Colorado § 40-3.2-105.7 - Labor standards for state thermal energy network and thermal energy system projects - definitions.

§ 40-3.2-105.7. Labor standards for state thermal energy network and thermal energy system projects - definitions.

(1) Any thermal energy network or thermal energy system project that an agency of government or a state institution of higher education procures and that is a public project must comply with:

(a) The apprenticeship utilization requirements set forth in section 24-92-115 if the estimated contract cost for the public project is one million dollars or more; and

(b) Part 2 of article 92 of title 24 concerning prevailing wages for public projects if the estimated contract cost for the public project is five hundred thousand dollars or more.

(2) Any thermal energy network or thermal energy system plumbing and electrical work performed in the state shall:

(a) Be performed by licensed plumbers, licensed electricians, or supervised apprentices at a ratio no greater than three apprentices for each licensed master or journeyworker plumber or master or journeyman electrician, as required pursuant to section 12-115-115 (1) or 12-155-124 (1); and

(b) Be installed in compliance with the rules of the state electrical board or the state plumbing board and in accordance with the electrical and plumbing codes adopted pursuant to those rules.

(3) For any thermal energy network or thermal energy system that a utility owns, the utility shall use utility employees or qualified contractors to perform any construction trade work deemed necessary to complete the project. A qualified contractor is a contractor with employees that have access to an apprenticeship program as defined in section 8-83-308 (3)(a). All mechanical, electrical, and plumbing contractors and subcontractors must meet the apprenticeship utilization requirements of section 24-92-115; except that the apprenticeship utilization requirements do not apply to:

(a) The design, planning, or engineering of infrastructure;

(b) Management functions for the operation of infrastructure; or

(c) Any work included in a warranty.

(4) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Agency of government" has the meaning set forth in section 24-92-201 (1).

(b) "Licensed electrician" means an electrician licensed pursuant to section 12-115-110.

(c) "Licensed plumber" means a plumber licensed pursuant to section 12-155-108.

(d) "Public project" has the meaning set forth in section 24-92-201 (5).

(e) "State institution of higher education" has the meaning set forth in section 23-18-102 (10).

(f) "Thermal energy network" has the meaning set forth in section 40-3.2-108 (2)(s).

(g) "Thermal energy system" has the meaning set forth in section 40-3.2-108 (2)(t).

Source: L. 2023: Entire section added, (HB 23-1252), ch. 166, p. 755, § 3, effective August 7. L. 2024: (2)(a) amended, (HB 24-1344), ch. 343, p. 2331, § 29, effective July 1, 2025.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 23-1252, see section 1 of chapter 166, Session Laws of Colorado 2023.