HB 26-1336, legislation NACDS supported that expands access to pharmacy healthcare services and authorizes payment for these services, was sent to Gov. Jared Polis (D) to sign into law. The bill enables children 12 years of age and under to receive test-and-treat services directly from pharmacies. It also allows pharmacy technicians, under pharmacist supervision, to perform final product verification and other technical, non-discretionary tasks.

Finally in Colorado, the General Assembly will adjourn sine die on May 13

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

HB26-1336, legislation that expands access to pharmacy healthcare services and authorizes payment for these services for both Medicaid and commercial patients, passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and awaits a final vote by the Senate. The bill enables children 12 years of age and under to receive test-and-treat services directly from pharmacies. It also allows pharmacy technicians, under pharmacist supervision, to perform final product verification and other technical, non-discretionary tasks.  

Also in Colorado, the Board of Pharmacy released Volume 18, Winter 2026 and Volume 19, Spring 2026 of its newsletter providing updates on regulatory developments and Board activities. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

HB26-1336, a bill designed to expand access to pharmacy healthcare services for both Medicaid and commercial patients, passed the House Health and Human Services Committee on March 31, and referred to the House floor. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

NACDS testified in support of HB26-1336, a bill designed to expand access to pharmacy healthcare services for both Medicaid and commercial patients, at a House Health and Human Services Committee hearing on March 31. The bill was amended to allow children 5 years of age and older to receive test-and-treat services directly from pharmacies. Additionally, it permits pharmacy technicians, under pharmacist supervision, to perform final product verification and other technical, non-discretionary tasks.

Also in Colorado, SB26-032, a bill designed to expand access to pharmacy vaccine services by increasing pharmacists' authority to prescribe and administer vaccines and by providing liability protections for pharmacists, was signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis (D) on March 27. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

SB26-032, a bill designed to expand access to pharmacy vaccine services by increasing pharmacists' authority to prescribe and administer vaccines and by providing liability protections for pharmacists, passed both legislative chambers and was sent to Gov. Jared Polis (D) to sign into law. 

Also in Colorado, after months of stakeholder negotiations, HB 26-1336, the Increase Access to Pharmacy Services bill that NACDS supports, was filed last week. The bill would strengthen coverage requirements for the clinical services pharmacists provide within their scope of practice and expand pharmacy technicians' technical and nondiscretionary tasks that do not require a pharmacist's expertise and professional judgement. The bill also includes provisions that expand pharmacists' scope of practice to provide test & treat services for families with children 12 years of age and younger. A hearing is scheduled in the House Health Care and Health Insurance Committee on March 31. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

SB032 is legislation supported by NACDS and our in-state pharmacy partners that strengthens access to pharmacy vaccine services and codifies Board of Pharmacy rules regarding pharmacists’ authority to prescribe and administer vaccines. The bill is currently pending in the House Chamber on Second Reading. It also provides liability protections for pharmacists and authorizes the Department of Public Health and Environment to consider vaccines adopted by the Board of Health through rulemaking, as well as recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and other similar entities.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The House Health and Human Services Committee held a hearing this week on SB 26-032, legislation that passed the Senate earlier this month. The bill strengthens access to pharmacy vaccine services and codifies Board of Pharmacy rules regarding pharmacists’ authority to prescribe and administer vaccines. NACDS submitted a statement supporting the bill. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Legislature will convene on January 14 and adjourn on or before May 13.

Also in Colorado, the Attorney General’s Office and the Colorado Opioid Abatement Council (COAC) announced up to $23 million in new statewide opioid abatement funding available through grant opportunities. Round 4 Infrastructure Funding Opportunity prioritizes capital or operational investments in rural, underserved or disproportionately impacted communities, and encourages collaborative or multi-organization proposals.

Also in Colorado, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) and Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) are currently developing a Prospective Payment System (PPS) Guardrails Plan and seeking feedback from our partners. PPS is a flexible, advanced reimbursement model tying payment to daily encounters instead of to individual services. It is provider-specific and based on each provider’s unique cost structure, designed to cover a safety net provider’s actual cost of services. The Guardrails Plan will detail the structure of the PPS payment, financial and data reporting requirements and quality requirements. It will also explain the monitoring and oversight processes, and potential impacts of noncompliance. The first stakeholder session is scheduled for January 23 from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon. Please register in advance in Zoom. Contact hcpf_bhbenefits@state.co.us with any questions.

Finally in Colorado, the Board of Pharmacy voted unanimously to make permanent rules regarding pharmacists’ authority to provide immunizations. The emergency rule changes from September 5, 2025, delink pharmacists’ immunizations authority from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, and grant authority for pharmacists to independently prescribe any vaccine under their own license/NPI (National Provider Identifier), and got rid of the need for a physician authorization protocol. These rules were sent to the Secretary of State to be published in the Colorado Register and take effect no later than January 14.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.