A bill mandating the installation of carbon-monoxide detectors in houses and apartments got preliminary approval Monday - but only after a partisan fight over whether state buildings should come under the same rules.

House Bill 1091 requires the devices only in private residences, where 82 percent of carbon-monoxide-poisoning incidents occur, said Rep. Lois Court, D- Denver.

It would affect new residences and those being sold or rented to new tenants. Several amendments failed. The bill is expected to come up for a final vote today.

IN OTHER ACTION MONDAY:

* Rep. Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, said he will introduce a bill to make it easier for Coloradans to designate unmarried partners - same-sex or opposite-sex - as beneficiaries of worker's compensation payments and other compensation. People now can do this, but it costs them $500 to $1,000 to draw up the contracts.

* Senate President Peter Groff asked a committee on job creation to back a proposal to phase out Colorado's business personal property tax.

* Gov. Bill Ritter asked Colorado's congressional delegation to push for two things in the proposed federal stimulus package: more flexibility and more money.