Dec

Looking Ahead: 2026 Colorado Legislative Session

EMS is an Essential Service, Payment for Treatment in Place

EMSAC is hard at work preparing for the 2026 legislative session. Our ambitious legislative agenda includes finally declaring EMS as an essential service and creating funding mechanisms for treatment in place and transportation to alternative destinations.

Our focus is on two bills, the first sponsored by Rep. Dusty Johnson and co-sponsored by Rep. Meghan Lukens, Sen. Mark Baisley, and Sen. Dylan Roberts. It will declare emergency medical services an essential governmental service in Colorado and create civil liability protections for EMTs and paramedics.

The second bill, sponsored by Rep. Lisa Feret and Rep. Katie Stewart, will provide for payment of EMS services where the patient is not transported to the hospital, enabling transportation of a patient to destinations other than emergency departments (such as urgent care and behavioral health centers), and expand funding for telehealth services. The bill aims to save people money on healthcare by providing the right care in the right places and preventing unnecessary strain on hospital emergency departments.

The EMSAC advocacy team is proud to partner with our legislative champions to ensure that EMS across the state is supported and resourced to deliver on our life-saving missions. Of course, we will engage in discussions and advocacy on any other bills that arise that have an effect on EMS operations or the professionals practicing in emergency medical services.