HomeMy WebLinkAboutR18-015 Adopting 2018 Legislative Policy Statement ,
Commissioner 14.--'1 -. ,,,„,, moved adoption
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BOARD OF COUNTY C SSIONERS
COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE'O °,JbLORADO
RESOLUTION No.2018- SIS
RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE EAGLE COUNTY
2018 LEGISLATIVE POLICY STATEMENT
WHEREAS,Eagle County follows the activity of the state and federal legislature
closely in order to identify any potential impacts on the county and its citizens; and
WHEREAS, due to the nature of the legislative process and the ever-changing
language of numerous bills of substance, it is critical that Eagle County maintains an
effective and responsive system for adopting and communicating official county
positions on relevant legislation; and
WHEREAS, an integral part of this system is the adoption of an Eagle County
2018 Legislative Policy Statement, which identifies general legislative issues of interest
to the county along with the county's policy principles on these issues; and
WHEREAS, Eagle County officials and staff will utilize the 2018 Legislative
Policy Statement as a guiding policy when reviewing and analyzing bills that may have
an impact on the county's interests; and
WHEREAS,the Eagle County 2018 Legislative Policy Statement incorporates
Eagle County's Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives.
NOW,THEREFORE,be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners
of the County of Eagle, State of Colorado:
THAT, the attached Eagle County 2018 Legislative Policy Statement, representing the
county's policy principles on these legislative issues, is hereby adopted.
MOVED,READ and ADOPTED by the Board of County co, snissioners of the County
of Eagle, State of Colorado, at its regular meeting held the 1'b cay of F1,02 . 2018.
COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF
tpciz 04 crCOLORADO, By and Through Its
�, �► s y BOARD OF ' OUNTY COMMI ON 1 S
ATTEST: w * .
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Clerk to the Board of athy if .
County Commissioners C .1r/
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illian H. Ryan
Co ` ser
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ee McQueeneV
ommissioner
Commissioner OA° CU ,uia..L-1 seconded adoption of the foregoing resolution.
The roll having been called,the vote was as follows:
Commissioner Chandler-Henry iLl-t,,,,n
Commissioner Ryan -a. +
Commissioner McQueeney 144
This resolution passed by I u vote of the Board of County
Commissioners of the County of Eagle, State of Colorado
EAGLE COUNTY
2018 LEGISLATIVE
POLICY STATEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
OVERVIEW 3
EAGLE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN 3
POLICY PRINCIPLES 4
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION4
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 4
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH5
GOVERNANCE AND FISCAL ISSUES 7
HOUSING. ....................................................................................................................................................._.......... ........11
HUMANSERVICES..........................................................................................................................................................11
LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT.................. .............................................. ...................... ........... 12
PUBLICHEALTH.................................... ............... ....... ............ ................ ........ ...... ........... 13
PUBLIC LANDS ...15
PUBLIC SAFETY 16
SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE PROTECTION 16
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 18
TRANSPORTATION.......................................... ...................... .................................................. ................... 18
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OVERVIEW
Eagle County's Legislative Policy Statement identifies the county's policy principles on key
legislative issues. The county will utilize the Legislative Policy Statement as a guiding document
when reviewing and analyzing specific bills that impact Eagle County interests. As a member of
Counties& Commissioners Acting Together, Eagle County recognizes the views articulated in the
2018 Policy Priorities(Attached as Exhibit 1).
The policy statements included in this document are necessarily broad and by no means all-
inclusive. Eagle County will take Official County Positions on a limited number of significant bills.
Official County Positions are not automatically assumed on bills simply because they are congruent
with the policy statements contained in this document. The Board of County Commissioners
(BoCC)has discretion in determining Official County Positions.
When significant legislation is identified that might warrant an Official County Position,the BoCC,
other elected officials and county staff will coordinate review through the County Manager's Office.
In coordination with the County Attorney's Office, the County Manager's Office will provide the
BoCC with a brief summary of the substance of the legislation and,if warranted,a proposed Official
County Position that is consistent with the principles of the Legislative Policy Statement. The BoCC
will consider the Official County Position,and if adopted,the county will communicate the position
to legislators and the public. Eagle County welcomes the opportunity to discuss the county's
legislative priorities and positions. This Legislative Policy Statement provides a reference tool
when considering legislation that may impact Eagle County.
EAGLE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN
With a mission of"Creating a Better Eagle County for All,"the Strategic Plan provides a roadmap as
the county allocates resources, gauges progress and ensures delivery of quality services to
constituents. The Strategic Plan identifies underlying principles on which decisions are based,and
includes goals and objectives to be achieved through 2020. Specific policy and management action
items are identified for the coming year that work towards achieving these goals and objectives.
