Second Regular Session
Seventy-third General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED
LLS NO. 22-0136.01 Megan Waples x4348
SENATE BILL 22-011
Senate Committees House Committees
State, Veterans, & Military Affairs
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AMERICA 250 - COLORADO101
150
COMMISSION.102
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 America 250 - Colorado 150 commission
(commission) in History Colorado to develop programs and plan for the
official observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United
States and the 150th anniversary of Colorado statehood. The commission
is directed to develop and promote plans for activities between July 1,
2025, and December 31, 2026, including historical activities, publication
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Zenzinger and Coram, Bridges, Donovan, Fenberg, Fields, Garcia, Gardner, Hisey, Jaquez
Lewis, Kolker, Priola, Rankin, Scott, Woodward
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Catlin and Esgar, Boesenecker, Duran, Herod, Hooton, McCluskie, McLachlan, Titone,
Woodrow, Young
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. of historical documents, public ceremonies, educational activities for
Colorado youth, and other commemorative events, to be supported by
comprehensive marketing and tourism campaigns. The commission is
required to identify, celebrate, and build knowledge around the history of
Black communities, Indigenous communities, communities of color, and
women to ensure that the activities planned by the commission represent
the geographic and demographic diversity of the state and to ensure that
events are accessible to communities throughout the state on an equitable
basis. The commission is also authorized to represent the state in official
dealings with the United States semiquincentennial commission and the
America250 foundation.
An advisory panel composed of regional representatives from the
state's tourism districts is created to consult on regional activities
celebrating the history and culture of regions across the state. The
commission is authorized to establish additional subcommittees to assist
the commission in the fulfillment of its duties.
History Colorado is required to annually report on the
commission's activities as part of its "State Measurement for
Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act"
reports. The commission is repealed effective June 30, 2027.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 24-80-215 as2
follows:3
24-80-215. America 250 - Colorado 150 commission - creation4
- powers and duties - report - definitions - repeal. (1) Definitions. A
S5
USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :6
(a) "C
OMMISSION" MEANS THE AMERICA 250 - COLORADO 1507
COMMISSION CREATED IN THIS SECTION.8
(b) "E
XECUTIVE DIRECTOR" MEANS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF9
H
ISTORY COLORADO.10
(c) "H
ISTORY COLORADO" MEANS THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY11
ESTABLISHED IN SECTION 24-80-201.12
(2) Commission created. T
HE AMERICA 250 - COLORADO 15013
COMMISSION IS CREATED IN HISTORY COLORADO TO DEVELOP PROGRAMS14
SB22-011-2- AND PLAN FOR THE OFFICIAL OBSERVANCE ACROSS COLORADO OF THE1
SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE UNITED2
S
TATES, AS MARKED BY THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IN 1776,3
AND THE SESQUICENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF COLORADO STATEHOOD .4
(3) Membership and appointments. (a) T
HE COMMISSION5
CONSISTS OF ELEVEN VOTING MEMBERS AS FOLLOWS :6
(I) T
HE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 'S7
DESIGNEE;8
(II) A
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UTE MOUNTAIN UTE TRIBE,9
DESIGNATED BY THE UTE MOUNTAIN UTE TRIBAL COUNCIL;10
(III) A
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SOUTHERN UTE INDIAN TRIBE,11
DESIGNATED BY THE SOUTHERN UTE TRIBAL COUNCIL;12
(IV) T
HE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT13
ESTABLISHED IN SECTION 24-48.5-101 OR THE DIRECTOR'S DESIGNEE;14
(V) T
HE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION OR THE COMMISSIONER 'S15
DESIGNEE; AND16
(VI) S
IX MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR , AS FOLLOWS:17
(A) O
NE MEMBER REPRESENTING THE COLORADO PHILANTHROPIC18
COMMUNITY;19
(B) O
NE MEMBER REPRESENTING THE COLORADO BUSINESS20
COMMUNITY;21
(C) O
NE MEMBER FROM A LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY OR22
MUSEUM;23
(D) O
NE MEMBER WITH EXPERIENCE IN THE STUDY AND24
DOCUMENTATION OF THE HISTORY OF BLACK COMMUNITIES IN COLORADO;25
(E) O
NE MEMBER WITH EXPERIENCE IN THE STUDY AND26
DOCUMENTATION OF THE HISTORY OF LATINO COMMUNITIES IN27
SB22-011
-3- COLORADO; AND1
(F) O
NE MEMBER WITH EXPERIENCE IN THE STUDY AND2
DOCUMENTATION OF THE HISTORY OF ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES IN3
