Colorado § 25-15-602 - Legislative declaration.

§ 25-15-602. Legislative declaration.

(1) The general assembly finds and declares that:

(a) Contamination of the soil and water in the state from PFAS chemicals poses a significant threat to the environment of the state and the health of its residents;

(b) A growing body of scientific research has found that exposure to PFAS chemicals may lead to serious and harmful health effects;

(c) The full extent of the contamination of PFAS chemicals in the soil and water of the state is not currently known but is anticipated to be widespread and to require a significant expenditure of resources to be identified and remediated;

(d) PFAS chemicals continue to be used in products across a variety of industries and for many different purposes;

(e) PFAS chemicals are not necessary in many products and could be replaced with less harmful chemicals or technologies; and

(f) If the widespread sale and distribution of products that contain intentionally added PFAS chemicals and the installation of artificial turf that contains intentionally added PFAS chemicals continue in the state:

(I) There is a larger risk of PFAS chemicals migrating into the natural environment;

(II) Residents of the state will likely suffer adverse health effects from exposure to PFAS chemicals; and

(III) The state and local communities will be burdened with the testing, monitoring, and clean-up costs necessary to keep residents safe from exposure to PFAS chemicals.

(2) The general assembly therefore determines and declares that it is imperative for the health and safety of the state's residents to create a regulatory scheme that:

(a) Phases out the sale or distribution of certain products and product categories in the state that contain intentionally added PFAS chemicals; and

(b) Prohibits the installation of artificial turf that contains intentionally added PFAS chemicals.

Source: L. 2022: Entire part added, (HB 22-1345), ch. 338, p. 2426, § 1, effective June 3. L. 2024: IP(1), IP(1)(f), and (2) amended, (SB 24-081), ch. 147, p. 593, § 2, effective May 1.