SB 23-006

Senate Bill 23-006 creates the Rural Opportunity Office in Colorado, which will coordinate rural economic development efforts across the state. The office will work with communities that are transitioning from coal-based economies and recommend policies for the governor on how to support rural areas. It also aims to track its success and help ensure more funding goes to rural communities. Starting August 7, 2023, $299,193 will be allocated from the state budget to get this office up and running. The bill has been signed into law by the governor.

Official Summary

The act codifies the rural opportunity office (office), which began its work in the office of economic development in 2019. The director of the office is designated by and reports to the director of the office of economic development. The office is required to serve as Colorado's central coordinator of rural economic development matters with certain staff physically located in rural communities across Colorado, work with coal transitioning communities to explore unique business and economic development opportunities, make recommendations that inform the governor's policy on rural economic development matters, and measure the success of program outreach and determine whether Colorado's rural communities receive more statewide funding as a result of the efforts of the office. For the 2023-24 state fiscal year, $299,193 is appropriated from the general fund to the office of the governor for use by economic development programs for implementation of the act. APPROVED by Governor May 20, 2023 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2023 NOTE: This act was passed without a safety clause and takes effect 90 days after sine die.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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