SB26-076 Heads to the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee: Hearing set for Wednesday, March 25

The momentum behind the licensure modernization bill keeps building, and we couldn't be more energized about what's ahead.

Senate Bill 26-076, which would create more flexible pathways to CPA licensure in Colorado, is scheduled for a hearing before the Colorado State House of Representatives Business Affairs & Labor Committee this coming Wednesday, March 25. COCPA has been working closely with stakeholders to build support for this legislation, and the bill's unanimous Senate committee vote and full Senate passage speak for themselves.

The bill cleared the Senate Business, Labor & Technology Committee back in February with a unanimous vote — a show of support that reflects just how compelling the case for change is. The bill then passed the full Senate and is now making its way through the House, where we anticipate strong support as well.

Why This Bill Matters

Colorado's accounting profession is facing a genuine workforce challenge: the CPA pipeline is under pressure at both ends, with retirements outpacing new licensees and firms being forced to turn away clients. SB26-076 addresses this directly, not by lowering the bar, but by creating three flexible pathways to licensure that maintain full professional rigor, including passage of the Uniform CPA Exam, ethics training, and verified experience. The bill also improves interstate CPA mobility, aligning Colorado with 25+ states that have already modernized their requirements.

For the full background on SB26-076, check out our earlier posts: A Big Week for COCPA Advocacy (January 30) and CPA Licensure Modernization Bill Wins Unanimous Committee Support (February 16).

What Comes Next

COCPA has been actively engaged throughout this legislative session, working with bill sponsors and legislators on both sides of the aisle to make the case for modernization. We're looking forward to seeing those conversations pay off at the House committee hearing on March 25.

Should SB26-076 pass the Business Affairs & Labor Committee with the strong support we anticipate, it will be referred to the full House chamber for its second and third readings, putting it within reach of heading to the Governor's desk.

We'll be tracking every milestone on our Licensure Pathways page — bookmark it for the latest updates, and for implementation information once the bill is signed into law.

The accounting profession has done the hard work of building consensus around a reform that is good for aspiring CPAs, good for Colorado firms, and good for the businesses and communities that depend on trusted financial expertise.

Now is the time to turn that consensus into action and deliver meaningful change for the future of the profession.