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Senate approves bill to strengthen assistance for coal transition communities
Summary
Senate Bill 37 passed after amendments to improve timelines, add performance reporting and give preference to tier‑1 coal transition communities in certain DOLA grants; sponsors said the bill clarifies and accelerates aid for communities facing coal plant closures.
The Colorado Senate on Feb. 19 approved SB37, a bill sponsors said will make the Office of Just Transition more responsive to communities impacted by coal plant and mine closures and align grant timelines with known closure schedules.
Senator Roberts, a sponsor, said the bill will help tier‑1 transition communities by improving transparency, timelines and grant priorities. The Senate adopted a series of technical and substantive amendments on the floor, including L006 (adding a SMART Act reporting requirement), L007 (adjusting grant deadlines to align with closures), L008 (allowing DOLA to establish a preference for tier‑1 communities when awarding Energy Impact Assistance Fund grants), and L009 (a safety clause to align grant start dates with fiscal year timing).
Supporters said the changes follow input from local officials and the Joint Budget Committee’s outreach to affected areas. “This bill makes the office more accountable, more transparent, and more responsive to local needs,” Senator Roberts said after amendment debate.
Senator Kirk‑Meyer and other sponsors emphasized that community leaders had reported frustration with the pace and clarity of existing just‑transition programs and that the bill addresses timelines, transparency and grant preference to better deliver assistance.
The Senate adopted the amendments on the floor and passed the bill. Sponsors said the measure will not itself appropriate new funds but will change administration of some existing grant programs to prioritize communities with the greatest need and improve reporting and application timelines.
The bill’s final form directs offices and departments to adjust grant award criteria and reporting procedures; sponsors described the changes as technical but consequential for communities already in transition.
