SB 22-104

Senate Bill 22-104, which has been signed into law, ensures that tribal nations in Colorado can receive state grants and benefits just like other local government entities. The bill requires the state to include Native American tribes when setting up or updating grant programs. It also asks for reports from legislative staff and the Colorado Commission on Indian Affairs to identify ways to involve tribal governments more in state operations and programs, such as through partnerships. This affects tribal nations and the state agencies that manage grants and benefits. Since it's signed, this law is now active and will impact how state grant programs are structured going forward.

Official Summary

The act requires new and amended state statutes that enumerate or define local government entities or agencies that are eligible for state grant or benefit programs to also designate tribal nations with jurisdiction in Colorado as eligible recipients if legal and appropriate. The legislative council staff is required to submit a report to the legislative council by December 1, 2022, identifying state grant programs in statute and whether those programs include tribal governments as eligible recipients. The office of the Colorado commission on Indian affairs is required, in consultation with the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, to submit a report to the legislative council by March 1, 2023, identifying opportunities for tribal governments to be included in the operations or programs of the state as a partner, assessing whether the Colorado commission on Indian affairs can facilitate or provide those opportunities, and recommending other ways for the state to facilitate or provide those opportunities. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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