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March 22, 2023 HB 23-1247
Legislative Council Staff
Nonpartisan Services for Colorado’s Legislature
Fiscal Note
Drafting Number:
Prime Sponsors:
LLS 23-0918
Rep. Lukens; Winter T.
Sen. Roberts; Pelton R.
Date:
Bill Status:
Fiscal Analyst:
March 22, 2023
House Energy & Environment
Matt Bishop | 303-866-4796
matt.bishop@coleg.gov
Bill Topic: ASSESS ADVANCED ENERGY SOLUTIONS IN RURAL COLORADO
Summary of
Fiscal Impact:
☐ State Revenue
☒ State Expenditure
☐ State Transfer
☐ TABOR Refund
☒ Local Government
☐ Statutory Public Entity
The bill requires the Colorado Energy Office to conduct studies of electric transmission
and energy generation in rural Colorado. It increases state and local expenditures in
FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 only.
Appropriation
Summary:
No appropriation is required, as existing state appropriations and federal funding are
expected to be available to implement the bill. See the State Expenditures and State
Appropriations Sections for more detail.
Fiscal Note
Status:
The fiscal note reflects the introduced bill.
Table 1
State Fiscal Impacts Under HB 23-1247
Budget Year
FY 2023-24
Out Year
FY 2024-25
Revenue - -
Expenditures Cash Funds $50,000 -
Federal Funds $166,374 $219,650
Centrally Appropriated $2,637 $4,045
Total Expenditures $219,011 $223,695
Total FTE 0.1 FTE 0.2 FTE
Transfers - -
Other Budget Impacts - -
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March 22, 2023 HB 23-1247
Summary of Legislation
The bill directs the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) to conduct two studies of electric transmission and
advanced energy solutions. The studies must include specific energy generation and storage
solutions, regional economic impacts, and potential, prerequisite regulatory changes. One study must
focus on parts of Montrose County; the other must focus on southeastern Colorado. CEO must submit
its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by July 1, 2025.
State Expenditures
The bill increases state expenditures in CEO by approximately $220,000 per year in FY 2023-24 and
FY 2024-25, paid from the Just Transition Cash Fund and federal funds. Expenditures are shown in
Table 2 and detailed below.
Table 2
Expenditures Under HB 23-1247
FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25
Colorado Energy Office
Personal Services $16,374 $19,650
Consultant $200,000 $200,000
Centrally Appropriated Costs
1
$2,637 $4,045
Total Cost $219,011 $223,695
Total FTE 0.1 FTE 0.2 FTE
1
Centrally appropriated costs are not included in the bill's appropriation.
Colorado Energy Office. The office requires a consultant to conduct the studies, estimated at $400,000
over approximately two years. Of this amount, $50,000 is estimated to come from the Office of Just
Transition and its existing FY 2023-24 spending authority from the Just Transition Cash Fund. The
remaining costs in FY 2023-24 and all costs in FY 2024-25 will be covered by federal funds received
under the federal Inflation Reduction Act. CEO also requires 0.3 FTE over the life of the studies to
solicit and monitor the contract, support the studies, and review and submit the findings to the
General Assembly. Costs in FY 2023-24 are prorated for the bill’s effective date.
Centrally appropriated costs. Pursuant to a Joint Budget Committee policy, certain costs associated
with this bill are addressed through the annual budget process and centrally appropriated in the Long
Bill or supplemental appropriations bills, rather than in this bill. These costs, which include employee
insurance and supplemental employee retirement payments, are shown in Table 2.
Local Government
The bill minimally increases workload for any local government that collaborates with the studies in
FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 only. Page 3
March 22, 2023 HB 23-1247
State Appropriations
While the bill does not require an appropriation, the following informational appropriation may be
added for tracking purposes. The bill requires an appropriation of $216,374 to the Colorado Energy
Office and 0.3 FTE, of which $50,000 is a grant from the Just Transition Cash Fund in the Department
of Labor and Employment and $166,374 is federal funds received through the Inflation Reduction Act.
Effective Date
The bill takes effect 90 days following adjournment of the General Assembly sine die, assuming no
referendum petition is filed.
State and Local Government Contacts
Colorado Energy Office Information Technology Labor and Employment
Legislative Council Staff
The revenue and expenditure impacts in this fiscal note represent changes from current law under the bill for each
fiscal year. For additional information about fiscal notes, please visit: leg.colorado.gov/fiscalnotes.