By Katie Reinisch
This week, a bill that severely restricts the work of Colorado’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) was “laid over” past the end of the legislative session, thus defeating it, in the House Health and Human Services Committee.
If passed, Senate Bill 140 would have excluded nearly 70% of high-cost, commonly prescribed drugs from the PDAB’s review and prevented it from setting reasonable cost limits on drugs that are unaffordable for Coloradans.
“This bill would have prevented the PDAB from working to bring down the costs of the most unaffordable drugs in the state,” said Priya Telang, communications manager at Colorado Consumer Health Initiative. “Life-saving medications do not work if people can’t afford them. Thank you to the House Health and Human Services Committee members for prioritizing consumers and affordability over industry interests.”
The PDAB was created in 2021 with broad support: 71% of Coloradans wanted the state to look into why prescription drugs cost so much and, if those drugs are unaffordable for hardworking Coloradans, set a reasonable limit to save consumers money. In a March 2026 Centennial State Prosperity poll, 69% of Coloradans indicated that the PDAB should work to lower the cost of more prescription drugs, not less.
“We are happy that SB26-140 did not move forward today. It is crucial that the PDAB be able to continue to do its job to lower hardworking Coloradans prescription drug costs. Medications don’t work if people can’t afford them and this legislation would have kept medication costs high for the Coloradans who need relief from high drug costs the most,” said Nikita Valdez, organizing manager at Centennial State Prosperity.
“Physicians across the state do not want the Board’s work to be hindered by legislation that carves out some of the highest cost prescription drugs,” said Dr. Kyle Leggot, a family physician located in Lone Tree. “I’ve seen firsthand the negative impact high prices for medications have on patients. I have cared for patients who take Humira for their Rheumatoid Arthritis and for many it has worked wonders. But for some, the cost of Humira can suddenly change, whether it be a price increase from the drug manufacturer or a change in insurance coverage.”
“Colorado’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board has led the country in evaluating high-priced medications and setting an upper price limit on Enbrel. In response, Enbrel’s manufacturer sued the state of Colorado and with SB26-140, we saw legislation to limit the effectiveness of the PDAB. With medical costs continuing to rise faster than inflation, this is a time to support measures aimed at reducing the cost of drugs Coloradans need to stay healthy. As nurses, we see the impact of high-cost medications as people decide between rent, food, and healthcare. We look forward to legislation supporting the experts at PDAB in doing their work,” said Mark Longshore, Executive Director of the Colorado Nurses Association.
Colorado Consumer Health Initiative is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, membership-based group advocating for equitable access to high-quality, affordable health care. CCHI serves Coloradans whose access to health care and financial security are compromised by structural barriers, affordability, poor benefits, or unfair business practices of the health care industry.
Katie Reinisch writes on behalf of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative.