTOMATION OF PERMITTING23
FOR RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIFICATION PROJECTS .24
(II) T
HE ELECTRIFICATION PROJECTS CONSIDERED BY THE REPORT25
MAY INCLUDE:26
(A) E
LECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS AND27
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(B) S
OLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATIONS ;2
(C) H
EAT PUMP WATER HEATERS;3
(D) H
EAT PUMP SPACE HEATERS; AND4
(E) A
NY OTHER RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT AS5
DETERMINED BY THE OFFICE.6
(III) T
HE REPORT MUST EVALUATE RESOURCES , TECHNOLOGY, AND7
SOFTWARE THAT IS AVAILABLE OR COULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO8
AUTOMATE PERMITTING FOR RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIFICATION PROJECTS .9
(IV) T
HE OFFICE SHALL INCLUDE ANY POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS10
RELATED TO AUTOMATING OR STREAMLINING PERMITTING FOR11
RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIFICATION PROJECTS IN THE REPORT .12
(V) T
HE OFFICE SHALL PREPARE AND SUBMIT THE REPORT TO THE13
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE ,14
THE SENATE TRANSPORTATION AND ENERGY COMMITTEE , AND THE JOINT15
BUDGET COMMITTEE, OR THEIR SUCCESSOR COMMITTEES, BY JULY 1, 2026.16
(VI) T
HIS SUBSECTION (6)(c) IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1,17
2028.18
SECTION 7. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act19
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the20
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except21
that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V22
of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this23
act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take24
effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in25
November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the26
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.27
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