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based on: 2023 CLA Bill Tracker

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Bill No. Title VotesSave to CalendarHistoryDescriptionFull TextLobbyistsSenate CommitteeHouse CommitteeSenate SponsorsHouse SponsorsCustom SummaryCommentSummaryStatusSponsors (House and Senate)PositionIntro DateFiscal NotesBill SubjectBill DocsCategoryAmendmentsHearing DateHearing RoomHearing Time
HB23-1011 Consumer Right To Repair Agricultural Equipment Votes all Legislators
Bill HistoryConcerning a requirement that an agricultural equipment manufacturer facilitate the repair of its equipment by providing certain other persons with the resources needed to repair the manufacturer's agricultural equipment.Full Text of BillLobbyistsAgriculture and Natural ResourcesAgriculture, Water and Natural ResourcesN. Hinrichsen (D)
J. Marchman (D)
B. Titone (D)
R. Weinberg (R)

Usually, an owner of agricultural equipment must seek diagnostic,
maintenance, or repair services of the equipment from the agricultural
equipment manufacturer (manufacturer).
Starting January 1, 2024, the bill requires a manufacturer to
provide parts, embedded software, firmware, tools, or documentation,
such as diagnostic, maintenance, or repair manuals, diagrams, or similar
information (resources), to independent repair providers and owners of
the manufacturer's agricultural equipment to allow an independent repair
provider or owner to conduct diagnostic, maintenance, or repair services
on the owner's agricultural equipment.
The bill folds agricultural equipment into the existing consumer
right-to-repair statutes, which statutes provide the following:
  • A manufacturer's failure to comply with the requirement to
provide resources is a deceptive trade practice;
  • In complying with the requirement to provide resources, a
manufacturer need not divulge any trade secrets to
independent repair providers and owners; and
  • Any new contractual provision or other arrangement that a
manufacturer enters into that would remove or limit the
manufacturer's obligation to provide resources to
independent repair providers and owners is void and
unenforceable.

House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Not Concur - Request Conference Committee: 03/20/2023House:
B. Titone (D)
R. Weinberg (R)
Senate:
N. Hinrichsen (D)
J. Marchman (D)
e01/09/2023Fiscal Notes : 03/03/2023- Agriculture
- Business & Economic Development
Bill Documents03/27/2023Senate Chamber9:00 AM
HB23-1066 Public Access Landlocked Publicly Owned Land Votes all Legislators
Bill HistoryConcerning authorizing an individual to move between two adjacent parcels of public land that touch at the corners.Full Text of BillLobbyistsAgriculture, Water and Natural ResourcesB. Bradley (R)

Section 1 of the bill authorizes an individual to move from one
corner of public land to another corner of public land where 2 public
parcels meet 2 private parcels and share a common border, without being
liable for criminal or civil trespass, if:
  • 2 parcels of public land touch so that the individual can
reasonably step from one parcel of public land to the other
parcel of public land, or if there's a fence, could make the
step as if there were not a fence;
  • The individual moves over private land only as much as
necessary to cross from one parcel of public land to the
other;
  • The individual does not step on or stand on the privately
owned land or touch a fence on or other improvement to
the privately owned land, but the individual may use
mechanical means to move over the privately owned land;
and
  • The individual does not use a vehicle other than a
wheelchair to cross over the private land.
This authorization does not apply to the following:
  • Moving over an improvement to public land that is
designed to be occupied by individuals;
  • Entering public land to use it in a way that violates the law;
  • Moving over public land that the governing entity has
prohibited the general public from entering or has
controlled access to.
Section 1 also prohibits a landowner from erecting an
improvement to such a corner that is more than 54 inches high within 4
feet of the corner.
Section 2 requires a court to dismiss a trespass tort if the defendant
has complied with section 1. A successful defendant is awarded costs,
including attorney fees.
Section 3 instructs the parks and wildlife commission to
promulgate rules codifying the actions allowed in section 1. The division
of parks and wildlife will publicize the rules.

House Committee on Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Refer Amended to Appropriations: 03/13/2023House:
B. Bradley (R)
Senate:
e01/19/2023Fiscal Notes : 02/01/2023- Courts & Judicial
- Natural Resources & Environment
Bill Documents
HB23-1152 Prohibit Foreign Ownership Agricultural and Natural Resources Votes all Legislators
Bill HistoryConcerning prohibiting the ownership of certain property interests by covered foreign persons that are not located in the United States.Full Text of BillLobbyistsState, Civic, Military and Veterans AffairsB. Bradley (R)

