Second Regular Session
Seventy-third General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED
LLS NO. 22-1001.01 Chelsea Princell x4335
HOUSE BILL 22-1377
House Committees Senate Committees
Transportation & Local Government
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING THE CREATION OF THE CONNECTING COLORADANS101
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WITH SERVICES , TREATMENT,102
AND HOUSING SUPPORTS GRANT PROGRAM .103
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov/
.)
The bill creates the connecting Coloradans experiencing
homelessness with services, treatment, and housing supports grant
program (grant program), administered by the division of housing
(division) in the department of local affairs (department).
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Woodrow and Exum,
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Kolker and Gonzales,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing statute.
Dashes through the words indicate deletions from existing statute. The grant program provides grants to local governments and
nonprofit organizations to enable those entities to make investments and
improvements in their communities or regions of the state to address and
respond to the needs of people experiencing homelessness.
The bill requires the division to develop policies, procedures, and
guidelines governing the administration of the grant program. The bill
specifies how grant funding is to be awarded and the eligible uses of grant
money awarded under the grant program. The bill specifies requirements
for grant recipients.
The bill creates the connecting Coloradans experiencing
homelessness with services, treatment, and housing supports fund (fund)
in the department. The bill specifies requirements pertaining to the
administration of the fund. The bill requires a transfer of $105 million
from the economic recovery and relief cash fund to the fund to administer
the grant program.
The bill sets forth specified reporting requirements pertaining to
the grant program.
The bill requires the department, in conjunction with the
department of health care policy and financing, to report to the house of
representatives public and behavioral health and human services
committee and the senate health and human services committee, and to
its committee of reference during its "State Measurement for
Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act"
hearing, any results, recommendations, and federal implications
concerning any supportive housing pilot program currently being
administered by the department in conjunction with the department of
health care policy and financing.
The bill requires the division to report on the activities of the grant
program as part of the regular annual public report prepared by the
division on affordable and emergency housing spending.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly2
finds, determines, and declares that:3
(a) The state of Colorado is focused on supporting communities4
to create proven responses to homelessness that are designed to connect5
people without stable housing to services, care, and housing to help6
ensure that when homelessness occurs, it is rare and brief, and that no one7
gets left behind;8
HB22-1377-2- (b) The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated Colorado's1
homelessness and behavioral health crisis. Many communities do not2
have sufficient responses to address housing and behavioral health needs3
for their community members.4
(c) People experiencing homelessness with chronic behavioral5
health issues face many challenges in accessing long-term treatment and6
are far more likely to receive care in hospital emergency departments.7
Without trained and dedicated providers or advocates, people8
experiencing homelessness often end up in a cycle of expensive treatment9
with little or no follow-up.10
