Fenberg Introduces Bill to Improve Resiliency, Better Prepare Colorado for Future Climate Emergencies
Legislation would establish the Office of Climate Preparedness and create new programs to facilitate recovery and rebuilding efforts following disaster emergencies
DENVER, CO - Last week, Senate President Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) introduced legislation to support individuals, businesses, and governments rebuilding after disaster emergencies and create an Office of Climate Preparedness in Colorado to better prepare and respond to future disasters.
“Our climate is changing whether we like it or not, and we know we're going to see more frequent and more destructive natural disasters as a result,” said Fenberg. “It’s essential that we act now to prepare for and mitigate future climate-induced disasters, and improve our response to destruction left in their wake. These new programs, alongside the new Office of Climate Preparedness, will help us better coordinate our response and ensure we’re as prepared as possible when the next disaster strikes.”
SB22-206 would establish two programs to help communities recover and rebuild following disasters. $15 million would go to the Disaster Resilience Rebuilding Program to provide loans and grants to homeowners, businesses, and local governments rebuilding after a disaster emergency.
Additionally, Fenberg’s bill allocates $20 million to the Disaster Recovery and Resilience Program to provide loans and grants to homeowners, businesses, and local governments to cover costs related to rebuilding more resilient and energy efficient homes and structures.
The bill would also create the Office of Climate Preparedness in the Governor’s office, tasked with coordinating disaster recovery efforts to better respond to natural disaster emergencies and developing a climate preparedness roadmap to ensure Colorado is better prepared for future climate-induced disasters.
SB22-206 will be heard in the Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee. Track the progress of the bill HERE.