Policy & Initiatives
2023 Legislative Priorities
2023 Legislative Priorities
CCI priorities for the 2023 Legislative Session include the following:
Currently, kin who have been convicted of certain offenses are
disqualified from being considered as a potential placement option
for kids in the child welfare system. Amend C.R.S. 19-3-406 &
C.R.S. 19-3-407 to clarify the convictions that disqualify someone from consideration, to reflect new crimes that have been added over the years, and – in some cases – to specify timeframes for convictions.
CCI Staff: Gini Pingenot
Final Status: Signed by Governor
Under current application of the Equal Pay Act (C.R.S. 8-5-201), employers must post a job notification on their website when an employee receives a promotion in an existing role or class of job. This places an extra administrative burden on Human Resources and is unnecessary for those progressing along a pre-defined advancement track. Seek reforms to the Equal Pay Act relating to job reclassification, auto flex employee advancement and other promotions in order to provide flexibility and relief for organizations that are moving employees along a pre-defined advancement track or updating job descriptions that qualify employees for adjusted compensation.
CCI Staff: Eric Bergman
Final Status: Passed, awaiting Governor’s Signature
Many county-owned landfills closed years or decades ago in accordance with regulations at the time of closure. As the state continues to identify new emerging contaminants, addressing any environmental or public health risks from closed landfills is important. However, because counties are the fiscal agents of county resources and face restraints imposed by the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) to generate additional revenue, counties cannot take on environmental remediation of closed landfills alone. Create a new grant program, or expand an existing one, to provide funding for environmental remediation and maintenance of closed public landfills.
CCI Staff: Reagan Shane
Final Status: Passed, awaiting Governor’s signature
Increased visitation to state parks and wildlife areas is taking a toll on locally maintained roads that service these state assets. Authorize local governments to 1) assess an additional fee on daily vehicle passes, and 2) create a grant fund using dollars over the state’s financial goals for the Keep Colorado Wild pass, to which local governments can apply in order to fund the maintenance of local roads leading directly to state parks and wildlife areas.
CCI Staff: Gini Pingenot
Final Status: Passed, awaiting Governor’s signature
PAST: Legislative Committee Meeting
Friday, October 7
- Goal: selection of Legislative Agenda & approval of 2023 Policy Statement
- Voting Procedures: 65% vote required for adoption; only the county’s designee may vote
PAST: Proposed Issues Discussion
Friday, September 23
- Goal: discuss proposed 2023 issues & proposed edits/additions to policy statement
- Voting Procedures: no votes are taken to forward or remove a proposed issue from consideration
- The proposal’s proponent may request a straw poll to gauge support for the concept
PAST: Proposed 2023 Legislative Issues Discussion
Friday, July 15
- No votes will be taken; discussion/feedback only
- Proponents of each issue will be asked to explain the proposal, field questions and solicit input from their peers
Prop 123 Resources
Proposition 123 - Colorado Affordable Housing Fund
Proposition 123 created the State Affordable Housing Fund, dedicating 40% of funds to the Affordable Housing Support Fund administered by the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and 60% to the Affordable Housing Financing Fund overseen by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) to fund housing programs.
The funding created by Prop 123 is available to local governments, subject to a few requirements they must meet in order to qualify. These requirements include:
- Establishment of a Fast Track process enabling it to provide a final decision for projects where at least 50% of the proposed units are held affordable within ninety calendar days of submission of a complete application. (Note: there are extensions outlined for various circumstances, such as for a review period required by another agency.)
- Commitment to increasing affordable housing by 3% on average annually.
CCI has created this resource page to share the latest updates on Prop 123 implementation and provide resources for counties interested in pursuing Prop 123 funding. You can find further information on these requirements and more below.
WHO PLANS TO QUALIFY?
In February 2023, we conducted a survey in partnership with DOLA to understand where counties currently stand in their plans to qualify (or not) for Prop 123 funding. Some of the results are shown below.
Do you intend to establish a housing commitment and Fast Track review process for affordable housing to qualify for grant funds under Prop 123 by the November 1, 2023, deadline?
If you answered “Uncertain,” what is the cause of uncertainty? What do you still need to know in order to make a decision?
If we are already functioning within a Fast Track review process in which most permits are reviewed in under 90 days, what adjustments do we need to make to qualify?
What exactly does “Fast Track process” mean? What are the definitions of the components of the process (ex. 90 days)? (See below.)
What is the baseline that the 3% increase will be calculated against, and is it measured cumulatively year over year? (See below.)
What methodology should I use/what considerations should I take into account when determining my baseline? (See below.)
ESTABLISHING THE BASELINE
Local governments (municipal or county) are responsible for setting their own baseline and communicating it with DOH. Proposition 123 clarifies that a county’s baseline is only applicable for the unincorporated areas of the county. In order to assist local governments, DOH has tabulated an estimate of what the affordable housing baseline for each jurisdiction may be. This information is a starting point and may be used as reference materials as localities consider their upcoming affordable housing commitments and determine their own baselines.