The bill prohibits, on or after January 1, 2024, a nonresident
foreign citizen, foreign entity, or foreign government of the People's
Republic of China, the Russian Federation, or any country determined by
the United States secretary of state to be a state sponsor of terrorism
(covered foreign person) from acquiring a controlling ownership share in
agricultural land, mineral rights, or water rights (property interest) in the
state (prohibition). A covered foreign person who acquires a controlling
ownership share in a property interest in the state prior to January 1, 2024,
may continue to own the property interest but may not acquire a
controlling ownership share in any additional property interests in the
state.
No later than March 1, 2024, or 60 days after acquiring any
ownership in a property interest in the state, whichever is later, a covered
foreign person must register with the secretary of state (registration
requirement). The secretary of state is authorized to promulgate rules to
implement the registration requirement.
If the attorney general has reason to believe that a covered foreign
person has violated the prohibition or has not complied with the
registration requirement, the attorney general must commence a civil
action against the covered foreign person in a district court. If a district
court finds that the covered foreign person has violated the prohibition,
the district court must issue a judgment reverting the property interest to
the state. If the district court finds that the covered person has not
complied with the registration requirement, the district court must impose
a penalty of no more than $2,000 for each violation.

House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Postpone Indefinitely: 02/23/2023House:
B. Bradley (R)
Senate:
e01/31/2023Fiscal Notes : 02/16/2023- Agriculture
- Natural Resources & Environment
Bill Documents
HB23-1154 Ballot Issue Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report Votes all Legislators
Bill HistoryConcerning requirements for initiatives with a projected environmental impact that are properly submitted to the title board, and, in connection therewith, requiring the director of research of the legislative council to prepare a preliminary report for such initiatives, requiring the title of such initiatives to reflect the findings of the preliminary report, and requiring that the findings are referenced in the ballot information booklet entry for such initiatives.Full Text of BillLobbyistsState, Civic, Military and Veterans AffairsA. Valdez (D)

Current law allows a legislative measure to include a greenhouse
gas emissions report (report) prepared by the nonpartisan staff of the
legislative council that indicates whether the legislative measure is likely
to cause a net increase, decrease, or indeterminate amount of greenhouse
gas pollution in the 10-year period following its enactment. A report must
consider new sources of emissions, increases or decreases in existing
sources of emissions, and any impact on sequestration of emissions. The
department of natural resources, the Colorado energy office, and other
state agencies with relevant subject matter expertise are required to
cooperate with and provide information, if requested, to the legislative
council staff to assist in the preparation of a report.
The bill requires the director of research of the legislative council
(director) to prepare a preliminary report that requires an analysis on
whether a properly submitted initiative has a net change in greenhouse
gas emissions that directly impacts the following sectors:
  • Electric power;
  • Natural gas and oil systems;
  • Transportation;
  • Residential, commercial, or industrial fuel use;
  • Industrial processes;
  • Coal mining and abandoned mines;
  • Waste management;
  • Land use, land use change, or forestry; and
  • Agriculture.
The director is required to provide proponents of the proposed
initiative, or their representatives, and the secretary of state with the
preliminary report no later than the time of the title board meeting at
which the proposed initiated measure is to be considered.
The bill requires the ballot title of a measure that has a net increase
in greenhouse gas emissions as indicated by the preliminary report to
begin with Shall there be an increase in greenhouse gas emissions....
The ballot title of a measure that has a net decrease in greenhouse gas
emissions as indicated by the preliminary report must begin with Shall
there be a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions....
If it is determined in the preliminary report that the proposed
initiative is likely to directly cause a net increase or decrease, excluding
any de minimis net changes, in greenhouse gas pollution in the 10-year
period following the potential enactment of the initiative, staff of the
legislative council are required to prepare a full report. The department
of natural resources, the Colorado energy office, and other state agencies
with relevant subject matter expertise are required to assist the staff of the
legislative council with information in preparation of the report if
requested.
Proponents may file a motion for a rehearing with the secretary of
state within 7 days after the title board sets the initiative's title on the
grounds that the preliminary report is misleading or prejudicial. The title
board may modify the preliminary report based on information presented
at the rehearing. If the title board modifies the report, the secretary of
state shall provide the director with a copy of the amended report and the
director shall post the new version of the report on the legislative
council's website.
The bill further requires the ballot information booklet to include
any required preliminary report for any statewide measure and provide
information on how to obtain the full greenhouse gas emissions report if
one is available.

