SB 25-055

Senate Bill 25-055, also known as the Youth Involvement in Environmental Justice Act, adds youth representation to an advisory board focused on environmental justice issues. The bill includes one voting and one nonvoting member between the ages of 14 and 21 who will help advise on how to reduce harmful environmental effects on communities that are disproportionately impacted. Additionally, it requires the Colorado Energy Office to create guidelines for schools to adopt clean energy resources by December 31, 2025, and keep these guidelines updated regularly. This bill has been signed into law, meaning its provisions will now be implemented as stated.

Official Summary

The environmental justice advisory board in the department of public health and environment (advisory board) advises the environmental justice ombudsperson, develops recommendations related to adverse environmental effects on disproportionately impacted communities, and supports the implementation of a grant program to finance environmental mitigation projects. The act adds to the advisory board a voting youth member and a nonvoting youth member, which members are between 14 and 21 years of age. The act also requires the Colorado energy office (office), on or before December 31, 2025, to develop and post on its website best practices for the adoption and financing of clean energy resources in schools. The office is required to periodically update the best practices and post the updates on its website. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Votes