Committee approves five-year extension for Just Transition advisory committee; bill advances to appropriations

The Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee adopted amendment L002 and voted 6–1 on Oct. 12 to send Senate Bill 181 to the Appropriations Committee with a favorable recommendation. The amendment changes the bill from an indefinite continuation to a five-year extension followed by another sunset review and increases advisory committee membership from 19 to 21.

Senator Roberts and co-prime sponsor Senator Winter described the Just Transition Advisory Committee (JTAC) as a key adviser to the Office of Just Transition (OJT), which was created in 2019 to guide economic and workforce transitions in coal-impacted communities. Roberts said the amendment modernizes the committee’s role now that an office and plan exist and adds two seats to better represent impacted areas.

Witnesses representing local governments, labor and the office itself urged continuation and modest strengthening of JTAC’s role. Richard Orr of Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado said the committee “can help steer OJT grant criteria to ensure grants are going to where the locals need the help the most.” Carl Smith, legislative director for SMART TD and vice chair of JTAC, said the committee brings worker perspectives to plant closures and other transitions.

Wade Buchanan, director of the Office of Just Transition, testified that the office supports the L002 amendment and that additional voices — including coal workers and utility representatives — would help guide programming. Buchanan said the office has disbursed grant funds created by multiple legislative measures and that JTAC provides needed local perspective on how money should be spent.

Senator Roberts told the committee that the office has been allocated $30,000,000 through several laws and that about $15,000,000 has been expended to date. Routt County Commissioner Sonia Macy said the OJT has provided legal and financial support while her county negotiates the closure of the Xcel Energy plant; she told the committee the plant’s closure would remove about $4,700,000 in annual property-tax revenue from Routt County and underscored the need for coordinated transition assistance.

Committee members expressed support for continuing JTAC while some, including Senator Bazely, questioned whether the office and committee have done enough in specific communities. Sponsors said additional legislation and funding are in the pipeline to address outstanding needs. With L002 adopted, the committee advanced the bill to appropriations on a 6–1 vote.