House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Postpone Indefinitely: 03/09/2023House:
A. Valdez (D)
Senate:
e01/31/2023Fiscal Notes : 02/14/2023- Elections & Redistricting
Bill Documents
HB23-1161 Environmental Standards For Appliances Votes all Legislators
Bill HistoryConcerning environmental standards for certain products.Full Text of BillLobbyistsEnergy and EnvironmentL. Cutter (D)C. Kipp (D)
J. Willford (D)

Current law establishes water and energy efficiency standards
(standards) for certain appliances and fixtures sold in Colorado. Sections
1 through 7
of the bill expand the appliances and fixtures that are subject
to the standards and update the standards.
Specifically, section 4 updates standards for certain appliances and
fixtures that are sold in Colorado on and after certain dates, including:
  • Certain faucets and urinals;
  • Certain lamps;
  • Commercial hot food holding cabinets;
  • Portable electric spas;
  • Residential ventilating fans; and
  • Spray sprinkler bodies.
Section 4 also creates new standards for certain appliances and
other fixtures that are sold in Colorado on and after January 1, 2024,
including:
  • Air purifiers;
  • Commercial ovens;
  • Electric storage water heaters;
  • Electric vehicle supply equipment;
  • Gas fireplaces;
  • Irrigation controllers;
  • Tub spout diverters and showerhead tub spout diverter
combinations; and
  • Certain residential windows, residential doors, and
residential skylights.
Section 4 also removes standards for air compressors, general
service lamps, and uninterruptible power supplies.
Section 5 requires the executive director of the department of
public health and environment (executive director) to promulgate rules on
or before January 1, 2026, and every 5 years thereafter:
  • Adopting a more recent version of any standard; and
  • Establishing standards for appliances and other devices that
are not subject to the standards if certain conditions are
met.
Section 6 exempts manufacturers of products subject to the
standards from having to demonstrate that a product complies with the
law if the product appears in the state appliance standards database
maintained by the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, or a
successor organization. Section 6 also requires the executive director to
conduct periodic, unannounced inspections of major distributors or
retailers, including online retailers, of new products in order to determine
compliance with the standards.
Under current law, any person who sells or offers to sell in the
state any new consumer product that is required to meet an efficiency
standard but that the person knows does not meet that standard is subject
to a civil penalty of not more than $2,000 for each violation, which
amount is credited to the general fund. Section 7 credits any penalties
imposed to the energy fund created in the Colorado energy office rather
than to the general fund and specifies that each transaction or online
for-sale product listing constitutes a separate violation.
Section 8 establishes the Clean Lighting Act to phase out the
sale of general-purpose fluorescent light bulbs that contain mercury. With
certain exceptions:
  • On and after January 1, 2024, a person shall not
manufacture, distribute, sell, or offer for sale in Colorado
any new compact fluorescent lamp with a screw- or
bayonet-type base; and
  • On and after January 1, 2025, a person shall not
manufacture, distribute, sell, or offer for sale in Colorado
any linear fluorescent lamp or any compact fluorescent
lamp with a pin-type base.
Section 9 establishes standards for heating and water heating
appliances. With certain exceptions, on and after January 1, 2025, a
person shall not manufacture, distribute, sell, offer for sale, lease, or offer
for lease in Colorado any new water heater, boiler, or fan-type central
furnace unless the emissions of the product do not exceed certain limits
on emissions. On or before January 1, 2029, the air quality control
commission in the department of public health and environment must
promulgate rules lowering the emission limits. Section 9 also requires
manufacturers to use certain testing protocols, display certain information
on each product, and demonstrate compliance through one of various
described means.
Sections 8 and 9 both require the executive director to conduct
periodic, unannounced inspections of major distributors or retailers,
including online retailers, of new products to determine compliance and
to report violations to the attorney general. If the attorney general has
probable cause to believe that a violation occurred, the attorney general
may bring a civil action on behalf of the state to seek the imposition of
civil penalties, and any civil penalties are to be deposited in the energy
fund.

House Committee on Energy & Environment Refer Amended to Appropriations: 03/09/2023House:
C. Kipp (D)
J. Willford (D)
Senate:
L. Cutter (D)
g02/01/2023Fiscal Notes : 02/14/2023- Business & Economic Development
- Energy
- Public Health
Bill Documents
HB23-1165 County Authority To Prohibit Firearms Discharge Votes all Legislators
Bill HistoryConcerning the authority of a board of county commissioners to prohibit discharge of firearms in unincorporated areas of a county.Full Text of BillLobbyistsLocal Government and HousingTransportation, Housing and Local GovernmentD. Roberts (D)
S. Jaquez Lewis (D)
J. Amabile (D)
K. McCormick (D)

Under existing law, a board of county commissioners (board) may
designate unincorporated areas of a county where it is unlawful to
discharge firearms, except the board may not prohibit discharge of
firearms in shooting galleries, on private grounds, or in residences under
circumstances that do not endanger persons or property. A designated
area must have an average population density of 100 persons or more per
square mile.
The bill repeals the exception for private property, repeals the
minimum population density requirement, and instead requires that the
designated area have 30 dwellings or more per square mile. A board is not
allowed to prohibit discharge of a firearm in a designated area by a peace
officer, in an indoor shooting gallery located in a private residence, or at
a shooting range.

Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Local Government & Housing: 03/06/2023House:
J. Amabile (D)
K. McCormick (D)
Senate:
D. Roberts (D)
S. Jaquez Lewis (D)
h02/02/2023Fiscal Notes : 02/06/2023- Local Government
Bill Documents
HB23-1210 Carbon Management Votes all Legislators
Bill HistoryConcerning carbon management, and, in connection therewith, ensuring that carbon management projects are eligible for grants under the industrial and manufacturing operations clean air grant program and providing for the creation of a carbon management roadmap.Full Text of BillLobbyistsEnergy and EnvironmentC. Hansen (D)R. Dickson (D)

Carbon management is defined by the bill as any combination of
carbon dioxide removal, carbon storage, carbon capture, and carbon
utilization. The bill ensures that carbon management projects, except for
agricultural, forestry, and enhanced oil recovery projects, are eligible for
money under the industrial and manufacturing operations clean air grant
program.
The bill also requires the Colorado energy office (office) and the
office of economic development to contract with an organization for the
development of a carbon management roadmap for the state. After
receiving a draft of the roadmap, the office will solicit feedback on the
roadmap and the contracted organization will use that feedback to update
the roadmap. The office will present the updated roadmap to the relevant
committees in the general assembly and then later update the general
assembly on the implementation of the roadmap.

House Committee on Energy & Environment Refer Amended to Appropriations: 03/09/2023House:
R. Dickson (D)
Senate:
C. Hansen (D)
h02/17/2023Fiscal Notes : 02/20/2023- Energy
- State Government
Bill Documents
HB23-1221 Water Quality Data Standards Votes all Legislators
Bill HistoryConcerning data standards for the determination of a total maximum daily load for state waters.Full Text of BillLobbyistsEnergy and EnvironmentC. Simpson (R)M. Soper (R)
T. Mauro (D)

The bill requires the division of administration in the department
of public health and environment, on and after January 1, 2024, to use
quality-assured data to determine the maximum amount of a pollutant that
can be discharged daily into state waters without exceeding applicable
water quality standards.

Introduced In House - Assigned to Energy & Environment: 02/27/2023House:
M. Soper (R)
T. Mauro (D)
Senate:
C. Simpson (R)
h02/27/2023Fiscal Notes : 03/17/2023- Water
Bill DocumentsNone
HB23-1242 Water Conservation In Oil And Gas Operations Votes all Legislators
Bill HistoryConcerning water used in oil and gas operations.Full Text of BillLobbyistsEnergy and EnvironmentL. Cutter (D)A. Boesenecker (D)
J. Joseph (D)

The bill requires an oil and gas operator in the state (operator), on
or before January 31, 2024, and at least annually thereafter, to report
information to the Colorado oil and gas conservation commission
(commission) regarding the operator's use of water entering, utilized at,
or exiting each of the operator's oil and gas locations.
The bill also requires the commission to adopt rules requiring that:
  • When issuing an operator a new or renewed oil and gas
permit on or after June 1, 2024, the commission include as
a condition of the permit a requirement that the operator
use a decreasing percentage of fresh water and a
corresponding increasing percentage of recycled or reused
water in the operator's oil and gas operations; and
  • Each oil and gas operator, on and after January 1, 2024,
report on a monthly basis to the commission about the daily
vehicle miles traveled for any trucks hauling water to,
within, or from the operator's oil and gas operations in the
state.
From the information reported to the commission under the bill,
the commission is required to:
  • Include the information as part of the commission's annual
reporting on cumulative impacts of oil and gas operations;
  • Report to the division of administration (division) in the
department of public health and environment, on a
per-incident basis, any indication of technologically
enhanced naturally occurring radioactive material or PFAS
chemicals present in produced water; and
  • On a quarterly basis, submit a cumulative report to the
division and the department of transportation on reported
vehicle miles traveled and public roads traveled.

Introduced In House - Assigned to Energy & Environment: 03/11/2023House:
A. Boesenecker (D)
J. Joseph (D)
Senate:
L. Cutter (D)
h03/11/2023Fiscal Notes : 03/20/2023- Energy
- Natural Resources & Environment
Bill DocumentsNone
SB23-010 Water Resources And Agriculture Review Committee Votes all Legislators
Bill HistoryConcerning the water resources and agriculture review committee.Full Text of BillLobbyistsAgriculture and Natural ResourcesAgriculture, Water and Natural ResourcesJ. Bridges (D)
C. Simpson (R)
B. McLachlan (D)

Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee. The bill
removes a reference to the water resources and agriculture review
committee being an interim committee and removes an outdated reference
to Senate Bill 96-074 in the legislative declaration. The bill also removes
limitations on the number of meetings and the number of field trips the
committee may hold and requires the committee to meet at least 4 times
during each calendar year.

