The clock is ticking on Colorado HB 21‑1110 compliance. As of July 1, 2025, Colorado’s grace period for meeting statewide digital accessibility standards will officially expire. This means that state and local government entities—as well as their vendors—must meet the requirements laid out under House Bill 21-1110 and its recent updates. The goal is simple but powerful: make digital services accessible to all Coloradans, regardless of ability.

If you’re part of a government agency, educational institution, or a vendor doing business with the public sector, this policy directly affects you. But compliance doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right approach, it can become a meaningful step toward building a more inclusive, equitable digital future—and strengthening public trust along the way.

Understanding Colorado’s HB 21‑1110

Signed into law in 2021, Colorado HB 21‑1110 was a landmark step in improving digital accessibility across the state. It requires that all digital tools—websites, applications, documents, and software—used by public entities follow WCAG 2.1 AA standards. These are the internationally recognized rules that make web content usable by people with disabilities, including those who rely on screen readers or keyboard navigation.

The law also requires each covered organization to submit a digital accessibility plan to Colorado’s Office of Information Technology (OIT). This plan outlines how they will reach and maintain compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA.

In short: HB 21‑1110 isn’t just a recommendation—it’s a mandate. And every agency and vendor must take it seriously.

Key Compliance Milestones and Updates

Let’s break down the timeline for Colorado HB 21‑1110 compliance so far:

• 2022: Agencies were required to submit their digital accessibility plans to the OIT.
• 2024: This was the original deadline for achieving full compliance.
• 2025: Thanks to HB 24-1454, a grace period was granted—but that window closes on July 1, 2025.

However, this extension isn’t automatic. To qualify, agencies must:

• Submit quarterly progress reports to the OIT.
• Implement a structured framework to fix accessibility issues.

This isn’t about pausing efforts—it’s about staying on track and proving forward motion.

Enhanced Enforcement Measures: SB 23‑244

To ensure that Colorado HB 21‑1110 compliance has teeth, Senate Bill 23‑244 was passed to add stronger enforcement.

This companion bill:

• Introduces clear financial penalties for violations.
• Grants the OIT the authority to align Colorado’s accessibility standards with future WCAG updates.
• Provides extended funding to support these efforts through the 2025–2026 fiscal year.

SB 23-244 sends a clear message: this isn’t a one-time requirement. It’s an evolving responsibility with real consequences for those who fall behind.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failing to meet the standards of Colorado HB 21‑1110 compliance doesn’t just risk public frustration—it can have serious financial and legal consequences.

• Penalties can reach $3,500 per violation, per affected individual.
• Agencies may face lawsuits for discrimination under state law.
• Vendors risk losing contracts or being disqualified from future bidding opportunities if their digital tools and platforms fail to meet standards.

Inaction carries real cost—financially, reputationally, and ethically.

Vendor Responsibilities and Opportunities

If you provide technology or software services to Colorado agencies, you are part of this conversation. Colorado HB 21‑1110 compliance includes vendor-supplied tools, platforms, and content.

To stay competitive, vendors must:

• Provide VPATs (Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates) to demonstrate how their products meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
• Proactively address accessibility issues in software, platforms, and digital files.
• Understand that meeting compliance not only prevents legal risk but can also be a competitive advantage when bidding for government contracts.

Early adopters have the opportunity to position themselves as trusted, accessibility-first partners.

Practical Steps for Achieving Compliance

You don’t have to do everything at once—but doing nothing isn’t an option. Here are practical, manageable steps to get your organization on the right track toward Colorado HB 21‑1110 compliance:

1. Start with an accessibility audit: Identify barriers across your website, apps, and digital documents.
2. Prioritize fixes by severity and user impact: Tackle the most critical issues first, like navigation or content visibility.
3. Train your team: Make sure developers, designers, and content creators know how to maintain accessibility moving forward.
4. Engage expert help: Working with experienced professionals can streamline the process and help you avoid common pitfalls.

Accessibility isn’t just a one-time checklist—it’s an ongoing process that gets easier when you start with a clear plan and the right support.

Act Now for a Compliant and Inclusive Future

July 1, 2025, is coming quickly. The time to act on Colorado HB 21‑1110 compliance is now—not when the deadline hits.

But compliance doesn’t just keep you out of legal trouble. It builds digital spaces where everyone can participate, contribute, and feel included. That’s the kind of future worth investing in.

If you need help understanding what steps to take—or how to structure your accessibility plan—216digital is here to support you. Our ADA briefings are designed to make the process manageable, understandable, and actionable.