Colorado committee advances bill requiring diaper‑changing stations in many public restrooms after tweaks for state and small businesses

Representatives Story and Jackson urged the committee to approve House Bill 11‑30, which would require private buildings with public restrooms — such as retail stores, theaters and fitness centers — to provide at least one diaper‑changing station on every floor that includes a public restroom. Representative Story said the intent is "to ensure an accessible option for all genders" and to prevent caregivers from having to change infants on restroom floors or in vehicles.

Sponsors and witnesses debated costs, exemptions and implementation. Representative Story told the committee the pooled fiscal estimate for state buildings was about $2.1 million when departments aggregated assumptions about installing stations across every state facility; to avoid that fiscal note the sponsors proposed and won an amendment (L2) exempting state buildings from the current bill so agencies could continue conversations about practical requirements. The State Architect testified that secure installation could cost an estimated $900–$1,200 per unit in some state buildings because of required wall reinforcement and repair.

Committee members questioned whether the bill would force changes to historic or space‑constrained restrooms, whether bars or 21+ venues should be carved out, and how enforcement would work. Sponsors said the bill does not create an enforcement mechanism because administering audits would require funding not currently available; they described the measure as seeking a standardized practice rather than immediate mandatory audits.

Public testimony included a parent, Sarah Lewin Arrendale, who said she once had to change her baby in a parking lot and urged the committee to adopt the bill: "If you're not comfortable touching the bottom of a restroom floor with both hands, then I urge you to say yes to this bill." Stacia Foreman of the Colorado Apartment Association raised concerns about retrofit feasibility for older multifamily properties; she urged lawmakers to consider structural constraints and costs for older, smaller landlords.

Two amendments were adopted in committee. L2 removed state buildings from the bill to reduce the immediate fiscal exposure; L004 created a carve‑out for the smallest businesses (the committee adopted wording that will be further refined before second reading). After debate the committee voted to advance HB 11‑30 as amended to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation; the transcript records a committee vote of 7–4.

Sponsors said they will continue to negotiate implementation details before second reading, including possible exemptions for spaces that do not admit children and a practical compliance timetable.