HB 18-1058

House Bill 18-1058, titled "Financial Assistance For County Jails And Courts," aims to provide financial support for county jails and courthouses in Colorado. The bill updates the existing commission's name and responsibilities, allowing it to offer grants and low-interest loans not only for court facilities but also for jail improvements. This means counties can now receive up to 50% of their annual debt payments for constructing or remodeling both courts and jails through these grants. Since the bill has been signed into law, counties are now eligible to apply for this financial assistance to address overcrowding and other critical needs in their facilities.

Official Summary

County Courthouse and County Jail Funding and Overcrowding Solutions Interim Study Committee. Current law tasks the underfunded courthouse facility cash fund commission to evaluate grant applications and issue grants to counties for underfunded courthouse facilities through master planning services, matching funds or leverage grant funding opportunities, or for addressing emergency needs due to the imminent closure of a court facility. The bill changes the name of the commission and the fund and expands the responsibilities of the commission to include jails in addition to court facilities. Additionally, the bill allows grants to be issued for up to 50% of a county's annual voter-approved debt service on any county-approved financing of the construction or remodeling costs of a court or jail facility. The bill also creates a low-interest loan program to be administered by the commission whereby counties may apply for low-interest loans to finance the capital construction or remodeling costs of a court or jail facility. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) Read More