(d) Housing and support services are crucial for the safety, health,11
and well-being of Coloradans. Extensive research shows that housing is12
an essential social determinant of health. Stable housing improves health13
outcomes and decreases health-care costs.14
(2) Therefore, it is the intent of the general assembly to facilitate15
investments in local communities across the state of Colorado to quickly16
connect people experiencing homelessness with services, treatment, and17
temporary and permanent housing to put them on a path to economic18
self-sufficiency.19
(3) The general assembly further finds and declares that the grant20
program described in this act is an important government service.21
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 24-32-726 as22
follows:23
24-32-726. Connecting Coloradans experiencing homelessness24
with services, treatment, and housing supports grant program -25
funding - report - definitions - repeal. (1) Definitions. A
S USED IN THIS26
SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :27
HB22-1377
-3- (a) "COMMUNITY PARTNER" MEANS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION1
THAT UNDERTAKES ANY OF THE ACTIVITIES OR SERVICES DESCRIBED IN2
SUBSECTION (2)(c) OF THIS SECTION.3
(b) "D
EPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL AFFAIRS .4
(c) "E
LIGIBLE RECIPIENT" MEANS A LOCAL GOVERNMENT OR A5
COMMUNITY PARTNER THAT APPLIES FOR A GRANT THROUGH THE GRANT6
PROGRAM.7
(d) "F
UND" MEANS THE CONNECTING COLORADANS EXPERIENCING8
HOMELESSNESS WITH SERVICES , TREATMENT, AND HOUSING SUPPORTS9
FUND CREATED IN SUBSECTION (5)(a) OF THIS SECTION.10
(e) "G
RANT PROGRAM" MEANS THE CONNECTING COLORADANS11
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WITH SERVICES , TREATMENT, AND HOUSING12
SUPPORTS GRANT PROGRAM CREATED IN SUBSECTION (2)(a) OF THIS13
SECTION.14
(f) "L
OCAL GOVERNMENT" MEANS A COUNTY, MUNICIPALITY, CITY15
AND COUNTY, TRIBAL GOVERNMENT , SPECIAL DISTRICT ORGANIZED16
PURSUANT TO TITLE 32, SCHOOL DISTRICT, DISTRICT, HOUSING AUTHORITY,17
COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS , REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION18
ORGANIZED PURSUANT TO TITLE 30, OR ANY OTHER POLITICAL19
SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE.20
(g) "M
ATCH" MEANS MONETARY AND NONMONETARY21
CONTRIBUTIONS TO A PROJECT.22
(2) Creation of the grant program - projects or programs23
eligible for funding. (a) T
HERE IS CREATED IN THE DIVISION THE24
CONNECTING COLORADANS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WITH25
SERVICES, TREATMENT, AND HOUSING SUPPORTS GRANT PROGRAM TO26
PROVIDE GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS TO ENABLE THEM TO MAKE27
HB22-1377
-4- INVESTMENTS OR IMPROVEMENTS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES OR REGIONS OF1
THE STATE TO:2
(I)
QUICKLY CONNECT PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS TO3
SERVICES, TREATMENT, AND TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT HOUSING IN4
ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION ; AND5
(II)
ENSURE COLORADO HAS A COMMUNITY -BASED CONTINUUM OF6
RESPONSES FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS , INCLUDING7
EMERGENCY SHELTERS , TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, RECOVERY CARE AND8
RELATED RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS , AND PERMANENT HOUSING WITH9
WRAPAROUND SERVICES .10
(b) T
HE DIVISION SHALL ADMINISTER THE GRANT PROGRAM .11
(c) T
HE DIVISION MAY AWARD GRANTS UNDER THE GRANT12
PROGRAM TO SUPPORT ELIGIBLE RECI PIENTS IN PROJECTS OR PROGRAMS13
THAT:14
(I) P
ROVIDE GAP FINANCING FOR THE PURCHASE OR CONVERSION15
OF UNDERUTILIZED PROPERTIES IN COMMUNITIES WHERE EFFORTS HAVE16
BEEN MADE TO ENCOURAGE CONVERSION OF UNDERUTILIZED PROPERTIES17
INTO TRANSITIONAL OR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING THAT PROVIDES18
