Page 1
April 23, 2024 SB 24-212
Legislative Council Staff
Nonpartisan Services for Colorado’s Legislature
Fiscal Note
Drafting Number:
Prime Sponsors:
LLS 24-0838
Sen. Hansen; Fenberg
Date:
Bill Status:
Fiscal Analyst:
April 23, 2024
Senate Transportation & Energy
Josh Abram | 303-866-3561
josh.abram@coleg.gov
Bill Topic: LOCAL GOVERNMENTS RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS
Summary of
Fiscal Impact:
☐ State Revenue
☒ State Expenditure
☐ State Transfer
☐ TABOR Refund
☒ Local Government
☐ Statutory Public Entity
The bill requires that the Department of Natural Resources provide technical support
to local and tribal governments related to renewable energy projects, and requires
that the Department of Local Affairs and the Governor’s Energy Office jointly develop
a repository of model codes and ordinances for renewable energy projects. The bill
increases state expenditures and may decrease local workload beginning FY 2024-25.
Appropriation
Summary:
For FY 2024-25, the bill requires appropriations totaling $403,481 to the Department
of Natural Resources.
Fiscal Note
Status:
The fiscal note reflects the introduced bill.
Table 1
State Fiscal Impacts Under SB 24-212
Budget Year
FY 2024-25
Out Year
FY 2025-26
Revenue - -
Expenditures Cash Funds $403,481 $455,201
Federal Funds $79,346 -
Centrally Appropriated $66,706 $74,552
Total Expenditures $549,533 $529,753
Total FTE 3.5 FTE 4.0 FTE
Transfers - -
Other Budget Impacts - -
Page 2
April 23, 2024 SB 24-212
Summary of Legislation
The bill requires certain state agencies to provide technical support to project developers, local
governments, and tribal governments for renewable energy projects. Local or tribal
governments may request support from the Energy and Carbon Management Commission in
the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) about the development of local codes for
renewable energy projects or the review of proposed projects. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife
(CPW) in DNR must provide, upon request, best management practices for renewable energy
projects based on habitat impacts and project-specific, high-priority habitats.
No later than June 30, 2025, the DNR, the Colorado Energy Office (CEO), and the Department of
Local Affairs (DOLA) must collaborate on a repository of model codes and ordinances that local
and tribal governments may consider. Finally, the CEO must submit a report to the General
Assembly by September 30, 2025, that evaluates solar and wind energy projects parameters,
including siting, streamlined development, and other impacts.
The bill prohibits local governments from granting permits for renewable energy facilities on
tribal lands without consent from the tribal government.
State Expenditures
The bill increases state expenditures in the Department of Natural Resources by about $465,000
in FY 2024-25, and by about $530,000 in FY 2025-26, paid from the Wildlife Cash Fund and the
Energy and Carbon Management Cash Fund. It also increases state expenditures in the Colorado
Energy Office by about $85,000 in FY 2024-25 only, paid from federal funds. The bill also
increases workload in the Department of Local Affairs. Expenditures are shown in Table 2 and
detailed below.
Page 3
April 23, 2024 SB 24-212
Table 2
Expenditures Under SB 24-212
FY 2024-25 FY 2025-26
DNR – Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Personal Services $87,796 $109,745
Operating Expenses $1,024 $1,280
Capital Outlay Costs $6,670 -
Centrally Appropriated Costs
1
$14,895 $18,619
FTE – Personal Services 0.8 FTE 1.0 FTE
CPW Subtotal $110,385 $129,644
DNR – Energy Carbon Management Commission
Personal Services $274,481 $330,036
Operating Expenses $3,200 $3,840
Capital Outlay Costs $20,010 -
Vehicle Lease $3,694 $3,694
Vehicle Operating $6,606 $6,606
Centrally Appropriated Costs
1
$46,559 $55,933
FTE – Personal Services 2.5 FTE 3.0 FTE
ECMC Subtotal $354,550 $400,108
Colorado Energy Office
2
Personal Services $29,346 -
Study of Local Government Renewable Energy Projects $50,000 -
Centrally Appropriated Costs
1
$5,252 -
FTE – Personal Services 0.2 FTE -
CEO Subtotal $84,598 -
Total $549,533 $529,753
Total FTE 3.5 FTE 4.0 FTE
1
Centrally appropriated costs are not included in the bill's appropriation.
2
These expenditures are from federal funds, which are not included in the bill’s appropriation.
Page 4
April 23, 2024 SB 24-212
Department of Natural Resources. The bill increases expenses for Colorado Parks and Wildlife
and the Energy and Carbon Management Commission. The DNR will require 3.3 FTE in
FY 2024-25, which annualizes to 4.0 FTE beginning FY 2025-26 to support local governments,
tribal governments, and facility owners in the development of renewable energy projects—with
3.0 FTE at the ECMC and 1.0 FTE at CPW. Staffing estimates are based on the volume of requests
currently being received by DNR for assistance related to the state’s greenhouse gas emission
reduction goals. For FY 2024-25, this volume is anticipated to increase by 30 percent compared
to the baseline set of requests received in FY 2021-22 and FY 2022-23. Beginning FY 2025-26,
request volume is estimated to increase by 20 percent annually thereafter. Standard operating
and capital outlay costs are included and FTE
Colorado Energy Office. The CEO will add 0.2 FTE Senior Policy Lead to develop a study and
publish a repository of model codes and ordinances in coordination with the Department of
Local Affairs. Workload includes data collection, stakeholder outreach, departmental
collaboration, and drafting and publishing. The CEO will also contract with outside experts for
$50,000 to prepare the final product. CEO’s expenses are paid by federal block grants from the
Department of Energy.
Department of Local Affairs. DOLA will have an increase in workload to collaborate with other
departments to develop and publish a repository of model codes and ordinances that local and
tribal governments may consider. This effort does not require new appropriations.
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 may decrease workload in any local government that uses technical support or model
codes to facilitate the development of renewable energy projects.
Effective Date
The bill takes effect 90 days following adjournment of the General Assembly sine die, assuming
no referendum petition is filed.
State Appropriations
For FY 2024-25, the bill requires the following cash fund appropriations:
$95,490 from the Wildlife Cash Fund to the Department of Natural Resources, and 0.7 FTE;
and,
$307,991 from the Energy and Carbon Management Cash Fund to the Department of
Natural Resources, and 2.5 FTE. Page 5
April 23, 2024 SB 24-212
State and Local Government Contacts
Colorado Energy Office Local Affairs Natural Resources
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 the General Assembly website.