Senate Transportation & Energy Committee Advances Bills to Promote Clean Energy, Reduce Emissions in Colorado

Legislation would incentive use of clean energy appliances, improve popular program providing free transit during ozone season

DENVER, CO – The Senate Transportation and Energy Committee today advanced a pair of bills to promote the use of clean energy appliances and improve the popular Ozone Season Free Transit Grant Program, better known as Zero Fare for Better Air.

HB23-1134, sponsored by Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, would require home warranty contracts to include an option to replace gas-fueled appliances with electric models.

“Colorado homeowners are looking for cost-effective ways to reduce their carbon footprints and lead eco-friendly lives,” Cutter said. "This bill allows homeowners new opportunities to update their broken gas appliances with clean, electric powered appliances of their choosing. By making the simple switch to include this option in home warranty contracts, Coloradans will soon have more flexibility to make eco-friendly decisions and reduce harmful indoor emissions.”

In cases where the replacement appliance costs more than the original appliance, the homeowner may be required to pay the difference. Covered appliances include stoves, ovens, furnaces, HVAC systems, and water heaters.

HB23-1101, sponsored by Senator Faith Winter, D-Westminster, improves the Ozone Season Free Transit Grant Program, established last year, which provided free transit days during ozone season. This bill improves the program by allowing transit agencies to use grant funding during different months to account for regional differences in ozone seasons. The bill also allows transit agencies to rollover leftover funding to make an impact in future years, and to use the funding for outreach, education, and rider surveys, to better understand the program’s impact on transportation choices.

“Last year’s Zero Fare for Better Air program was extremely successful and resulted in increased transit ridership across the state,” said Winter. “This year, we’re building on that success by making new improvements to the program. I’m proud to champion House Bill 1101, which will encourage transit ridership, reduce harmful emissions, and help us further our climate goals while giving Colorado families cleaner, healthier air to breathe.”

Last year, the Zero Fare for Better Air program resulted in a 22 percent ridership increase over July 2022 and a 36 percent jump from August 2021.

Both HB23-1134 and HB23-1101 now head to the Senate floor for further consideration, you can follow their progress here and here.