SIGNED! Donovan's Bill to Establish Annual Native American Tribal Address Becomes Law

New law aims to build stronger partnership between Colorado Tribes and the state

DENVER, CO – Today, Governor Jared Polis signed a bill sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Kerry Donovan (D-Vail) into law that will require the General Assembly to invite state Tribes to make an annual address during a joint session between the Senate and the House.

“Colorado will be the first state in the country to invite our Tribal leaders to the capitol to address the needs of their communities,” said Donovan. “Tribes are our partners, and they shouldn’t be left standing on the sidelines when policy is being developed and implemented. This bill provides the perfect foundation to start building that relationship.”

SB22-105 seeks to improve communication between Tribal governments and the state legislature. The Senate President and the Speaker of the House will be required to extend an invitation to representatives of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe to deliver an annual address to a joint session of the General Assembly.

This new law will provide an opportunity to elevate the Tribe's needs and accomplishments on a yearly basis, and is part of Senator Donovan’s commitment to building a stronger partnership between Colorado’s federally recognized Tribes and the state of Colorado.