The Eagle County Legislative Policy Statement is consistent with the Eagle County Strategic Plan's
goals and objectives.
Therefore,Eagle County:
• Supports legislation that is consistent with and works towards the achievement of the
County's Strategic Plan goals and objectives.
• Opposes legislation that runs counter to or prevents the achievement of the County's
Strategic Plan goals and objectives.
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POLICY PRINCIPLES
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
A substantial body of research documents the importance of early childhood education to children's
healthy growth and development and to their success in school. Research also demonstrates that
funds spent on effective early childhood programs represent a sound and cost-effective investment.
For example,the Colorado Early Childhood Leadership Commission developed its Early Investment
Model to calculate the return on state investments in early childhood programs based on peer-
reviewed and nationally-recognized research. This model assumes that every state dollar invested
in early childhood programs yields a return on investment of almost $8.80. This assumption is
consistent with research reported by the National Conference of State Legislatures showing returns
on early childhood program investments of more than$8 for every$1 invested. A key problem is
that providing quality early learning and childcare is often quite costly and beyond the means of
many low-income and working class families, which in turn, makes it difficult for childcare
providers to either sustain their business or offer high-quality care. According to Eagle County's
Early Childhood Roadmap,there are 4,300 children ages 0 to 5 in Eagle County and that number is
expected to grow. Approximately 2/3 of those children have one or more parents employed,
yielding 2,881 children who may need childcare. Currently, 1,500 of these children are in licensed
care,leaving 1,381 others whose parents may need or want childcare,but may not be able to obtain
it. Understanding the importance of early childhood care and education,Eagle County:
• Supports legislation that promotes access, affordability and quality in early
childhood education opportunities.
• Supports increased state funding for the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program,
including state financial support for unfunded mandates such as tiered
reimbursement and parental discounts.
• Supports quality initiatives for family,friends and neighbor care.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
A healthy economic climate is critical to the overall quality of life in Eagle County and Colorado.
The county is working with regional and state partners to create a diverse and resilient economy.
Eagle County:
• Supports the development of a statewide economic development strategy that
addresses issues of business dimate and economic direction at the state level, but
seeks local input and respects local control of economic development.
• Supports appropriate state tax policies and incentive programs,including enterprise
zones,business incentive agreements,or other legislative initiatives,that encourage
business expansion, retention, and attraction through primary job creation,
investment in capital equipment,and employer facility development.
• Supports workforce development,including higher education funding,relevant pre-
and post-secondary vocational training,and STEM curriculum for K-12.
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• Supports efforts to reduce the high costs of health care and health insurance
premiums that have a significant impact on the workforce and employers.
• Supports tourism-centric economic development that can lead to job growth and
economic diversification.
• Supports small-scale cottage industries that assist in broadening the economic base
in resort tourist communities.
• Supports efforts that respect county authority in fostering community beautification
and enhancement. Protection of the natural, scenic, cultural, educational, and
historical environments is key to the success of tourist resort communities and their
economies.
• Supports programs that further sustainable recreation while protecting the
environment on which the economy depends (snow sports,fishing,hunting,boating,
hiking,biking,off-road vehicles,horseback riding,etc.)
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
WATER RESOURCES
Protecting the quality and quantity of Colorado's water is vital to its environment, economy, and
people. A number of policy-making and regulatory efforts are underway which could impact Eagle
County and all Colorado local governments. During these processes,Eagle County will advocate for
legislation, regulations, and other policy approaches that focus on the critical goal of protecting
water quality and quantity,conserving water resources and only developing new supplies as a last
resort. Eagle County:
• Supports Colorado's doctrine of prior appropriation of water, necessary water
conservation efforts and reuse efforts to seek and maintain state primacy and county
control.
• Supports the application of county powers related to water resources,including 1041
powers, to address local impacts on and protection of Colorado's water resources.
1041 powers must be broadly and liberally construed to ensure maximum flexibility
and authority for counties.
• Supports cooperative statewide water planning efforts that do not negatively impact
the basin of origin communities and are supported by such communities.
• Supports efforts to maintain and seek state primacy of federal water quality
programs that adequately fund counties to ensure compliance with the Clean Water
Act.
• Supports legislation that promotes efficient water use and water conservation. The
Colorado State Water Plan provides sustainable water resource management
practices, public policy incentives and regulations to achieve greater conservation
and more efficient use of Colorado's water supply.
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• Supports legislation that restores state funding for the Department of Natural
Resources given severance tax shortfalls and lack of an Aquatic Nuisance Species
program.
