Representative Lukens and Representative Mauro, co-prime sponsors, introduced Senate Bill 26-052. The bill creates a hiring preference for coal transition workers and allows a public entity to deposit or invest public funds from a payment the public entity has received to offset the socioeconomic impacts from the closure of a coal mine or coal power generating station.

The sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Carl Smith, representing SMART-Transportation Division, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Robert Lindgren, representing Colorado AFL-CIO, testified in support of the bill. Nate Bernstein, representing Climate Jobs Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Richard Orf, representing Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Commissioner Tony Bohrer, representing Moffat County, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Jeff Comstock, representing Moffat County, testified in support of the bill. Bob Butero, representing United Mine Workers, testified in support of the bill.

The panel responded to questions from the committee.  

The bill sponsors gave closing comments on the bill.

Committee members gave closing comments on the bill.