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Committee unanimously advances bill to help schools tap federal funds for HVAC upgrades
Summary
House Finance voted unanimously to forward a bill that helps districts access federal infrastructure dollars and a new IIJA cash fund for HVAC upgrades in K‑12 schools.
Sponsors told the House Finance Committee that House Bill 25‑12‑45 would create a pathway for Colorado school districts to use federal infrastructure funds and an IIJA cash fund to upgrade school heating, ventilation and air‑conditioning systems.
Representative Leader, a co‑prime sponsor, said the bill is intended to help school districts — particularly rural and disadvantaged districts — access federal grant money and matching funds for critical HVAC work. “Colorado school infrastructure is aging,” Leader told the committee, and “the condition of Colorado schools is causing exposures to mold and toxins” that affect student learning and staff retention.
Representative Hamrick, the bill’s co‑prime and a longtime educator, said the bill is permissive and will not force districts to participate; rather it opens an additional funding pathway and applies labor standards when districts use state funds to match federal grants.
Supporters who testified included labor representatives and HVAC practitioners. Chaz Tedesco of Sheet Metal Workers Local 9 said the bill would improve schools’ ability to secure and match federal grants and ensure certified contractors for assessments and installations. Joshua Unkefer, an HVAC commissioning professional, and Sarah Vaughn, a Poudre School District math teacher testifying for the Colorado Education Association, described health and safety problems in non‑air‑conditioned schools and urged passage.
The committee had no amendments and advanced the bill to the Committee of the Whole on a unanimous voice and roll call vote. Sponsors said the bill does not require an appropriation in the current fiscal note and emphasized it is permissive — districts may tap the new funding pathway but are not required to do so.
Why it matters: Supporters framed the bill as a public‑health and equity measure that would help districts, including rural and low‑income systems, access federal matching funds to upgrade aging HVAC systems. Testimony highlighted examples of extreme classroom temperatures, heat‑related student illness and operational challenges for teachers.
What’s next: House Bill 25‑12‑45 was moved to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation.