WRAPAROUND SERVICES ;19
(II) P
ROVIDE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES SO LONG AS THE SUPPORTIVE20
SERVICES MEET THE GRANT PROGRAM GOALS OUTLINED IN SUBSECTION (4)21
OF THIS SECTION. SUCH SUPPORTIVE SERVICES INCLUDE THOSE DESCRIBED22
IN 42 CFR 578.53 AND THOSE DETERMINED BY THE DIVISION. FUNDS MAY23
BE USED TO PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES IN CONJUNCTION WITH24
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS OR AS25
STANDALONE SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED TO AN INDIVIDUAL THROUGH26
A SERVICE PROVIDER.27
HB22-1377
-5- (III) INVEST IN DATA COLLECTION, MANAGEMENT, AND ANALYSIS1
PROCESSES AND EXPAND OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS TO2
PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS , PARTICULARLY UNSHELTERED3
HOMELESSNESS, TO UNDERSTAND THE SCALE OF THE NEED THROUGHOUT4
THE STATE AND WHETHER THE ACTIVITIES AND INVESTMENTS THROUGH5
THIS GRANT PROGRAM ARE EFFECTIVE AT REDUCING THE NUMBER OF6
PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ;7
(IV) S
UPPORT COORDINATION SYSTEMS TO HELP CONNECT PEOPLE8
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WITH SERVICES AND PROGRAMS THAT BEST9
FIT THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS; AND10
(V) F
UND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND HOMELESS11
RESPONSE PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO :12
(A) E
MERGENCY HOMELESS SHELTERS ;13
(B) T
RANSITIONAL AND BRIDGE HOUSING ;14
(C) L
ONG-TERM HOUSING;15
(D) P
ERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING WITH SUPPORTIVE16
SERVICES; AND17
(E) R
ECOVERY CARE AND RELATED RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS .18
(d) I
N ORDER TO RECEIVE A GRANT, AN ELIGIBLE RECIPIENT MUST19
PROVIDE A MATCH.20
(3) Policies, procedures, and guidelines. (a) T
HE DIVISION21
SHALL DEVELOP POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND GUIDELINES FOR THE GRANT22
PROGRAM THAT, WITHOUT LIMITATION:23
(I)
DETERMINE HOW GRANTS F UNDED BY THE GRANT PROGRAM24
MUST BE USED;25
(II) E
STABLISH CRITERIA THAT THE DIVISION MUST CONSIDER IN26
AWARDING GRANTS PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION . AT A MINIMUM, THE27
HB22-1377
-6- CRITERIA MUST INCLUDE THE CONSIDERATION OF :1
(A) T
HE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF A PROJECT THAT AN ELIGIBLE2
RECIPIENT FUNDS WITH A GRANT AWARD AND HOW THE PROJECT MEETS3
THE GOALS OF THE GRANT PROGRAM ; AND4
(B) B
EST PRACTICES, DATA, AND REGIONAL AND LOCAL5
COLLABORATION.6
(III) E
STABLISH THE PROCEDURES AND TIMELINES BY WHICH AN7
ELIGIBLE RECIPIENT MAY APPLY FOR A GRANT ;8
(IV) R
EQUIRE GRANT RECIPIENTS TO OFFER A MATCH ;9
(V) R
EQUIRE ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS TO DEMONSTRATE HOW THE10
GRANT FUNDS WILL BE USED TO INCREASE HOUSING AND ECONOMIC11
SECURITY FOR INDIVIDUALS BEING SERVED THROUGH THE GRANT12
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES AND EFFORTS ;13
(VI) E
STABLISH REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANT14
RECIPIENTS;15
(VII) E
STABLISH PERFORMANCE CRITERIA FOR GRANT RECIPIENTS '16
PROJECTS;17
(VIII) P
ROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS THAT THE18
DIVISION DEEMS NECESSARY TO ADMINISTER THE GRANT PROGRAM ; AND19
(IX) D
EMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO LEVERAGE PRIVATE CAPITAL ,20
WHEN POSSIBLE.21
(b) N
OTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS SECTION ,22
THE AMOUNT OF ANY GRANT AWARDED UNDER THE GRANT PROGRAM AND23
ANY RESTRICTIONS OR CONDITIONS PLACED UPON THE USE OF GRANT24
MONEY AWARDED IS WITHIN THE DISCRETION OF THE DIVISION IN25
ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION .26
(4) Grant program goals. T
HE GRANT PROGRAM MUST BE27
HB22-1377
-7- ADMINISTERED WITH THE GOAL OF REDUCING THE RATE OF HOMELESSNESS1
BY SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT ADEQUATE2
