First Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED
LLS NO. 25-0765.01 Anna Petrini x5497
SENATE BILL 25-120
Senate Committees House Committees
Education
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING PROMOTING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT101
OPPORTUNITIES IN COLORADO'S NUCLEAR SECTOR.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 Colorado nuclear workforce development and
education program (program) in the department of higher education
(department) to help meet growing workforce demand in the nuclear
energy sector. The bill establishes a related grant program to provide
grants to institutions of higher education for the development or
expansion of nuclear engineering degree or certificate programs or course
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Liston and Marchman,
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Soper,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. offerings. The Colorado nuclear workforce development and education
council shall advise and assist the department regarding the grant
program's implementation and evaluation.
The department may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, and
donations for program-related purposes. The state treasurer shall credit
the gifts, grants, and donations to the Colorado workforce development
and education cash fund (cash fund). The general assembly shall not
appropriate general fund dollars to implement or maintain program
operations or grant awards. The department shall begin awarding grants
only after the balance of the cash fund reaches or exceeds $500,000.
The bill imposes requirements to report to the general assembly
about the program's implementation and use of funds. The bill repeals the
program, effective September 1, 2032, unless the program is extended
pursuant to a sunset review.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add article 82 to title2
23 as follows:3
ARTICLE 824
Colorado Nuclear Workforce Development and5
Education Program6
23-82-101. Definitions. A
S USED IN THIS ARTICLE 82, UNLESS THE7
CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :8
(1) "C
ASH FUND" MEANS THE COLORADO NUCLEAR WORKFORCE9
DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION CASH FUND CREATED IN SECTION10
23-82-107.11
(2) "C
OAL TRANSITION COMMUNITY " MEANS A COAL TRANSITION12
COMMUNITY AS DEFINED IN SECTION 8-83-502.13
(3) "C
OUNCIL" MEANS THE COLORADO NUCLEAR WORKFORCE14
DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION COUNCIL CREATED IN SECTION 23-82-104.15
(4) "D
EPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER16
EDUCATION CREATED AND EXISTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-1-114.17
SB25-120-2- (5) "GRANT PROGRAM" MEANS THE COLORADO NUCLEAR1
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM CREATED2
IN SECTION 23-82-103.3
(6) "P
ROGRAM" MEANS THE COLORADO NUCLEAR WORKFORCE4
DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION PROGRAM CREATED IN SECTION5
23-82-102.6
(7) "S
TATE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION" OR "INSTITUTION"7
MEANS A STATE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION AS DEFINED IN8
SECTION 23-18-102.9
23-82-102. Colorado nuclear workforce development and10
education program - created - guidelines and procedures. (1) T
HE11
C
OLORADO NUCLEAR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION12
PROGRAM IS CREATED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION . THE13
PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO MEET GROWING WORKFORCE DEMAND IN14
THE NUCLEAR ENERGY SECTOR BY :15
(a) P
ROVIDING GRANTS TO INSTITUTIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT16
OR EXPANSION OF NUCLEAR ENGINEERING DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE17
PROGRAMS OR COURSE OFFERINGS THROUGH THE COLORADO WORKFORCE18
DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM CREATED IN SECTION19
23-82-103;
AND20
(b) P
ROVIDING INSTITUTIONS RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE .21
(2) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM IN22
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE 82 AND SHALL DEVELOP , WITH23
ASSISTANCE FROM AND IN COORDINATION WITH THE COUNCIL , PROGRAM24
GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES AS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE25
PROGRAM.26
23-82-103. Colorado nuclear workforce development and27
SB25-120
-3- education grant program - created - guidelines and procedures.1
(1) T
HE COLORADO NUCLEAR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND2
EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM IS CREATED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER3
EDUCATION. THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT PROGRAM IS TO MEET GROWING4
WORKFORCE DEMAND IN THE NUCLEAR ENERGY SECTOR BY PROVIDING5
GRANTS TO INSTITUTIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OR EXPANSION OF6
NUCLEAR ENGINEERING DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS OR COURSE7
OFFERINGS.8
(2) G
RANT RECIPIENTS MAY USE THE MONEY RECEIVED THROUGH9
THE GRANT PROGRAM FOR NUCLEAR ENGINEERING PROGRAM OR COURSE10
