HB 18-1297

HB 18-1297, also known as the Climate Change Preparedness and Resiliency bill, sets goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Colorado. It aims to cut statewide emissions by 26% compared to 2005 levels by 2025 and decrease carbon dioxide from electricity generation by 25% by 2025 and further by 30% by 2030, relative to 2012 levels. The bill also establishes a resiliency office within the state government that will study the economic impacts of climate change and develop strategies to help local communities become more resilient. With $432,345 allocated for this initiative, the bill is now signed into law and its provisions are being implemented.

Official Summary

The bill adopts the following greenhouse gas emission reduction goals: Statewide greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced by 26% by 2025 when compared with 2005 levels; and Carbon dioxide emissions from electrical generation, when compared with 2012 levels, should be reduced by 25% by 2025 and by 30% by 2030. The Colorado resiliency and recovery office in the division of local government in the department of local affairs is required to, on an ongoing basis: Collect and analyze data regarding the economic and environmental impacts of not addressing climate change and calculate the economic costs of climate change; Develop a model to estimate the future impacts of climate change on Colorado; Analyze the results of the modeling on regional and Colorado-specific climatic conditions currently and the expected future conditions under a variety of climate change scenarios; Update the Colorado resiliency framework, taking into account the goals, the rules, and the data and analysis; and Develop tools and resources to support locally led climate resilience initiatives. The bill appropriates $432,345 and 1.6 FTE to the department of local affairs for use by the Colorado resiliency and recovery office to implement the act. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More

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