SB 22-012

Senate Bill 22-012 requires the state archivist to work with History Colorado to create a permanent public display of the original Colorado Constitution in the state capitol building and other government buildings. This ensures that the document is displayed safely and according to best practices for preserving historical documents. Additionally, the bill mandates an online exhibition of the constitution, making it easily searchable and accessible to everyone on the internet. The bill has been signed into law, meaning these requirements are now in effect and being implemented by the state archivist and History Colorado.

Official Summary

On or before February 28, 2023, the state archivist is required to submit to the state capitol building advisory committee a proposal for the creation of a permanent public display of the original Colorado constitution in the state capitol building. The proposal must also include a proposal for displaying the original Colorado constitution in other state government buildings. The state archivist is required to collaborate with History Colorado to ensure adherence to the best practices when presenting the original Colorado constitution in the existing environmental conditions of the state capitol and other government buildings. History Colorado is also required to advise and consult with the state archivist regarding the creation of an appropriate display that will safeguard the original draft of the Colorado constitution. The state capitol building advisory committee is required to evaluate and consider whether to approve the proposal in accordance with the criteria for placing displays within the state capitol building and in accordance with best practices for displaying historic documents in a manner that safeguards the documents against deterioration. The state archivist, in partnership with history Colorado, is required to create an online exhibition of the Colorado constitution. The exhibition must include educational opportunities and history and must ensure that the electronic copy of each version of the Colorado constitution is available to the public in a searchable format through the website of the office of the state archives and history Colorado. The state archivist may contract with an online exhibit design company to determine the best practices when presenting the Colorado constitution in an educational format that is easily accessible and user-friendly for the general population of the state. The exhibit design company may coordinate as necessary with the state archivist, history Colorado, the office of legislative legal services, the secretary of state's office, and other relevant government agencies in the creation of the online exhibition. The state archivist, in partnership with history Colorado, is also required to create opportunities to provide updated physical copies of the constitution or other educational opportunities related to the updated physical copy of the Colorado constitution within state offices. The state archivist and history Colorado are required to ensure that the constitution will be easily accessible and user-friendly for the general population of the state. The state archives is authorized to solicit, accept, and expend bequests, gifts, grants, or donations for the purposes of the act. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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