Governor Signed: 03/10/2023Senate:
J. Bridges (D)
C. Simpson (R)
House:
B. McLachlan (D)
h01/09/2023Fiscal Notes : 01/11/2023-
- Agriculture
- Water
Bill Documents
SB23-016 Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Measures Votes all Legislators
Bill HistoryConcerning measures to promote reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in Colorado.Full Text of BillLobbyistsTransportation and EnergyC. Hansen (D)E. Sirota (D)
K. McCormick (D)

Section 1 of the bill requires that, beginning in 2024, each
insurance company issued a certificate of authority to transact insurance
business that reports more than $100 million on its annual schedule T
filing with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
must participate in and complete the NAIC's Insurer Climate Risk
Disclosure Survey or successor survey or reporting mechanism.
Section 2 requires the public employees' retirement association
(PERA) board, on or before June 1, 2024, to adopt proxy voting
procedures that ensure that the board's voting decisions align with, and
are supportive of, the statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emission
reduction goals.
Section 3 requires PERA to include as part of its annual
investment stewardship report, which report is posted on the PERA
board's website, a description of climate-related investment risks,
impacts, and strategies.
Section 4 adds wastewater thermal energy equipment to the
definition of pollution control equipment, which equipment may be
certified by the division of administration (division) in the department of
public health and environment (CDPHE). Similarly, section 5 adds
wastewater thermal energy to the definition of clean heat resource,
which resource a gas distribution utility includes in its clean heat plan
filed with the public utilities commission.
Section 6 updates the statewide GHG emission reduction goals to
add a 65% reduction goal for 2035, an 80% reduction goal for 2040, and
a 90% reduction goal for 2045 when compared to 2005 GHG pollution
levels. Section 6 also increases the 2050 GHG emission reduction goal
from 90% of 2005 GHG pollution levels to 100%.
Section 7 gives the oil and gas conservation commission
(COGCC) authority over class VI injection wells used for sequestration
of GHG if the governor and COGCC determine, in accordance with a
study that the COGCC conducted in 2021, that the state has sufficient
resources to ensure the safe and effective regulation of the sequestration
of GHG. If the governor and the COGCC determine there are sufficient
resources, the COGCC may seek primacy under the federal Safe
Drinking Water Act and, when granted, may issue and enforce permits
for class VI injection wells. The COGCC shall require, as part of its
regulation of class VI injection wells, that operators of the wells maintain
adequate financial assurance until the COGCC approves the closure of a
class VI injection well site.
Section 8 establishes a state income tax credit in an amount equal
to 30% of the purchase price for new, electric-powered lawn equipment
for purchases made in income tax years 2024 through 2026. A seller of
new, electric-powered lawn equipment that demonstrates that it provided
a purchaser a 30% discount from the purchase price of new,
electric-powered lawn equipment may claim the tax credit.
Current law requires an electric retail utility (utility) to offer a net
metering credit as the means of purchasing output from a community
solar garden (CSG) located within the utility's service territory and
establishes the means of calculating the net metering credit. Section 9
maintains that calculation if the CSG indicates to the utility that the CSG's
subscribers' bill credits change annually. If the CSG indicates to the utility
that the CSG's subscribers' bill credits remain fixed, however, section 9
provides a different calculation for determining the net metering credit.
Sections 10 through 12 incorporate projects to renovate or
recondition existing utility transmission lines into the Colorado Electric
Transmission Authority Act, allowing the Colorado electric transmission
authority to finance and renovate, rebuild, or recondition existing
transmission lines in order to update and optimize the transmission lines.
Section 13 requires a local government to expedite its review of
a land use application that proposes a project to renovate, rebuild, or
recondition existing transmission lines.
Section 14 makes a conforming amendment regarding the updated
statewide GHG emission reduction goals set forth in section 6.