• Opposes any attempt to limit application of local 1041 powers.
• Opposes attempts by the federal government to usurp the prior appropriation system
when issuing necessary federal permits.
FOOD SAFETY
Food safety programs are significantly under-resourced in Colorado. Restaurant licensing fees,
which reside in state statute were last increased in 2016 and still fall short of covering the cost of
administering an effective retail food inspection program Increasing restaurant licensing fees will
better balance the public and private investment in food safety programming, allow Colorado's
public health agencies and its restaurant industry to move closer to national best practices for food
safety programs and better protect the public from food-borne illnesses. Eagle County:
• Supports legislation to increase the license fees for retail food establishments or to
move the authority for establishing license fees to the state or local Boards of Health.
AIR QUALITY
Outdoor air quality is a genuine concern in Eagle County. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA
establishes air quality standards to protect public health, with special attention to the health of
"sensitive" populations (children under 10 years, adults over 65 years, and asthmatics). Poor air
quality has significant public health and environmental impacts, from increasing doctor and
hospital admissions, to compromising the unique value of our open space lands and negatively
impacting wildlife and habitat.Eagle County supports state legislative,regulatory,and other efforts
to protect public and environmental health by reducing the emissions of harmful pollutants. Eagle
County:
• Supports state regulation and other policy means to protect air quality.
WILDFIRE MITIGATION AND FOREST HEALTH
Wildfire mitigation measures modify the forest environment surrounding a structure that is at risk
from destruction by a wildfire, while forest health efforts improve the conditions of Colorado's
forests to restore ecosystems to a healthier state. Together, these efforts have the benefit of
minimizing the destructive effects of wildfire on Colorado's communities,land, and environment
Activities such as developing and maintaining defensible space and a safe home ignition zone
around homes, forest thinning, and prescribed fire are common and proven tools for reducing
wildfire risk Local governments have access to an array of tools to reduce the risk of wildfire by
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considering the amount and type of development that occurs in areas at risk for wildfire and
establishing requirements for wildfire mitigation measures for any development within these areas.
Eagle County:
• Supports funding for wildfire mitigation efforts through the reauthorization of the
Department of Natural Resources'Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant Program.
• Supports Iegislative efforts that promote forest health and restoration projects that
improve overall forest conditions.
• Supports forestry projects that reduce fuels for fire and create fuel breaks and safe
escape routes.
• Supports increased private homeowner awareness and participation in the creation
and maintenance of defensible space and a safe home ignition zone; and increased
use of ignition-resistant building materials in residential construction, renovations,
decks,and additions in the wildland urban interface.
• Supports efforts to further develop partnerships with private entities,like insurance
providers and Realtors,to create innovative approaches to motivate property owners
to complete wildfire mitigation actions.
• Supports efforts to seek alternative federal funding options in lieu of United States
Forest Service (USFS) for wildfire response and recovery. This would result in
additional resources for much-underfunded forest management activities.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Colorado's natural environment contributes to its high quality of life and robust economy.
Recognizing this, the state and its local government partners have developed an array of public
policy and programmatic initiatives designed to preserve and protect Colorado's land,water and
natural resources. Examples include the Conservation Easement Tax Credit and Great Outdoors
Colorado. Eagle County will continue to utilize these tools to protect our local environment and will
advocate for their continuation and expansion to ensure the preservation of the environment and
quality of life that Coloradans have grown to expect. Eagle County:
• Supports the development of tools the state and local governments may use to
conserve and protect natural resources.
• Supports efforts to protect floodplains and riparian areas from encroachment
GOVERNANCE AND FISCAL ISSUES
UNFUNDED MANDATES
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In order to effectively serve the needs of their communities,county officials must have the financial
resources and authority commensurate with the responsibilities placed on them by state and
federal laws,regulations and court decisions. In all decision making,state and federal governments
should refrain from solving budget shortfalls with county government resources. State and federal
government should base decisions about laws and regulations affecting county governments on
comprehensive data and measurable outcomes. Relying on these two standards to scrutinize
existing and proposed laws and regulations will help reduce unnecessary, unfunded or
underfunded mandates, streamline government and utilize limited resources more efficiently.
Eagle County:
• Supports the provision of adequate funding for any future state or federally-imposed
mandates upon local government, including the need for technology improvements
necessary to fulfill these mandates.
• Opposes cost shifting from state and federal government to local governments.
