January 14, 2026
DENVER – Legislation to facilitate responsible end-of-life management for electric vehicle (EV) batteries was introduced earlier today as Colorado’s 75th legislative session began. Senate Bill 26-003, End-of-Life Management for Electric Vehicle Batteries, is sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, Senator Katie Wallace, and Representatives Kyle Brown and Rebekah Stewart and is led by the Union of Concerned Scientists and Western Resource Advocates.
Under this policy, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Hazardous Waste Division would regulate end-of-life management for EV batteries, promoting the reuse and recycling of economically viable batteries via the free market. SB 26-003 assigns EV auto manufacturers as the responsible party for batteries that are unwanted, ensuring all batteries are safely recycled and not improperly disposed of or stored.
Without this legislation, there is a high risk of unwanted batteries becoming a safety risk and a financial burden to taxpayers.
This is an opportunity to keep Colorado on the leaderboard in the electric vehicle transition and unlock the full economic and environmental potential of these batteries. EV retirements will inevitably increase in the near future, so it is essential that we have a policy in place to ensure safe handling of these batteries in a manner that will reduce costs for Coloradans and create a more sustainable EV industry.
In October 2025, EVs made up 27.3% of new vehicle sales and total registrations surpassed 210,000 in Colorado. As EV retirements ramp up, the state needs a policy framework for unwanted batteries to ensure they are properly and safely reused, repurposed, and eventually recycled.
“Colorado is a national leader in electric vehicle adoption. Not only are EVs reducing harmful emissions, they’re saving Coloradans’ money in the short- and long-term,” said Senate Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “Including EV batteries in Colorado’s recycling stewardship program just makes sense. It’s critical that as we embrace new solutions and technologies, we think forward about end-of-life and long term environmental and fiscal impacts. This program will support our continued leadership in the EV space and help build a circular economy.”
“To build a sustainable battery economy, it is crucial to have policy that requires EV batteries to be first reused and repurposed and then recycled in ways that recover the highest amount of minerals,” said Jessica Dunn, Ph.D., Union of Concerned Scientists. “Without strong standards for recycling, we risk losing valuable materials, perpetuating unsafe practices and undermining the economic and environmental benefits of electrification. This legislation would ensure batteries are managed responsibly and reduce the need for new mining.”
The proposed legislation ensures that the most qualified party is responsible for collecting and properly managing these batteries – both reducing the risk of costly fire incidents and ensuring that these valuable resources can be reused, repurposed or recycled, saving on the expense and impact required to mine for new critical minerals.
“Improving electric vehicle battery recycling standards helps reach our state’s climate goals, moves us toward a circular economy, and ensures the vehicles being used to address climate change are sustainable every step of the way,” said Senator Katie Wallace, D-Longmont. “Using this new stewardship program for EVs, we can create new jobs to recycle crucial and finite materials that are usually mined overseas, meeting demand while efficiently keeping our resources in Colorado.”
SB 26-003 has been referred to the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee.