SUPPORT SYSTEMS TO EFFECTIVELY RESPOND TO THE STRUGGLES PEOPLE3
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS FACE .4
(5) Connecting Coloradans experiencing homelessness with5
services, treatment, and housing supports fund - transfer of money6
to the fund - appropriation. (a) T
HE CONNECTING COLORADANS7
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WITH SERVICES , TREATMENT, AND HOUSING8
SUPPORTS FUND IS CREATED IN THE DEPARTMENT . THE FUND CONSISTS OF9
MONEY TRANSFERRED TO THE FUND IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION10
(5)(c)
OF THIS SECTION; MONEY APPROPRIATED TO THE FUND BY THE11
GENERAL ASSEMBLY; AND ANY GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FROM ANY12
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SOURCES, INCLUDING GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES, THAT13
THE DIVISION IS AUTHORIZED TO SEEK AND ACCEPT .14
(b) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL CREDIT ALL INTEREST AND INCOME15
DERIVED FROM THE DEPOSIT AND INVESTMENT OF MONEY IN THE FUND TO16
THE FUND. ALL MONEY NOT EXPENDED OR ENCUMBERED , AND ALL17
INTEREST EARNED ON THE INVESTMENT OR DEPOSIT OF MONEY IN THE18
FUND, REMAINS IN THE FUND AND DOES NOT REVERT TO THE GENERAL19
FUND OR ANY OTHER FUND AT THE END OF ANY FISCAL YEAR . THE MONEY20
IN THE FUND IS CONTINUOUSLY APPROPRIATED TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR21
THE PURPOSES SPECIFIED IN THIS SECTION.22
(c) T
HE DIVISION MAY SEEK, ACCEPT, AND EXPEND GIFTS, GRANTS,23
OR DONATIONS FROM ANY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE RESOURCE FOR THE24
PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION. THE DIVISION SHALL TRANSMIT ALL MONEY25
RECEIVED FROM GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT, AND26
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CREDIT THE MONEY TO THE FUND .27
HB22-1377
-8- (d) ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION , OR AS SOON AS1
PRACTICABLE THEREAFTER, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL APPROPRIATE2
TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE PURPOSES OF IMPLEMENTING THIS SECTION3
ONE HUNDRED FIVE MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE ECONOMIC RELIEF AND4
RECOVERY CASH FUND CREATED IN SECTION 24-75-228 TO THE FUND. THE5
MONEY APPROPRIATED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION (5)(d) MUST ONLY6
BE USED FOR:7
(I) M
AKING GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS PURSUANT TO THE8
GRANT PROGRAM; AND9
(II) T
HE COSTS OF ADMINISTERING THE GRANT PROGRAM AS MAY10
BE INCURRED BY THE DIVISION. THE DIVISION MAY EXPEND UP TO SEVEN11
PERCENT OF THE MONEY APPROPRIATED OR TRANSFERRED TO THE FUND TO12
PAY FOR THE DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS IN ADMINISTERING THE GRANT13
PROGRAM. ALL ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS MUST BE PAID OUT OF THE MONEY14
TRANSFERRED TO THE FUND PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION (5)(d)(II).15
(e) M
ONEY SPENT PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION (5)(e) MUST16
CONFORM WITH THE ALLOWABLE PURPOSES SET FORTH IN THE FEDERAL17
"A
MERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021", PUB.L. 117-2, AS AMENDED.18
T
HE DIVISION SHALL SPEND OR OBLIGATE SUCH APPROPRIATION PRIOR TO19
D
ECEMBER 30, 2024, AND EXPEND THE APPROPRIATION ON OR BEFORE20
D
ECEMBER 31, 2026.21
(f) T
HE EXPENDITURES MADE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION22
CONSTITUTE GOVERNMENT SERVICES .23
(g) T
HIS SUBSECTION (5) IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 31,24
2026.25
(6) Reporting. (a) T
HE DIVISION SHALL INCLUDE IN THE PUBLIC26
REPORT THE DIVISION PREPARES IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION27
HB22-1377
-9- 24-32-705.5 (1) INFORMATION SUMMARIZING THE USE OF ALL THE MONEY1
