Crafting Caregiver Legislation in 2026: Momentum & Your Voice
Crafting Caregiver Legislation in 2026: Momentum & Your Voice
Mark Fukae — Director of Advocacy, Professionals Who Care; Founder, Caregiver Advocacy & Support Initiative
As we prepare for Colorado’s 2026 legislative session (Jan 11–May 2026), the Colorado CARE Act is gaining real traction—thanks in part to 480 supporters and 523 petition signatures on Change.org. Now we need your stories alongside your signatures to ensure lawmakers feel the urgency.
Why 2026 Matters
Our draft Colorado CARE Act will:
- Add “family caregiver status” as a protected class under CADA
- Require reasonable accommodations (flexible schedules, remote/hybrid work, modified duties) unless undue hardship is shown
- Mandate employer referrals to the Family Caregiver Support Program (C.R.S. 26-11-207) for respite, counseling, and training
- Embed clear enforcement through the Civil Rights Division, anti-retaliation protections, and a 2032 sunset review
With your help, we’ll move this from proposal to law in 2026.
Petition Update & How You Can Help
Change.org Petition: “Enact the Colorado CARE Act”
https://www.change.org/p/enact-the-colorado-care-act
- 480 supporters have joined us as campaign backers
- 523 signatures collected so far to demonstrate strong public demand
- Please share this petition widely—text it to friends, post it in your industry groups, and tag local leaders. Every signature sends a clear message: Coloradans need caregiver protections now.
- Share Your Caregiving Story
Legislation lives—or dies—on the power of personal testimony. We want to hear your experience:
On the Professionals Who Care LinkedIn page:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/professionals-who-care/
Comment on our latest post with your story.
On the CASI LinkedIn page:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/caregiver-advocacy-support-initiative/
Reply there with a brief anecdote or challenge you’ve faced as a working caregiver.
On the CASI Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/CASI-Advocacy
Post your story or reaction under our “Caregiving Under the Microscope” update.
Your voice—whether a single sentence or a longer story—helps legislators understand the stakes far beyond statistics.
Ask Yourself:
“What one moment in my caregiving journey best illustrates why legal accommodations aren’t a luxury, but a necessity?”
Reflect, then share on LinkedIn or Facebook. Your insight could shift a vote.
Stay Connected & Volunteer
Follow Professionals Who Care on LinkedIn for policy updates and resources
Follow CASI on LinkedIn and Facebook for community events and virtual town halls
Volunteer your time—help draft talking points, organize outreach, or liaise with local businesses
Together, our signatures and stories will turn the Colorado CARE Act into reality. Sign, share, and speak up today—then share your story where lawmakers will see it.
Let’s make 2026 the year we secure real protections for every working caregiver.
Kindly,
Mark Fukae
Director of Advocacy - Professionals Who Care