DESIGN, PERSONNEL, OR ADMINISTRATIVE OR FACILITY EXPENSES11
NECESSARY TO DEVELOP OR EXP AND PROGRAM OR COURSE OFFERINGS .12
(3) T
HE DEPARTMENT, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM AND IN13
COORDINATION WITH THE COUNCIL , SHALL ADMINISTER THE GRANT14
PROGRAM AND, SUBJECT TO AVAILABLE APPROPRIATIONS , SHALL AWARD15
GRANTS AS PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE 82. GRANTS MUST BE PAID OUT OF16
THE COLORADO NUCLEAR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION17
CASH FUND CREATED IN SECTION 23-82-107.18
23-82-104. Colorado nuclear workforce development and19
education council - created - duties. (1) T
HE COLORADO NUCLEAR20
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION COUNCIL IS CREATED IN THE21
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION .22
(2) (a) T
HE COUNCIL CONSISTS OF SEVEN MEMBERS APPOINTED BY23
THE DESIGNATED APPOINTING OFFICIALS AS FOLLOWS :24
(I) T
HE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF25
THE COUNCIL:26
(A) O
NE MEMBER WHO IS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE27
SB25-120
-4- DEPARTMENT;1
(B) O
NE MEMBER WHO IS A REPRESENTATIVE OF A COAL2
TRANSITION COMMUNITY OR RURAL AREA OF THE STATE ; AND3
(C) O
NE MEMBER WHO IS A NUCLEAR PHYSICIST OR ENGINEER4
FROM A FEDERAL LABORATORY ; AND5
(II) T
HE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE6
SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES , AND THE7
MINORITY LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SHALL EACH8
APPOINT ONE MEMBER WHO IS A REPRESENTATIVE OF A PRIVATE COMPANY9
IN THE NUCLEAR OR CLEAN ENERGY SECTOR .10
(b) T
HE APPOINTING OFFICIALS SHALL MAKE THE INITIAL11
APPOINTMENTS TO THE COUNCIL NO LATER THAN JANUARY 1, 2026.12
(c) T
HE TERM OF APPOINTMENT IS FOUR YEARS; EXCEPT THAT THE13
TERM OF EACH MEMBER INITIALLY APPOINTED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION14
(2)(b)
OF THIS SECTION IS TWO YEARS.15
(3) M
EMBERS OF THE COUNCIL SERVE WITHOUT COMPENSATION16
BUT ARE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR ACTUAL AND17
NECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE MEMBERS '18
DUTIES ON THE COUNCIL.19
(4) (a) T
HE COUNCIL SHALL ELECT A CHAIR FROM AMONG THE20
COUNCIL'S MEMBERS TO SERVE FOR A TERM NOT TO EXCEED TWO YEARS ,21
AS DETERMINED BY THE COUNCIL .22
(b) T
HE COUNCIL SHALL MEET AT LEAST ONCE IN 2026, AND AT23
LEAST QUARTERLY EACH YEAR THEREAFTER . THE CHAIR MAY CALL SUCH24
ADDITIONAL MEETINGS AS ARE NECESSARY FOR THE COMMITTEE TO25
COMPLETE ITS DUTIES.26
(5) T
HE COUNCIL SHALL:27
SB25-120
-5- (a) REVIEW AND APPROVE GRANT PROGRAM GUIDELINES AND1
PROCEDURES;2
(b) A
DVISE AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE DEPARTMENT ON3
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GRANT PROGRAM ;4
(c) R
EVIEW AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT5
ON GRANT APPLICATIONS, INCLUDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GRANT6
AWARD AMOUNTS; AND7
(d) A
SSIST THE DEPARTMENT IN EVALUATING THE GRANT8
PROGRAM.9
(6) T
HE COUNCIL MAY PROMOTE NUCLEAR ENGINEERING10
EDUCATION AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AMONG INSTITUTIONS TO ENHANCE11
THE INSTITUTIONS' ABILITY TO ATTRACT FEDERAL AND PRIVATE SECTOR12
FUNDING FOR NUCLEAR ENGINEERING EDUCATION , TRAINING, AND13
RELATED RESEARCH.14
23-82-105. Colorado nuclear workforce development and15
education grant program - application - criteria - awards. (1) T
O16
RECEIVE A GRANT, AN INSTITUTION MUST SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE17
COUNCIL IN ACCORDANCE WITH GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES18
ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-82-102 (2).19
(2) T
HE COUNCIL SHALL REVIEW THE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED20
PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. IN MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE21
DEPARTMENT REGARDING AWARDING THE GRANTS , THE COUNCIL SHALL22
PRIORITIZE INSTITUTIONS THAT CAN PROVIDE A TRAINED WORKFORCE23
EXPEDITIOUSLY. IN ADDITION TO OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS, THE COUNCIL24
SHALL CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA WHEN AWARDING GRANTS :25
(a) T
HE DISTRIBUTION OF NUCLEAR ENGINEERING PROGRAMS AND26
COURSES OFFERED ACROSS THE STATE ;27
SB25-120
-6- (b) THE NEED FOR A NUCLEAR ENGINEERING WORKFORCE IN THE1
SURROUNDING COMMUNITY OR REGION OF THE STATE ; AND2
(c) T
HE PROJECTED STUDENT INTEREST IN THE NUCLEAR3
ENGINEERING PROGRAMS AT COMPETING INSTITUTIONS .4
(3) S
UBJECT TO AVAILABLE APPROPRIATIONS , THE DEPARTMENT5
SHALL BEGIN AWARDING GRANTS AS PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE 82 ONLY6
AFTER THE BALANCE OF THE COLORADO NUCLEAR WORKFORCE7
DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION CASH FUND REACHES OR EXCEEDS FIVE8
HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS .9
23-82-106. Reporting requirements. (1) O
N OR BEFORE10
N
OVEMBER 1, 2027, AND ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 1 EACH YEAR11
THEREAFTER UNTIL THE REPEAL OF THE COLORADO NUCLEAR WORKFORCE12
DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION PROGRAM , THE COUNCIL SHALL SUBMIT13
A REPORT TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ENERGY AND14
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE , THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EDUCATION15
COMMITTEE, THE SENATE TRANSPORTATION AND ENERGY COMMITTEE ,16
AND THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE , OR THEIR SUCCESSOR17
COMMITTEES. AT A MINIMUM, THE REPORT MUST INCLUDE A SUMMARY OF18
THE PROGRAM AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND ANY RELATED TECHNICAL19
ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING AN ACCOUNTING OF20
HOW MONEY WAS USED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE 82 TO EXPAND OR21
SUPPORT NUCLEAR ENGINEERING DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS OR22
COURSE OFFERINGS IN ORDER TO MEET GROWING WORKFORCE DEMAND IN23
THE NUCLEAR ENERGY SECTOR .24
(2) B
EGINNING IN JANUARY 2028, AND IN JANUARY EVERY YEAR25
THEREAFTER, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL INCLUDE , AS PART OF ITS26
PRESENTATION DURING ITS"SMART ACT" HEARING REQUIRED BY SECTION27
SB25-120
-7- 2-7-203, AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE ANNUAL REPORT ON THE1
PROGRAM.2
(3) N
OTWITHSTANDING SECTION 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), THE3
REPORTING REQUIREMENT SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION CONTINUES UNTIL4
THE PROGRAM REPEALS PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-82-109.5
23-82-107. Colorado nuclear workforce development and6
education cash fund. (1) T
HE DEPARTMENT MAY SEEK , ACCEPT, AND7
EXPEND GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SOURCES8
FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE 82. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL9
TRANSMIT ALL MONEY RECEIVED THROUGH GIFTS , GRANTS, OR DONATIONS10
TO THE STATE TREASURER , WHO SHALL CREDIT THE MONEY TO THE11
C
OLORADO NUCLEAR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION CASH12
FUND. SUBJECT TO ANNUAL APPROPRIATION BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ,13
THE DEPARTMENT MAY EXPEND ANY STATE MONEY FROM THE CASH FUND14
FOR DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS INCURRED TO ADMINISTER THE15
PROGRAM.16
(2) T
HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL NOT APPROPRIATE GENERAL17
FUND DOLLARS FOR THE PURPOSES OF IMPLEMENTING OR MAINTAINING18
PROGRAM OPERATIONS OR GRANT AWARDS PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE 82.19
(3) T
HE COLORADO NUCLEAR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND20
EDUCATION CASH FUND IS CREATED IN THE STATE TREASURY . THE CASH21
FUND CONSISTS OF GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS CREDITED TO THE22
FUND PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION.23
(4) T
HE STATE TREASURER SHALL CREDIT ALL INTEREST AND24
INCOME DERIVED FROM THE DEPOSIT AND INVESTMENT OF MONEY IN THE25
C
OLORADO NUCLEAR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION CASH26
FUND TO THE FUND.27
SB25-120
-8- (5) SUBJECT TO ANNUAL APPROPRIATION BY THE GENERAL1
ASSEMBLY, THE DEPARTMENT MAY EXPEND MONEY FROM THE CASH FUND2
FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE 82.3
23-82-108. Funding for program. T
HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY4
SHALL ANNUALLY APPROPRIATE MONEY FROM THE COLORADO NUCLEAR5
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION CASH FUND TO THE6
DEPARTMENT TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM . THE DEPARTMENT MAY USE7
A PORTION OF THE MONEY ANNUALLY APPROPRIATED FOR THE PROGRAM8
TO PAY THE DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS THAT THE DEPARTMENT INCURS9
TO ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM .10
23-82-109. Repeal of article - review of functions. T
HIS ARTICLE11
82
IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVESEPTEMBER 1, 2032. BEFORE THE REPEAL, THIS12
ARTICLE 82 IS SCHEDULED FOR REVIEW IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION13
24-34-104.14
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-34-104, add15
(33)(a)(X) as follows:16
24-34-104. General assembly review of regulatory agencies17
and functions for repeal, continuation, or reestablishment - legislative18
declaration - repeal. (33) (a) The following agencies, functions, or both,19
are scheduled for repeal on September 1, 2032:20
(X) T
HE COLORADO NUCLEAR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND21
EDUCATION PROGRAM CREATED IN ARTICLE 82 OF TITLE 23.22
SECTION 3. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act23
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the24
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except25
that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V26
of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this27
SB25-120
-9- act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take1
effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in2
November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the3
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.4
SB25-120
-10-