C
OLORADO.4
(b) T
HE GOVERNOR SHALL MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO THE5
COMMISSION ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2022. IN MAKING6
APPOINTMENTS, THE GOVERNOR SHALL A TTEMPT TO ENSURE THAT THE7
MEMBERS REPRESENT THE GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY OF THE STATE .8
(c) E
ACH APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION SERVES AT THE9
PLEASURE OF THE GOVERNOR . THE TERM OF APPOINTMENT IS FOR THE10
DURATION OF THE COMMISSION 'S EXISTENCE. IN THE EVENT OF A11
VACANCY, THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT A NEW MEMBER FOR THE12
REMAINDER OF THE TERM . AN APPOINTMENT TO FILL A VACANCY IS13
SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH FOR THE VACANT POSITION IN14
THIS SUBSECTION (3).15
(d) T
HE COMMISSION SHALL CHOOSE OFFICERS FROM AMONG ITS16
MEMBERS, INCLUDING TWO CO-CHAIRS. ONE CO-CHAIR SHALL LEAD17
EFFORTS RELATED TO THE SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE ,18
AND ONE CO -CHAIR SHALL LEAD EFFORTS RELATED TO THE19
SESQUICENTENNIAL ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE.20
(e) M
EMBERS OF THE COMMISSION SERVE WITHOUT21
COMPENSATION; EXCEPT THAT EACH MEMBER WHO IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE22
OF THE STATE IS ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR ACTUAL AND23
NECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE DISCHARGE OF THE MEMBER 'S24
OFFICIAL DUTIES.25
(f) M
EMBERS OF THE COMMISSION MAY PARTICIPATE REMOTELY26
IN COMMISSION MEETINGS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES , INCLUDING BY27
SB22-011
-4- TELEPHONE OR VIDEO CONFERENCE . REMOTE PARTICIPATION IN1
COMMISSION MEETINGS SHALL BE NOTED IN THE MEETING MINUTES .2
(4) Powers and duties. (a) T
HE COMMISSION SHALL:3
(I) D
EVELOP AND PROMOTE PLANS FOR STATEWIDE RECOGNITION4
OF THE TWO HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE5
U
NITED STATES AND THE ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF6
C
OLORADO STATEHOOD BETWEEN JULY 1, 2025, AND DECEMBER 31, 2026,7
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:8
(A) H
ISTORICAL ACTIVITIES;9
(B) T
HE CREATION AND PUBLICATION OF HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS ;10
(C) C
OOPERATION WITH AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE11
PRESERVATION OR RESTORATION OF HISTORIC SITES , BUILDINGS, ART, AND12
ARTIFACTS;13
(D) E
DUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLORADO YOUTH TO14
UNDERSTAND THEIR HISTORIC ROOTS IN THE UNITED STATES AND15
C
OLORADO;16
(E) T
HE PROMOTION OF SCHOLARSHIP AND RESEARCH THAT17
ILLUMINATES THE HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN WEST AND COLORADO18
WITHIN THE LARGER STORY OF THE UNITED STATES;19
(F) T
HE ARRANGEMENT OF APPROPRIATE PUBLIC CEREMONIES ;20
AND21
(G) C
OMMEMORATIVE EVENTS , SUPPORTED BY A COMPREHENSIVE22
MARKETING AND TOURISM CAMPAIGN ;23
(II) I
DENTIFY STATEWIDE AND LOCAL COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO24
PROVIDE LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION ,25
COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS , AND HISTORICAL AND EDUCATI ONAL26
ACTIVITIES REGARDING THE FOUNDING OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE27
SB22-011
-5- SUBSEQUENT TWO HUNDRED FIFTY YEARS AND THE ADVENT OF COLORADO1
STATEHOOD AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONE HUNDRED FIFTY YEARS ;2
(III) C
OOPERATE WITH AND REPRESENT THE STATE IN OFFICIAL3
DEALINGS WITH THE UNITED STATES SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL COMMISSION4
AND THE AMERICA250 FOUNDATION;5
(IV) I
DENTIFY, CELEBRATE, AND BUILD KNOWLEDGE AROUND THE6
HISTORY OF BLACK COMMUNITIES , INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES ,7
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, AND WOMEN IN THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT8
OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE STATE OF COLORADO, INCLUDING THE9
HISTORY THAT PRE-DATES THE FOUNDING OF BOTH NATION AND STATE ;10
AND11
(V) E
NSURE THAT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMISSION REPRESENT12
THE GEOGRAPHIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY OF THE STATE AND ARE ,13
TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, ACCESSIBLE TO COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE14
STATE ON AN EQUITABLE BASIS.15
(b) I
N CARRYING OUT ITS DUTIES, THE COMMISSION MAY:16
(I) C
OORDINATE AND ENGAGE IN SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL OR17
SESQUICENTENNIAL INITIATIVES PROPOSED OR UNDERTAKEN BY ANY18
PUBLIC OR NONPUBLIC PERSON OR ENTITY ; AND19
(II) C
ONSULT WITH AND SEEK GUIDANCE , INFORMATION, AND20
SUPPORT FROM STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS THE STATE , INCLUDING THROUGH21
