Colorado § 8-83-507 - Hiring preference - coal transition workers - definitions.

§ 8-83-507. Hiring preference - coal transition workers - definitions.

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

(a) "Coal transition community" means a Colorado municipality, county, or region where a coal transition facility or a center for the manufacturing or transportation supply chain of a coal transition facility was or is located.

(b) "Coal transition worker" means an individual who works or has worked in a Colorado coal transition facility or in the manufacturing or transportation supply chain of a coal transition facility.

(c) "Covered business" means a business entity operating in a coal transition community that is engaged in the business of constructing or operating railroads, utilities, energy generation facilities, or advanced manufacturing facilities. A "covered business" does not include the state government or a local government.

(d) "Hiring preference" means a first and preferred opportunity for available employment in a coal transition community.

(e) "Qualified coal transition worker" means a coal transition worker who meets the qualifications for an employment position with a covered business.

(2) (a) On and after January 1, 2027, a covered business shall provide a hiring preference for a qualified coal transition worker to a prospective new employee.

(b) A covered business may hire an individual who is not a qualified coal transition worker only if:

(I) A qualified coal transition worker did not apply to be employed by a covered business;

(II) Each qualified coal transition worker to whom the covered business extends an offer of employment declines the offer; or

(III) A qualified coal transition worker's qualifications did not meet the qualifications of other candidates for the same job.

(3) A covered business shall consult with the just transition office, operators of existing coal-fueled generation facilities scheduled for retirement, and organizations representing qualified coal transition workers to identify qualified coal transition workers.

(4) If a qualified coal transition worker applies for employment with a covered business, then a covered business shall report annually to the just transition office the following information regarding the prior year:

(a) The title of any position filled by a qualified coal transition worker;

(b) The number of qualified coal transition workers who filled positions at the covered business;

(c) The number of individuals who are not qualified coal transition workers who filled positions at the covered business; and

(d) Efforts undertaken by the covered business to recruit qualified coal transition workers.

(5) A covered business shall make good faith efforts to comply with this section.

(6) The executive director or their designee shall develop policies and procedures for the implementation of this section.

(7) A hiring preference does not apply if a covered business places an existing employee in another employment position with the covered business or to the extent that a hiring preference conflicts with the terms of a collective bargaining agreement that applies to the relationship between a covered business and its employees.

Source: L. 2026: Entire section added, (SB 26-052), ch. 3, p. 9, § 2, effective March 9.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in SB 26-052, see section 1 of chapter 3, Session Laws of Colorado 2026.

PART 6

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in SB 22-140, see section 1 of chapter 357, Session Laws of Colorado 2022.