Senate Committee on Finance Refer Amended to Appropriations: 02/21/2023Senate:
C. Hansen (D)
House:
E. Sirota (D)
K. McCormick (D)
c01/10/2023Fiscal Notes : 03/13/2023- Energy
- Natural Resources & Environment
Bill Documents
SB23-038 Prohibit Equine Slaughter For Human Consumption Votes all Legislators
Bill HistoryConcerning a prohibition on slaughtering equines for human consumption.Full Text of BillLobbyistsAgriculture and Natural ResourcesS. Jaquez Lewis (D)L. Garcia (D)

Section 1 of the bill establishes the crime of unlawful equine
slaughter. A person engages in unlawful equine slaughter if the person:
  • Slaughters an equine when the person knows or reasonably
should know that any part of the equine will be used for
human consumption;
  • Possesses, imports into the state, exports from the state,
buys, sells, gives away, or accepts an equine with the intent
of killing, or having another person kill, the equine if the
person knows or reasonably should know that any part of
the equine will be used for human consumption; or
  • Possesses, imports into the state, exports from the state,
buys, sells, gives away, or accepts equine meat if the
person knows or reasonably should know that the meat will
be used for human consumption.
Section 1 provides a safe harbor to the offense for equine
slaughtered for use by a facility in feeding predators housed at the facility.
Each equine that is unlawfully slaughtered and each 100 pounds
of equine meat derived from unlawful slaughter is a separate offense. A
first violation is a class 1 misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum fine
of $1,000, and a second or subsequent violation within a 10-year period
is a class 5 felony with a mandatory minimum fine of $5,000. If a person
obtains the equine by fraud and commits unlawful equine slaughter, it is
a class 4 felony with a mandatory minimum fine of $10,000. In addition,
a person that commits unlawful equine slaughter is forever prohibited
from owning, possessing, or caring for an equine and from participating
in a public livestock market for 3 to 5 years.
Sections 2 and 3 require notice of the crime of unlawful equine
slaughter to be given at livestock auctions and on bills of sale.

Senate Second Reading Lost with Amendments - Committee, Floor: 03/16/2023Senate:
S. Jaquez Lewis (D)
House:
L. Garcia (D)
e01/12/2023Fiscal Notes : 01/24/2023- Business & Economic Development
- Crimes, Corrections, & Enforcement
Bill Documents
SB23-044 Veterinary Education Loan Repayment Program Votes all Legislators
Bill HistoryConcerning updates to the veterinary education loan repayment program.Full Text of BillLobbyistsAgriculture and Natural ResourcesJ. Ginal (D)
R. Pelton (R)
K. McCormick (D)

The bill updates the veterinary education loan repayment program
in the following ways:
  • The number of qualified applicants per year is increased
from 4 to 6;
  • The requirement that an applicant must have graduated
from an accredited veterinary school in 2017 or later is
eliminated;
  • The total amount an applicant is eligible for over a 4-year
period is increased from $70,000 to $90,000;
  • The yearly repayment amounts for successful applicants are
increased; and
  • The state treasurer is required to transfer $540,000 from the
general fund to the veterinary education loan repayment
fund on September 1, 2023.

Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Refer Unamended to Appropriations: 02/09/2023Senate:
J. Ginal (D)
R. Pelton (R)
House:
K. McCormick (D)
b01/12/2023Fiscal Notes : 01/24/2023- Higher Education
Bill Documents
SB23-050 Eligibility For Agricultural Future Loan Program Votes all Legislators
Bill HistoryConcerning modifications to the Colorado agricultural future loan program, and, in connection therewith, modifying the eligibility requirements for the program and eliminating the repeal date for the loan program.Full Text of BillLobbyistsAgriculture and Natural ResourcesAgriculture, Water and Natural ResourcesD. Roberts (D)
C. Simpson (R)
R. Holtorf (R)
K. McCormick (D)

The bill changes the definitions of eligible business and eligible
farmer or rancher under the Colorado agricultural future loan program
to specify that:
  • Eligible businesses include entities that are currently in
operation and ones that will be in operation;
  • Eligible businesses and eligible uses for the loan include
businesses that conduct agricultural processing or ones that
develop or manufacture technology designed to benefit
farmers and ranchers; and
  • Eligible farmers and ranchers include farmers and ranchers
that currently own or operate or will own or operate a farm
or ranch.
The bill removes the repeal of the loan program.

Governor Signed: 03/22/2023Senate:
D. Roberts (D)
C. Simpson (R)
House:
R. Holtorf (R)
K. McCormick (D)
b01/17/2023Fiscal Notes : 01/23/2023- Agriculture
Bill Documents
SB23-092 Agricultural Producers Use Of Agrivoltaics Votes all Legislators
Bill HistoryConcerning opportunities for voluntary emission reductions in agriculture.Full Text of BillLobbyistsAgriculture and Natural ResourcesC. Hansen (D)
C. Simpson (R)
M. Soper (R)
K. McCormick (D)