Click the DOH webpage link below to view more information on determining a baseline, finalizing and communicating the baseline, finalizing a commitment, opportunities for feedback and collaboration, compliance, timeline, and next steps.
THE FAST TRACK PROCESS
We are expecting more information about the Fast Track process, as a number of components (like the 90 days) are yet to be defined.
However, it’s worth noting that the Fast Track process must make it feasible that a completed application could be reviewed in 90 days, but it does not require that all completed applications actually be reviewed in 90 days. The language includes extensions for various circumstances. These extensions include:
- Additional 90 days at the request of a developer.
- Additional 90 days for compliance with state law or court order.
- Additional 90 days for a review period required by another local government or agency, within the local government or outside, for any component of the application requiring that government’s or agency’s approval.
- Extension to allow for the submission of additional information or revisions to an application in response to requests from the local government, not to exceed the amount of time from the request to the submission of the applicant’s response plus 30 days.
ALL RESOURCES
DOLA Prop 123 Implementation Discussion
In early January, DOLA led an implementation update and discussion. You can access the slide deck, which provides an overview of the framework and timeline, below.
Prop 123 Administrator Selection
OEDIT has been keeping the public updates on the selection of the fund administrator.
DOH Prop 123 Webpage – Baselines
The Division of Housing webpage on Prop 123 currently provides information on the baseline measurements that local governments must establish in order to make their 3% commitment.
Psychedelics & Prop 122 Resources
CCI has received a number of inquiries on the decriminalization of psilocybin (mushrooms as well as other substances) and potential impacts on counties.
Implementation of Prop 122 still involves significant uncertainty, resulting in questions and concerns related to
- Local control issues,
- Quantity limits (both for home grows and possession),
- Safety/security standards for home grows, and
- Perhaps enhancing the penalties for repeat offenses or selling to persons under 21.
There is still a lot to research and discuss regarding this measure and CCI will keep commissioners apprised.
If you have specific questions, please reach out to Eric Bergman at ebergman@ccionline.org.
Resources
Psilocybin Session at CCI Summer Conference 2023
Ask Your Doctor if Psilocybin is Right for You The Colorado General Assembly recently passed SB23-290 which implements Proposition 122 (Legalization of Natural Medicines). The bill formally legalizes the use, possession and home growing of various natural medicines and allows for the creation of “healing centers” where individuals can take natural medicine in a controlled and supervised environment. While natural medicines (such as psilocybin and mescaline) have been used for hundreds of years by some indigenous cultures, there is a general societal lack of awareness as to their use and potential mental benefit. This session will provide some background on natural medicines and their uses as well as a brief overview of what the operation of licensed healing centers might look like. Representatives from the Department of Revenue will also discuss the legislation in more detail, including the regulatory framework that is anticipated and licensing regime that will be established going forward.
Proposition 122 Overview (Dec 2022)
During CCI's 2022 Winter Conference, Aaron Carpenter (Legislative Council) provided an overview of the things we know - and the many things we don't know - about Proposition 122 and its implementation.
Time, Manner, & Place Restrictions (Dec 2022)
During CCI's 2022 Winter Conference, Kym Sorrells of Jefferson County reviewed the time, manner, and place restrictions that applying to healing centers under Proposition 122.
Transportation & Telecommunications
Transportation & Telecommunications
Policy Statement
The Transportation and Telecommunications (T+T) section of the CCI policy statement outlines the CCI membership position on federal, state, and local roles in transportation planning and solutions, as well as positions on revenue enhancements, multi-modal transportation, airport development, railroads, telecommunications, and more.
2024 Policy Initiative
- Increase the Cap on CDOT Road Maintenance Projects
- Eliminate Annual Fees for Broadband Providers Using the CDOT Right-of-Way
- Timely Relocation of Utilities in the County Right-of-Way
Past Policy Initiatives
No Transportation & Telecommunication Policy Initiative was chosen.
Legislative Deep Dives Archive
Click here for an archive of all CCI legislative deep dives across all policy areas.
Tourism, Resorts, & Economic Development
Tourism, Resorts, & Economic Development
Policy Statement
The Tourism, Resorts, and Economic Development (TRED) section of the CCI policy statement outlines the CCI membership position on tourism and tourism promotion, economic development, housing and community development, transit, recreation, workforce, federal lands, and more.
2024 Policy Initiatives
Archived Policy Initiatives & Deep Dives
- No Tourism, Resorts, & Economic Development Policy Initiatives were chosen.
Legislative Deep Dives Archive
Click here for an archive of all CCI legislative deep dives across all policy areas.
Taxation & Finance
Taxation & Finance
Policy Statement
The Taxation and Finance (Tax) section of the CCI policy statement outlines the CCI membership position on tax policy, tax increment financing, property tax-funded programs, assessment issues, state funds/TABOR, inmate housing costs, financing growth, and more.
Past Policy Initiatives
Legislative Deep Dives Archive
Click here for an archive of all CCI legislative deep dives across all policy areas.
