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Routt County commissioners discuss positions on housing and energy bills ahead of CCAT/CCI meetings
Summary
Routt County commissioners reviewed several state bills on Jan. 27 and directed county delegates to weigh in at CCAT and CCI meetings, including on regional building codes for factory-built housing, a faith-based housing bill, and a proposal to label nuclear energy as "clean."
Routt County commissioners used the Jan. 27 work session to review pending state legislation the county will consider through regional bodies CCAT and Colorado Counties, Inc. (CCI).
County representatives said CCAT plans to take an amended position on Senate Bill 2, which would establish regional building codes for factory-built (manufactured/modular) structures statewide. County planning staff shared technical concerns that a one-size-fits-all regional code could conflict with local needs in high-snowpack or mountainous areas. The county representative said CCAT incorporated many of the county's concerns into its proposed amendments and expected to vote on an amended position at an upcoming meeting.
Commissioners also discussed a bill referred to in the meeting as the "YIGBY" bill, which addresses housing development tied to faith organizations. The county raised two principal concerns: that the legislation could enable discrimination by religious institutions and that it could give school districts authority to bypass local planning processes. Commissioners said some counties plan to oppose the bill while others prefer amendment; the county's representatives said they leaned toward a "do not support" posture but would consider political strategy within CCAT/CCI.
Separately, commissioners flagged a House bill described in the meeting as "house bill 25 10 40" that would statutorily define nuclear energy as a clean energy source. Commissioners expressed several questions about the bill's scope, including its application to public utilities, treatment of assessed values, and the absence of language addressing nuclear waste disposal. One commissioner planned to speak with the bill sponsor to seek clarification.
County representatives also noted CCI will meet with a governor's office representative on modular home legislation; county participants planned to tune in and provide technical feedback. No formal county-level ordinance or vote on the bills was recorded at the work session; commissioners indicated county delegates to CCAT and CCI will participate in the regional discussions and possible votes.
