SB 25-037: Coal Transition Grants

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

The act requires the office of just transition (office) in the department of labor and employment to prioritize awarding funding to support tier one and tier 2 coal transition communities experiencing socioeconomic impacts of coal closures and for opportunities for economic diversification, local community input, feasibility studies of specific proposed projects, and needs assessments. The office is required to use money appropriated to the just transition cash fund after July 1, 2025, to support programs that support targeted investment in coal transition communities by collaborating with coal transition communities and eligible entities, state and regionally recognized governmental and economic development entities, employee organizations that represent coal transition workers, and workers who are not affiliated with employee organizations to implement the most effective projects and programs for those communities. The act requires the office to annually report to the joint budget committee and at the annual "State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act" hearings of the senate local government and housing committee and the house transportation, housing, and local government committee about the grants awarded by the office during the preceding state fiscal year, their recipients, and the purpose for which they were awarded. A public entity may invest public funds only as allowed by law. The act specifies that the investment of a payment or settlement to offset the socioeconomic impacts to a community or government from the closure of a coal mine or coal power generating station is not subject to these investment limitations. The act allows the executive director of the department of local affairs to establish a policy preference for awarding up to 70% of the money credited to the local government severance tax fund to just transition communities for a 3-year period beginning January 1, 2026. The act extends the deadline for the submittal by the director of the Colorado energy office of the findings and conclusions of assessments of advanced energy solutions in the northwestern and west end of Montrose county and in southeastern Colorado from July 1, 2025 to December 19, 2025, and makes the requirement that the findings and conclusion be submitted contingent on the director having sufficient federal money to support the submittal. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 33 · Republican 7

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. June 3, 2025Governor Signed
2. May 13, 2025Sent to the Governor
3. May 13, 2025Signed by the President of the Senate
4. May 13, 2025Signed by the Speaker of the House
5. May 7, 2025House Consideration of First Conference Committee Report result was to Adopt Committee Report - Repass
6. May 7, 2025Senate Consideration of First Conference Committee Report result was to Adopt Committee Report - Repass
7. May 6, 2025First Conference Committee Result was to Adopt Rerevised w/ Amendments
8. May 5, 2025Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Not Concur - Request Conference Committee
9. April 30, 2025House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
10. April 29, 2025House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
11. April 17, 2025House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
12. April 16, 2025House Committee on Business Affairs & Labor Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole

Showing 12 most recent of 18 actions. Full history