Bill to Streamline Sustainability Practices, Help Colorado Reach Climate Goals Clears Senate

Legislation would create the Office of Sustainability to coordinate efforts to implement Colorado’s climate goals

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate approved Senators Chris Hansen, D-Denver, and Lisa Cutter’s, D-Jefferson County, legislation to create the Office of Sustainability to coordinate efforts to implement Colorado’s climate goals.

“Colorado has passed nation leading policy in recent years to set reasonable and reachable climate goals and put us on a path to a sustainable future,” said Hansen. “With the many policies we’ve passed, there are a number of agencies and offices working independently towards the same goals. The Colorado Office of Sustainability will ensure these many moving parts are working in concert to implement our climate goals, reduce emissions, and put our state on a path to climate sustainability for generations to come.”

“From my first day as a legislator, I've worked on sustainability issues,” Cutter said. "It is critical that we fully support and employ in state agencies the practices that align with our goals and values as a state. From coordinating efforts on sustainable infrastructure projects to leveraging federal funding available for sustainable practices, the Office of Sustainability will be a critical asset as we continue our work to achieve Colorado’s climate goals. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to join Senator Hansen on this important bill.”

SB24-214 would create the Office of Sustainability within the Department of Personnel and Administration to streamline sustainability practices across state agencies. The office would be charged with:

• Facilitating sustainable infrastructure projects with other state agencies, such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure, energy efficiency, and waste diversion;

• Saving water, including through xeriscaping and native plant landscaping;

• Developing baseline metrics for reducing negative environmental impacts;

• Setting goals for state government;

• Tracking financial savings from implementation of sustainability policies; and

• Seeking federal funding to support sustainability practices.

The bill would also create the Sustainability Revolving Fund for the office to replace state owned gas- and diesel-powered equipment located in the ozone nonattainment area on the Front Range.

SB24-214 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.