Since the last publication deadline of Colorado Nurse, National Nurses Week, May 6-12, 2026, was marked in Colorado with a Proclamation from Governor Jared Polis and recognition in both houses of the legislature. Senator C. Kipp, with Senator K. Mullica, RN, by her side, read a statement in the Senate early in the week.
In lieu of the regular online GAPP meeting for May, the Committee opted to meet in person at the Capitol on Thursday May 7th. Members were the guests of Representative E. Hamrick and were seated on the main floor of the Chamber and recognized by House of Representatives members. Representative Hamrick read the statement acknowledging nurses and Nurses Week. She then ensured that every nurse present was able to meet their own representative in person. In addition, she gave an instructive overview of the anticipated day’s business in the House that included the pathway taken by bills in the Colorado Legislature. The day’s docket consisted of second and third readings of bills, several of which GAPP had been following. As business got underway, the nurses were gratified to be consulted in real time on a point for language clarification in a pending bill by Representative A. Paschal (District 18 Colorado Springs). Nurses make a difference!
GAPP Recording Officer Amy Diamond, APRN, was present and coupled the House visit with testimony on two Senate bills in committee on the day.
Lunch at the offices of CNA and the evening lighting of the Capitol, the City and County Building, and the Clock Tower in honor of nurses completed the day.
This was a rare opportunity for GAPP and other CNA members to meet in person outside of the annual Conference (happening on Thursday September 24th this year).
The CNA Executive Team rounded out this Session with a Legislative Debrief Town Hall on May 22nd. GAPP members and CNA members were joined by other interested nurses as the contract lobbyist team, Capitol Success, presented a roundup of 2026 legislation and an overview of the State Budget’s “Big Bill.” Based on the work and recommendations of GAPP, CNA took a position on 40 bills; 19 of the 23 that were supported were passed by the Legislature. Executive Director Mark Longshore presented a synopsis of testimony provided by CNA in support or opposition of 2026 bills. Following the detailed report, anticipated elements of the 2027 Legislative Session, under the leadership of Colorado’s next Governor, were announced. The Session will commence on January 11, 2027, and is likely to focus on AI, Medicaid restructuring, and of course the Sunset of the Nurse Practice Act on September 1, 2027.
GAPP will continue to rely on research provided by voting members and others to inform the Committee on bills for discussion in the 2027 Session.
CNA will continue to follow the progress of the Colorado Healthcare Payment System Analysis, or HPSA (SB25-045) throughout the remainder of this calendar year and collaborate on the Nurse Practice Act, which will be introduced in the 2027 Legislative Session.
2026 Bills can be found on the “Bill Tracker” link under the Advocacy tab on the CNA homepage (www.coloradonurses.org ). This list of priority bills cites the position taken by CNA (“Support, Oppose, or Monitor”) and how the bills finished in the 2026 Legislative Session.
GAPP, an official committee of CNA, will meet exclusively online the second Wednesday of each month through December, from 6:15 to 8 PM. Access the registration details and more information about GAPP by going to: https://www.coloradonurses.org/gapp/.