In support of the use of agrivoltaics, which is the integration of
solar energy generation facilities with agricultural activities, section 2 of
the bill authorizes the agricultural drought and climate resilience office
(office) to award grants for new or ongoing demonstration or research
projects that demonstrate or study the use of agrivoltaics. On or before
October 1, 2023, the office is required to convene a stakeholder group to
advise on whether the office should impose any operational requirements
for agrivoltaic projects that apply for grants.
Section 4 authorizes the Colorado water conservation board
(board) to finance a project to study the feasibility of using aquavoltaics,
which are solar energy generation facilities placed over, or floating on,
irrigation canals or reservoirs.
Section 1 requires the director of the division of parks and wildlife
to consult on the impacts on wildlife of:
  • Any research projects for which the office awards money
to study the use of agrivoltaics; and
  • The project that the board finances to study the feasibility
of using aquavoltaics in the state.
Section 5 amends the statutory definition of solar energy facility,
used in determining the valuation of public utilities for property tax
purposes, to include agrivoltaics and aquavoltaics.
Section 3 requires the commissioner of agriculture or the
commissioner's designee (commissioner), in consultation with the
Colorado energy office, the air quality control commission, and an
institution of higher education with expertise in climate change
mitigation, adaptation benefits, and other environmental benefits related
to agricultural research, to examine greenhouse gas reduction and carbon
sequestration opportunities in the agricultural sector, including the use of
dry digesters and the potential for creating and offering a certified
greenhouse gas offset program and credit instruments in the agricultural
sector.
Section 3 requires the commissioner to submit a progress report
on the study to the general assembly on or before October 1, 2024, and a
final report, including any recommendations, on or before October 1,
2025.
Section 3 also authorizes the commissioner to adopt rules to
implement the recommendations, but requires that any greenhouse gas
offset program or other greenhouse gas reduction and carbon
sequestration program or mechanism established in rule not mandate
participation by agricultural producers.

Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Agriculture & Natural Resources: 01/30/2023Senate:
C. Hansen (D)
C. Simpson (R)
House:
M. Soper (R)
K. McCormick (D)
h01/30/2023Fiscal Notes : 02/14/2023- Agriculture
Bill DocumentsNone04/06/2023Senate Committee Room 3521:30 PM
SB23-103 Update Colorado Recreational Use Statute Votes all Legislators
Bill HistoryConcerning the liability of owners of private land for damages that are incurred by persons who access the private land for recreational purposes.Full Text of BillLobbyistsJudiciaryM. Baisley (R)M. Lynch (R)

The bill amends the Colorado recreational use statute (CRUS).
Section 1 of the bill amends the stated purposes of the CRUS.
Section 2 amends definitions of terms and adds a definition of the
term inherent dangers or risks.
Section 3 changes the conditions under which the CRUS limits a
landowner's (owner's) liability for damages that occur as a result of other
persons' use of the owner's land for recreational purposes. Section 3 also
repeals limitations on the total amount of damages that may be recovered
from a private landowner that leases land to a public entity for
recreational purposes or that grants an easement or other right to use land
to a public entity for recreational purposes. In place of these limitations,
the bill substitutes language stating that, except as otherwise agreed by a
public entity and an owner, an owner is not liable for losses resulting
from a public entity's management, or failure to provide adequate
management, of land that is used for recreational purposes. Section 3 also
removes unused and redundant definitions of terms.
Section 4 amends several exceptions that describe circumstances
under which the CRUS does not limit an owner's liability. Specifically:
  • The CRUS allows an owner to be found liable for willful
or malicious failure to guard or warn against a known
dangerous condition, use, structure, or activity likely to
cause harm. Section 4 limits this exception to apply only
to malicious failures and amends the exception to apply to
a known dangerous condition, use, structure, or activity
likely to cause harm or death.
  • The CRUS includes an exception in cases in which an
owner imposes a charge upon a person who goes on the
land for recreational purposes. Section 4 removes certain
language from this exception that is redundant with
language that appears elsewhere in the CRUS.
  • The CRUS includes an exception concerning attractive
nuisances. Section 4 provides that if a property used for
public recreational purposes contains active or inactive
agricultural operations; active or inactive mining
operations, gravel operations, or other mineral and energy
development; or certain water structures, neither the
property nor the agricultural operations, nor the mining or
gravel operations or other development, nor the water or
water structures constitute an attractive nuisance.
  • The CRUS allows an owner to be held liable for injury
received on land incidental to the use of land on which a
commercial or business enterprise of any description is
being carried on. However, when land is leased to a public
entity for recreational purposes or a public entity has been
granted an easement or other right to use land for
recreational purposes, the land is not considered to be land
upon which a business or commercial enterprise is being
carried on. Section 4 removes this qualification from the
exception.
Section 5 relocates language stating that the CRUS does not limit
the protections afforded to an owner under Colorado's premises liability
statute. Section 5 also states that nothing in the CRUS creates a
prescriptive easement on private land where an owner has acquiesced to
public use of existing trails that have historically been used by the public
for recreational purposes.
Current law allows the prevailing party in any civil action brought
by a recreational user for damages against a landowner who allows the
use of the landowner's property for public recreational purposes to
recover the costs of the action together with reasonable attorney fees as
determined by the court. Section 6 states that in the event that an action
is commenced by any party, the prevailing party is entitled to recover all
fees, costs, and expenses, including fees and expenses of attorneys and
experts and fees and expenses associated with appeals of the court's
decision.
Section 7 states that nothing in the CRUS may be construed to
limit the authority of an owner to:
  • Determine any or all of the recreational purposes that are
allowed on the owner's land;
  • Identify areas of the land where recreational purposes are
allowed or not allowed; or
  • Restrict persons from engaging in recreational purposes on
the owner's land.
Section 7 also describes means by which an owner who elects to take any
of these actions may provide notice to the public of such actions. Section
7
also states that except as otherwise provided in the CRUS:
  • An owner owes no duty of care to keep the owner's
premises safe for entry by other persons for recreational
purposes or to give any warning of a dangerous condition,
use, structure, or activity on the premises to persons
entering the land for such purposes; and
  • Neither the installation of a sign or other form of warning
of a dangerous condition, nor the failure to maintain or
keep in place any sign or other warning, nor the failure to
make any modification to improve safety creates any
liability on the part of an owner when there is no other
basis for liability.