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUBCOMMITTEES IN ACCORDANCE WITH22
SUBSECTION (5) OF THIS SECTION.23
(5) Advisory panel and subcommittees. (a) (I) T
HE COMMISSION24
SHALL ESTABLISH AN ADVISORY PANEL TO CONSULT WITH THE25
COMMISSION ON REGIONAL ACTIVITIES CELEBRATING THE HISTORY AND26
CULTURE OF REGIONS ACROSS THE STATE . THE CO-CHAIRS OF THE27
SB22-011
-6- COMMISSION SHALL APPOINT WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE1
COMMISSION ONE MEMBER TO THE ADVISORY PANEL FROM EACH OF THE2
EIGHT TOURISM REGIONS OF THE STATE , AS DEFINED BY THE COLORADO3
TOURISM OFFICE CREATED IN SECTION 24-49.7-103. THE CO-CHAIRS OF4
THE COMMISSION SHALL MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO THE ADVISORY PANEL5
ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2022.6
(II) T
HE TERM OF APPOINTMENT TO THE ADVISORY PANEL IS FOR7
THE DURATION OF THE PANEL'S EXISTENCE. MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY8
PANEL SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE CO -CHAIRS OF THE COMMISSION.9
I
N THE EVENT OF A VACANCY , THE CO-CHAIRS SHALL APPOINT A NEW10
MEMBER FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TERM , SUBJECT TO THE11
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE VACANT POSITION SET FORTH IN SUBSECTION12
(5)(a)(I)
OF THIS SECTION.13
(III) M
EMBERS OF THE ADVISORY PANEL SERVE WITHOUT14
COMPENSATION BUT ARE ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR ACTUAL AND15
NECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE DISCHARGE OF THE MEMBERS '16
DUTIES. MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY PANEL MAY PARTICIPATE IN17
MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE PANEL REMOTELY , INCLUDING THROUGH18
TELEPHONE OR VIDEO CONFERENCE . REMOTE PARTICIPATION IN ADVISORY19
PANEL MEETINGS SHALL BE NOTED IN THE MEETING MINUTES .20
(b) (I) T
HE COMMISSION MAY ESTABLISH ADDITIONAL21
SUBCOMMITTEES TO HELP CARRY OUT THE COMMISSION 'S DUTIES,22
INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMMING AND EVENTS ON A23
REGIONAL OR THEMATIC BASIS.24
(II) W
HEN ESTABLISHING A SUBCOMMITTEE , THE COMMISSION25
SHALL SET FORTH THE PURPOSE OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE AND ITS26
MEMBERSHIP, DUTIES, AND DURATION.27
SB22-011
-7- (III) THE CO-CHAIRS OF THE COMMISSION SHALL APPOINT THE1
MEMBERS OF A SUBCOMMITTEE WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE2
COMMISSION. THE CO-CHAIRS MAY APPOINT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT3
MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION TO SERVE ON A SUBCOMMITTEE . MEMBERS4
OF A SUBCOMMITTEE SERVE FOR THE DURATION OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE 'S5
EXISTENCE.6
(IV) M
EMBERS OF A SUBCOMMITTEE SERVE WITHOUT7
COMPENSATION, BUT ARE ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR ACTUAL AND8
NECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE DISCHARGE OF THE MEMBERS '9
DUTIES. MEMBERS OF A SUBCOMMITTEE MAY PARTICIPATE IN MEETINGS10
AND ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE REMOTELY , INCLUDING THROUGH11
TELEPHONE OR VIDEO CONFERENCE . REMOTE PARTICIPATION IN12
SUBCOMMITTEE MEETINGS SHALL BE NOTED IN THE MEETING MINUTES .13
(6) Meetings. T
HE COMMISSION SHALL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING14
ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 1, 2022, AND SHALL MEET THEREAFTER UPON15
THE CALL OF EITHER OF THE CO-CHAIRS.16
(7) Staff support. U
PON REQUEST BY THE COMMISSION, HISTORY17
C
OLORADO SHALL PROVIDE OFFICE SPACE , EQUIPMENT, AND STAFF18
SERVICES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THIS SECTION . THE19
COMMISSION MAY RETAIN THE SERVICES OF A CONSULTANT OR STAFF20
DIRECTOR TO ASSIST THE COMMISSION IN ACCOMPLISHING ITS DUTIES ,21
INCLUDING BY PROVIDING ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT , DIRECTING22
FUNDRAISING AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE COMMISSION , PLANNING23
EVENTS, AND OTHER DUTIES AS DEFINED BY THE COMMISSION .24
(8) Gifts, grants, and donations. H
ISTORY COLORADO AND THE25
COMMISSION MAY SEEK , ACCEPT, AND EXPEND GIFTS, GRANTS, OR26
DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SOURCES FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS27
SB22-011
-8- SECTION.1
(9) Reports. H
ISTORY COLORADO SHALL ANNUALLY REPORT ON2
THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMISSION AS PART OF ITS "STATE3
M
EASUREMENT FOR ACCOUNTABLE, RESPONSIVE, AND TRANSPARENT4
(SMART)
GOVERNMENT ACT" PRESENTATION REQUIRED BY SECTION5
2-7-203.6
(10) Repeal. T
HIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JUNE 30,7
2027.8
SECTION 2. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,9
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate10
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety.11
SB22-011
-9-