By Elena Santarella, Colorado Policy Manager 

The Colorado BlueGreen Alliance (BGA) is dedicated to improving Colorado’s communities by supporting and creating good jobs, growing Colorado’s clean energy economy, and protecting Colorado’s environment on behalf of generations to come. The Colorado coalition advocated fiercely for legislation that improves the lives of workers, families, and school children. We secured significant wins during the 2024 Legislative Session, especially in the transportation and affordable housing space. 

HB24-1030 Railroad Safety Requirements was signed into law on May 10, 2024 and created the Colorado Office of Rail Safety and two advisory committees modeled after offices in other states, such as Minnesota. The law addresses reducing the frequency of blocked railroad crossings, providing training to first responders on dealing with hazardous chemicals transported by rail, and proactively addressing problems to increase safety and reduce the potential for derailments. The Office of Rail Safety is under the purview of the Colorado Public Utility Commission. 

Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in seeing another initiative of the Colorado BGA coalition come to fruition.  During the 2024 legislative session, BGA championed HB24-1307, HVAC Improvements for Public Schools. The legislation aimed to connect under-resourced public schools to federal funding opportunities that could transform aging school buildings by bringing modern, energy-efficient HVAC systems within affordable reach, ensuring schools would both be comfortable, and have clean air. Too often, federal money only goes to well-endowed schools who have the capacity to apply for grant programs and manage awards. Rurals schools and those located in underserved communities with a modest budget tend to lose out. HB24-1307 would have changed that by providing technical assistance to schools who need it most so they can reap the benefit of the latest federal investments, improve their HVAC systems, and improve energy efficiencies. Since the average age of school infrastructure in Colorado is 40 years, these updates are much needed.  

The bill passed with broad support through the General Assembly, however Governor Polis vetoed the bill. In his explanation, Governor Polis claimed that requiring the use of federal labor standards at the state level would create an increased burden on schools. This is untrue and highlights that additional education on why labor standards are important, how they proactively help projects save money, and how they expand the state’s workforce eligible to do future projects is needed. The Colorado BGA coalition will be working to better inform and educate the administration.  

Workers First 

BGA was built on the foundation that every worker deserves a good, safe, and clean job. Through collective bargaining, unions have the best ability to negotiate a family sustaining wage, good health and retirement benefits, and safer working conditions. HB24-1260 Prohibition Against Employee Discipline would have gone a long way towards protecting an employee’s right to organize. The bill outlined provisions to prohibit employers from disciplining employees who do not attend political or religious meetings. These “captive audience” meetings often required assemblies that discourage employees from unionizing. Several Colorado BGA partners fought for this bill and demonstrated the benefit of employee protections. Unfortunately, Governor Polis vetoed the bill in May. Our coalition will continue to fight for workers and their families, ensuring their employers offer good-paying jobs where they are safe, valued, and respected. 

Expanding Green Energy with Good Jobs  

BGA was able to expedite clean power across Colorado with the passage of SB24-218 Modernize Energy Distribution Systems. The bill was signed into law on May 10, 2024. The bill invests in the electrician workforce that installs interconnections and allows for more power to come onto the grid faster. This work is essential for bringing clean energy online and expanding the load capacity we need for electric vehicle charging and renewable energy projects. BlueGreen Alliance partners collaborated with legislators for over a year in advance of the bill introduction to solve delays with energy distribution and ensure a qualified workforce with rigorous training is responsible for powering Colorado.  

The Colorado BGA coalition also supported SB24-212 Local Govs Renewable Energy Projects, which requires the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission to provide local or Tribal governments with technical support to develop local renewable energy codes and review renewable energy project proposals. These new projects will not only spur clean energy development in rural and Tribal areas, but also create good construction, permanent operations, and maintenance jobs. The bill also requires the Colorado Energy Office to submit a report that evaluates renewable energy siting processes in local governments, identifies areas of low environmental and habitat conflict for future clean energy siting, and explores wildlife mitigation, decommissioning, and community benefits agreements or other such agreements between stakeholders. This bill was signed into law on May 21, 2024.