Co state senator - cathy kipp

CO State Senator - Cathy Kipp

Party: Democrat | District: Senate District 14 (Fort Collins)

President Pro Tempore: In February 2026, Senate Democrats elected Kipp as President Pro Tempore, replacing Sen. Dafna Michaelson Jenet who resigned.
Transportation bill: Kipp introduced transportation-related legislation that was voted down in the Senate Transportation and Energy committee. She stated she intends to reintroduce it next session.
Tax code decoupling: Kipp is working on legislation to de-couple Colorado's tax code from four business tax breaks created or expanded by the federal H.R. 1 bill, including write-offs and deductions for interest expenses on debt for multinational corporations.
2026 legislative session: Fort Collins legislators including Kipp broke down top priorities for the 2026 General Assembly in February, and the legislature is now in its final days with hundreds of bills still unresolved as of early May.

Data center bill (SB 26-102) fails: Kipp's major data center regulation bill — which would have required data centers to source up to 100% of their electricity from renewables and imposed utility and community protections — failed in the final days of the 2026 legislative session (session ended May 13). In a last-ditch effort Kipp rewrote the bill to add tax incentives for data centers, but it still could not win enough votes. She requested the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee vote to postpone it indefinitely; the committee did so unanimously. Kipp stated the effort will return next session.

Post-session town hall: Co-hosted a legislative wrap-up event at the Fort Collins Old Town Library (3–4:30 p.m.) with Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, Sen. Janice Marchman, Rep. Yara Zokaie, and Rep. Lesley Smith, recapping the 2026 session, which adjourned May 13.

SB 107 (CORA reform) killed: Kipp's Colorado Open Records Act reform bill — co-sponsored with Sen. Janice Rich — was shot down in committee amid concerns it could prevent transparency and infringe on citizens' right to information. This is Kipp's second consecutive year attempting CORA reform; a similar bill in 2025 was vetoed by Gov. Polis.
HB 1222 (tax decoupling) also killed: Kipp co-sponsored legislation to decouple Colorado's income tax code from certain federal tax provisions in the reconciliation bill. She asked the Senate Finance Committee to kill it, stating: "It is clear that this bill will be vetoed unless we agree to reducing the state income tax, something that I believe is irresponsible."
Session reflection: With three of her major bills dead — SB 102 (data centers), SB 107 (CORA), and HB 1222 (tax code) — Kipp reflected: "This was a rough session. A lot of bills died."

Balcony solar law signed: Kipp's bipartisan legislation (co-led with Rep. Matt Ball) making plug-in balcony solar devices easier and cheaper for renters and apartment dwellers was signed into law. The bill requires utilities to accept meter-collar solar connections — a win for housing affordability and clean energy access for Coloradans who cannot install traditional rooftop solar.
Post-session interim: Session adjourned May 13. No current active legislation. Kipp has signaled intent to reintroduce data center regulation (SB 102) and CORA reform (SB 107) in the next session. Most 2026 legislation takes effect August 12, 2026.

2026 session postmortem: Kipp described the 2026 legislative session as "a rough session" where "a lot of bills died" — including in a Democratic supermajority. Two notable losses:
- SB 102 (data center regulation): Kipp's bill requiring large-load data centers to secure 100% renewable energy matching by 2031 and cover infrastructure costs died after industry groups couldn't reach consensus. Kipp has signaled intent to reintroduce in the next session.
- HB 1222 (income tax decoupling): Co-sponsored with Reps. Garcia and McCormick to decouple Colorado's income tax code from certain federal provisions. Kipp asked the Senate Finance Committee to kill the bill herself due to veto concerns from the governor's office.
Next session: Most 2026 legislation (including balcony solar and HB 1430) takes effect August 12, 2026. Legislative interim committees are underway.

2026 Democratic Primary Ballot Guide published: Kipp published her voter guide for contested races on the Democratic primary ballot in Fort Collins. The guide includes her analysis and links to debates and issue guides for the contested primaries: Governor (Bennet vs. Weiser), U.S. Senate (Hickenlooper vs. Gonzales), and CO-2 (Neguse vs. Mason). She does not appear to have made explicit endorsements but provides resources for voters to evaluate candidates. Ballots due 7 PM June 30 — return by mail (postmark by June 22) or any drop box.

Gun law (HB26-1126) facing federal lawsuit: Kipp co-sponsored HB26-1126, the firearm purchase record requirements bill signed by Governor Polis on June 2. The law expands record-keeping to all firearms transactions, closes a loophole that allowed some dealers to characterize sales as "transfers" to avoid permitting requirements, and strengthens after-hours security standards for gun stores. On June 15, the Colorado State Shooting Association (CSSA) filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block enforcement. CSSA's attorney argues the law violates the Fourth Amendment because it allows a broad array of government employees to access purchase records containing customer information "without a warrant, without probable cause, without giving any reason." Kipp described the bill as "a targeted, practical regulatory update." A federal court will now decide whether to issue an injunction while the case proceeds.