Colorado Passes EPR Law for EV Batteries

On June 3, 2026, Colorado passed an extended producer responsibility (EPR) law for propulsion batteries, which are batteries supplying power to propel electric and hybrid vehicles. The law, SB26-003, amends Colorado’s Battery Stewardship Act, which was passed in 2025, and is notable for setting recycling rates that must be reached by 2031 and 2035 for the “critical minerals” cobalt, nickel, and lithium. 

Under SB 26-003, obligations for Propulsion Battery Providers, which include entities that distribute or sell propulsion batteries or vehicles containing propulsion batteries in or into Colorado, include the following:

• July 1, 2027: Register with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (Department)
• January 2, 2029: Submit an Education and Outreach Plan to the Department
• July 1, 2029: Prohibition on distribution and sale of propulsion batteries unless
  • The Propulsion Battery Provider has submitted an Education and Outreach Plan to the Department
  • The Propulsion Battery Provider labels the propulsion battery with specified information, including the name of the responsible Propulsion Battery Provider and the chemistry of the propulsion battery
• June 1, 2030: Submit initial annual report for the prior calendar year on management of collected propulsion batteries

Colorado SB26-003 can be found here.