S_TRA_2024A 04/24/2024 04:08:08 PM Committee Summary

Senator Hansen, co-prime sponsor, introduced and explained Senate Bill 24-212 Local Governments Renewable Energy Projects. The bill requires that the Department of Natural Resources provide technical support to local and tribal governments related to renewable energy projects, and requires that the Department of Local Affairs and the Governor’s Energy Office jointly develop a repository of model codes and ordinances for renewable energy projects.

The sponsor responded to questions from the committee.

Aaron Ray, representing Colorado Department of Natural Resources, testified in support of the bill. Keith Hay, representing Colorado Energy Office, testified in support of the bill. Suzanne ONeill, representing Colorado Wildlife Federation, testified in support of the bill. Seve De Soto, representing Western Resource Advocates, testified in support of the bill.

The prior panel responded to questions from the committee.

Sally Strand, representing Sacred Horizons, testified in opposition to the bill. Riley Strand, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ray Strand, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Gisele Jefferson, representing Washington County government, testified in opposition to the bill.

The prior panel responded to questions from the committee.

Beverly Stables, representing Colorado Municipal League, testified to amend the bill. Reagan Shane, representing Colorado Counties, Inc., testified to amend the bill. Ellen Kutzer, representing Colorado Solar and Storage Association, testified to amend the bill.

The prior panel responded to questions from the committee.

Lorelyn Hall, representing Southern Ute Indian Tribe, testified in support of the bill. Daly Edmunds, representing Audubon Rockies, testified in support of the bill. Anita Seitz, representing Colorado Communities for Climate Action, testified in support of the bill.

Amy Mitchell, representing Park County, testified in opposition to the bill. Shad Sullivan, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Rikki Seguin, representing Interwest Energy Alliance, testified to amend the bill. Luke Schafer, representing Conservation Colorado, testified to amend the bill.

The prior panel responded to questions from the committee.

Written testimony is included as Attachment A.

Senator Pelton introduced
and explained amendment L.011 (Attachment D). Senator Hansen gave comments
on the amendment.

Senator Pelton
introduced amendment L.001 (Attachment E). Senator Hansen gave comments
on the amendment, discussion ensued.

Senator Pelton
introduced amendment  L.002 (Attachment F). Senator Hansen gave comments
on the amendment.

Senator Pelton
introduced amendment  L.003 (Attachment G). Senator Hansen gave comments
on the amendment.

Senator Pelton
introduced amendment  L.005 (Attachment H). Senator Hansen gave comments
on the amendment.

Senator Pelton
introduced amendment  L.006 (Attachment I). Senator Hansen gave comments
on the amendment.

Senator Pelton
introduced amendment  L.007 (Attachment J). Senator Hansen and President
Fenberg gave comments on the amendment.

Caitlin Casassa, representing Department of Personnel & Administration, testified in support of the bill. Seth Ford, representing Department of Personnel & Administration, testified in support of the bill. Dominique Gomez, representing Colorado Energy Office, testified in support of the bill.

The prior panel answered questions from the committee.

Written testimony is included as Attachment K.

Senator Michaelson-Jenet, prime sponsor, introduced and explained House Bill 24-1338 Cumulative Impacts & Environmental Justice. The bill creates the Office of Environmental Justice, creates a rapid response team to respond to air quality complaints, and requires an assessment of refinery regulations.

Michael Ogletree, representing Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, testified in support of the bill. Trisha Oeth, representing Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, testified in support of the bill. Naomi Amaha, representing The Denver Foundation, testified in support of the bill.

The prior panel answered questions from the committee.

Angie Binder, representing Colorado Petroleum Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Carly West, representing Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, testified to amend the bill. Rebeca Medrano, representing Conservation Colorado, testified to amend the bill. Charles Perko, representing United Steelworkers, testified in opposition to the bill.

The prior panel responded to questions from the committee.

Cindy Copeland, representing Colorado Communities for Climate Action, testified in support of the bill.

Ruth Hund, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Darci Martinez, representing National Association of Hispanic Nurses - Denver Chapter, testified in support of the bill. Ean Tafoya, representing GreenLatinos, testified in support of the bill.

The prior panel answered questions from the committee.

Ramesh Bhatt, representing the Sierra Club, testified in support of the bill. Heidi Leathwood, representing 350 Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Rebecca Curry, representing Earthjustice, testified in support of the bill. Tom Abood, representing Together Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Written testimony is included as Attachment O.

The sponsor gave closing comments.