HB 25-1198

House Bill 25-1198 establishes a Regional Planning Roundtable Commission within the Department of Local Affairs in Colorado. The commission, made up of 21 appointed members who serve three-year terms (with some serving two years initially), will help local governments address regional issues by defining affected areas, suggesting participants for roundtables, and identifying state resources to assist them. The bill requires the Department of Local Affairs to secure funding through grants or donations before the commission can be formed and begin its work. Since it has been signed into law, this means that once the necessary funds are secured, the commission will start operating to support regional planning efforts across Colorado.

Official Summary

The act creates the regional planning roundtable commission (commission) within the department of local affairs (department). The commission is a 21-member appointed board with members who serve 3-year terms; except that specified members serve initial terms of 2 years. After an initial meeting to elect a chair and establish its procedures and operation framework, the commission will only meet when a local government requests assistance in addressing a regional opportunity or challenge. In so meeting, the commission shall: Define a region for purposes of establishing a regional roundtable to assist in addressing the regional opportunity or challenge; Considering local expertise, suggest who should serve on the regional roundtable established in connection with addressing the regional opportunity or challenge; and Identify state resources available to assist in addressing the regional opportunity or challenge. The commission may also assist in establishing an integrated planning framework that considers, at a minimum, specified topics. The commission must annually report to specified committees of the general assembly regarding any assistance that it has provided to local governments. The act allows the department to seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations to cover the costs of implementing the act. Only after the department has received sufficient gifts, grants, or donations to implement the act is the commission created and able to meet. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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