Senate Committee on Judiciary Postpone Indefinitely: 03/01/2023Senate:
M. Baisley (R)
House:
M. Lynch (R)
h01/31/2023Fiscal Notes : 02/14/2023- Civil Law
Bill Documents
SB23-159 Sunset Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council Votes all Legislators
Bill HistoryConcerning the continuation of the Colorado food systems advisory council, and, in connection therewith, extending the sunset date by seven years.Full Text of BillLobbyistsAgriculture and Natural ResourcesN. Hinrichsen (D)
B. Pelton (R)
A. Boesenecker (D)
M. Lindsay (D)

Sunset Process - Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources
Committee. The Colorado food systems advisory council established
within Colorado state university is scheduled to repeal on September 1,
2023. The bill extends the sunset date until September 1, 2030.

Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Refer Amended to Appropriations: 03/09/2023Senate:
N. Hinrichsen (D)
B. Pelton (R)
House:
A. Boesenecker (D)
M. Lindsay (D)
h02/15/2023Fiscal Notes : 02/20/2023- Agriculture
- Public Health
- State Government
Bill Documents
SB23-166 Establishment Of A Wildfire Resiliency Code Board Votes all Legislators
Bill HistoryConcerning the establishment of a wildfire resiliency code board, and, in connection therewith, requiring the wildfire resiliency code board to adopt model codes and requiring governing bodies with jurisdiction in an area within the wildland-urban interface to adopt codes that meet or exceed the standards set forth in the model codes.Full Text of BillLobbyistsLocal Government and HousingT. Exum Sr. (D)
L. Cutter (D)
M. Froelich (D)
E. Velasco (D)

The bill establishes a wildfire resiliency code board (board) in the
division of fire prevention and control (division) within the department
of public safety (department) for the purposes of ensuring community
safety from and more resiliency to wildfires by reducing the risk of
wildfires to people and property through the adoption of statewide codes
and standards. The board consists of 21 appointed voting members with
specific government or industry qualifications and 3 non-voting members.
The board is required to promulgate rules concerning the adoption and
administration of codes and standards for the hardening of structures and
parcels in the wildland-urban interface in Colorado, including rules that:
  • Define the wildland-urban interface and identify areas of
the state that are within it;
  • Adopt minimum codes and standards based on best
practices to reduce the risk to life and property from the
effects of wildfires;
  • Identify hazards and types of buildings, entities, and
defensible space around structures to which the codes
apply; and
  • Establish a process for a governing body to petition the
board for a modification to the codes and establish the
criteria and process for the board to grant or deny an appeal
from a decision of the board on a petition for modification.
The bill also creates the wildfire resiliency code board cash fund
and continuously appropriates the money in the fund to the department to
implement the provisions of the bill.
The bill requires a governing body with jurisdiction in an area
within the wildland-urban interface to adopt and enforce a code that
meets or exceeds the minimum standards of the codes adopted by the
board. Enforcement of the codes is done in accordance with the rules and
regulations for code enforcement adopted by the governing body. If the
governing body does not have rules and regulations for code enforcement,
the governing body may request support from the division to enforce the
code.

Senate Committee on Local Government & Housing Refer Amended to Appropriations: 03/16/2023Senate:
T. Exum Sr. (D)
L. Cutter (D)
House:
M. Froelich (D)
E. Velasco (D)
h02/17/2023Fiscal Notes : 02/20/2023- State Government
Bill Documents
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