DENVER - In partnership with the legislature, Governor Polis signed a number of landmark bills into law this year, including legislation that takes effect on July 1, 2023, to reduce auto theft and make Colorado one of the ten safest states in the nation and take bold climate action towards achieving 100% renewable energy by 2040. Transformative legislation passed during this legislative session and signed into law by Gov. Polis will also see budget transfers to implement this work starting July 1, 2023.
“These new laws will help improve public safety, make sure Colorado continues to lead in the clean energy transition and break down barriers to creating more housing now, are part of our ongoing commitment to make Colorado the best place to live, work, and run a business. From wildfire preparedness and response to reducing auto theft, we are delivering results to Coloradans and will continue to take bold action in partnership with the legislature,” said Governor Polis.
This session, Governor Polis partnered with Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Rose Pugliese and Senators Janice Marchman and Paul Lundeen to announce historic bipartisan investments in evidence-based math support for Colorado students. Funding will be transferred to the Department of Education for unprecedented support for math instruction, STEM-focused after-school programming, and improvement for students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade to get every Colorado student on track to math proficiency.
The Polis administration in partnership with the legislature continues to boost Colorado’s robust workforce and fill in-demand jobs. The funding to implement HB23-1246 Support In-demand Career Workforce sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie and Representative Rose Pugliese, Senators Janet Buckner and Perry Will will be appropriated to CDHE and CDLE beginning on July 1, 2023, to expand zero-cost training for aspiring professionals in high-demand careers, helping to connect hardworking Coloradans to good-paying jobs while delivering skilled talent to the industries that need it most.
Bipartisan legislation to prevent auto theft and hold offenders accountable for offenses committed on or after July 1, 2023, will take effect, including the bipartisan SB23-097 Motor Vehicle Theft And Unauthorized Use sponsored by Representatives Shannon Bird and Matt Soper, Senators Rachel Zenzinger and Bob Gardner. Auto theft has declined in Colorado by more than 20% since last year. To continue that downward trend, funding will be transferred on July 1 to implement the bipartisan SB23-257 Auto Theft Prevention Cash Fund sponsored by Representatives Brianna Titone and Rod Bockenfeld, Senators Jeff Bridges and Bob Gardner.
The Polis administration in partnership with the legislature continues to take bold action towards achieving 100% renewable energy by 2040. Expanded tax credits for electric vehicles become active July 1, 2023, as a result of HB23-1272 Tax Policy That Advances Decarbonization sponsored by Representatives Mike Weissman and Junie Joseph, Senate President Steve Fenberg, Senator Lisa Cutter, which expands tax credits for electric vehicles, including statewide credits up to $7500 for light duty electric vehicles.
Also taking effect on July 1, 2023, is SB23-285 Energy And Carbon Management Regulation In Colorado sponsored by Representatives Karen McCormick and Ruby Dickson and Senators Kevin Priola and Chris Hansen to update the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to be named the Energy and Carbon Management Commission, giving the commission authority to regulate beyond oil and gas. This law creates a pathway for more efficient and safe state regulatory approvals of deep geothermal energy projects, carbon management technologies, and pipelines.
Additional new laws will receive funding on July 1, 2023, to begin implementation, including legislation to break down barriers to more housing opportunities, continue to prepare for, prevent, and respond to wildfires, and maximize Colorado’s opportunities to receive federal infrastructure funding. This includes:
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SB23-001 Authority Of Public-private Collaboration Unit For Housing sponsored by Representatives Shannon Bird and Meghan Lukens and Senators Dylan Roberts and Rachel Zenzinger, which helps to utilize underused state land for much-needed housing projects.
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SB23-166 Establishment of a Wildfire Resiliency Code Board sponsored by Senators Lisa Cutter and Tony Exum and Representatives Meg Froelich and Elizabeth Velasco to help make Colorado a safer place to live.
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The bipartisan SB23-283 Mechanisms For Federal Infrastructure Funding was sponsored by Representatives Shannon Bird and Emily Sirota and Senators Rachel Zenzinger and Jeff Bridges to support the Front Range Rail and make sure Colorado continues to maximize competitiveness to secure federal funding for Colorado.
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The bipartisan HB23-1107 Crime Victim Services Funding was sponsored by Representatives Monica Duran and Rose Pugliese and Senators Bob Gardner and Faith Winter to support victims of crime.