THAT WAS AWARDED AS GRANTS FR OM THE GRANT PROGRAM IN THE2
PRECEDING STATE FISCAL YEAR. AT A MINIMUM, THE INFORMATION MUST3
SPECIFY:4
(I) T
HE NUMBER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OR COMMUNITY5
PARTNERS THAT APPLIED FOR A GRANT, INCLUDING THE NUMBER OF LOCAL6
GOVERNMENTS OR COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT WERE NOT AWARDED A7
GRANT;8
(II) T
HE AMOUNT OF THE GRANT MONEY DISTRIBUTED TO EACH9
GRANT RECIPIENT;10
(III) A
DESCRIPTION OF EACH GRANT RECIPIENT 'S USE OF THE11
GRANT MONEY;12
(IV) H
OW THE USE OF THE GRANT AWARDED FURTHERED THE13
GOALS OF THE GRANT PROGRAM DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (4) OF THIS14
SECTION; AND15
(V) R
ECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING FURTHER ADMINISTRATION16
OF THE GRANT PROGRAM.17
(b) T
HE DIVISION AND ANY ENTITY THAT RECEIVES MONEY FROM18
THE DIVISION SHALL COMPLY WITH THE COMPLIANCE , REPORTING,19
RECORD-KEEPING, AND PROGRAM EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS20
ESTABLISHED BY THE OFFICE OF STATE PLANNING AND BUDGETING AND21
THE STATE CONTROLLER IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 24-75-226 (5).22
(c) I
N THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THE DEPARTMENT, IN23
CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CARE POLICY AND24
FINANCING, SHALL SHARE ANY RESULTS , RECOMMENDATIONS , AND25
FEDERAL IMPLICATIONS CONCERNING ANY CURRENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING26
PILOT PROGRAMS BEING ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND27
HB22-1377
-10- DIVISION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CARE POLICY AND FINANCING1
AS PART OF ITS "STATE MEASUREMENT FOR ACCOUNTABLE, RESPONSIVE,2
AND TRANSPARENT (SMART) GOVERNMENT ACT" HEARING PURSUANT3
TO SECTION 2-7-203. IN THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THE DEPARTMENT4
AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CARE POLICY AND FINANCING SHALL5
SUBMIT A REPORT DETAILING ANY SUCH RESULTS , RECOMMENDATIONS,6
AND FEDERAL IMPLICATIONS CONCERNING ANY CURRENT SUPPORTIVE7
HOUSING PILOT PROGRAMS BEING OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND8
DIVISION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CARE POLICY AND FINANCING9
TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PUBLIC AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH10
AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE AND THE SENATE HEALTH AND HUMAN11
SERVICES COMMITTEE, OR ANY SUCCESSOR COMMITTEES .12
(7) Repeal. T
HIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2027.13
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-32-705, amend14
(7) as follows:15
24-32-705. Functions of division. (7) The division shall16
administer:17
(a) The affordable housing guided toolkit and local officials guide18
program in accordance with section 24-32-721.5
SECTION 24-32-721.7;19
AND20
(b) T
HE CONNECTING COLORADANS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS21
WITH SERVICES, TREATMENT, AND HOUSING SUPPORTS GRANT PROGRAM22
CREATED IN SECTION 24-32-726.23
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-32-705.5, add24
(3.5) as follows:25
24-32-705.5. Annual public report on funding of affordable26
housing preservation and production - definition. (3.5) F
OR THE27
HB22-1377
-11- PUBLIC REPORT REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION, THE1
DIVISION SHALL INCLUDE IN THE REPORT FOR EACH YEAR OF THE2
CONNECTING COLORADANS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WITH3
SERVICES, TREATMENT, AND HOUSING SUPPORTS GRANT PROGRAM 'S4
OPERATION, THE INFORMATION REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION5
24-32-726.6
SECTION 5. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,7
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate8
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety.9
HB22-1377
-12-