LOCAL CONTROL AND FLEXIBILITY
Eagle County believes that the authority to address issues that pertain to the county must reside
firmly with the county,where state or federal authority does not already exist. Local governments
are best suited to identify solutions to local issues,particularly in regards to the services it provides
and the land use decisions that it makes. Local authority also includes the flexibility to determine
use of funding for specific initiatives. The most effective governance results from local, state and
federal officials working in true partnership toward the development and implementation of
programs and services. Eagle County:
• Supports legislative efforts that strengthen and preserve local control and authority
of county governments.
• Opposes legislation that reduces local control or weakens administrative flexibility of
county governments.
SALES AND USE TAX COLLECTIONS
The issue of taxing remote sales has compounded in recent years due to the extraordinary
development of the Internet as a retail marketplace.As a result, state and local governments have
lost billions in uncollected sales taxes and Main Street businesses find themselves at a significant
competitive disadvantage to various online sellers. Eagle County:
• Supports legislation to permit the collection of existing sales and use taxes from
remote sellers.
RULE-MAKING
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Eagle County believes county commissioners are important and necessary stakeholders in any rule-
making process. Eagle County:
• Supports county participation in legislative and regulatory efforts that impact
counties.
• Opposes the exclusion of counties from participating in legislative and regulatory
efforts to promulgate rules and regulations that affect counties.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL PARTNERSHIPS
Eagle County recognizes the important role all levels of government play. Eagle County respects the
unique and important roles of the federal,state and local government, and believes counties are
more than an administrative arm of state government. Commissioners represent the interests of
their constituents, and counties must be viewed as partners, not as a "special" interest. Eagle
County:
• Supports involvement of counties in executive department restructuring that directly
affects operations and programs administered by county government.
• Supports commissioner representation on state boards, commissions and working
groups appointed by members of the executive,legislative or judicial branch whose
decisions affect county government.
LONG-TERM FISCAL STABILITY OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
Eagle County recognizes the importance of a state government that operates in a fiscally
responsible way and advances the economic vitality and well-being of all Coloradans. Eagle County
appreciates the transparency in the state budgeting process and the opportunity to provide input,
and it seeks collaboration with the state, especially with regard to decisions and processes that
affect our organization or our constituents. The state and its counties are intertwined in many
different, significant ways when it comes to the delivery of services to Colorado residents. The
conflicting priorities of the Gallagher Amendment,Amendment 23,and the Taxpayer Bill of Rights
present a complex set of circumstances that must be addressed. Rising costs of doing business,
including the costs of healthcare and health insurance premiums,present a significant challenge for
the state and its counties. Eagle County:
• Supports and will continue to engage with any substantive effort to evaluate and
address the ongoing structural and budgetary challenges that negatively impact the
fiscal stability and sustainability of the State of Colorado and by extension, its local
government partners.
GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY
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Eagle County recognizes that the complexity and diversity of its operations and services required to
meet the needs of the community may expose the county,its officers,and employees to liability for
damage and injury. The county strongly believes that public officers and employees need to be
assured that this liability will not impair the lawful and proper provision of necessary services to
the public. Eagle County:
• Supports legislation that protects the interests of counties, their officers,and their
employees in the lawful and proper performance of their duties and responsibilities.
• Supports legislation that discourages baseless and frivolous claims and demands
made against counties,their officers,and their employees.
• Supports the availability of public liability insurance at reasonable costs and the
ability of counties to reduce these costs through self-insurance.
• Opposes legislation that expands or increases county liability,or,conversely,further
limits county immunity.
WORKERS'COMPENSATION
Eagle County recognizes that the Colorado Workers'Compensation Act was developed as a no-fault
system established "to assure the quick and efficient delivery of disability and medical benefits to
injured workers at a reasonable cost to employers, without the necessity of any litigation,
recognizing that the workers'compensation system in Colorado is based on a mutual renunciation
of common law rights and defenses by employers and employees alike." The county is concerned
aboutany legislation that will erode the ability of an employer to control their claim costs and
inhibit an employer's ability to get competitive quotes from the market for quality insurance
coverage. Eagle County:
• Supports legislation that maintains the spirit of the Colorado Workers'Compensation
Act,for the protection of both Colorado employers and employees.
• Opposes legislation that creates presumptive eligibility coverage within the law,
promotes litigation or adds significant insurance premium costs or administrative
burdens to employers.
ELECTIONS
As with other counties across the state,most responsibility for administering local elections falls on
Eagle County. To that end,Eagle County:
• Supports equitable sharing of the costs of elections by all governmental entities with
a stake in elections.
MOTOR VEHICLE FEE RESTRUCTURING
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The Motor Vehicle responsibilities in county offices, directed by the Colorado Department of
Revenue, are customer service centric,complicated and demanding. Despite the fact that sales of
new and used cars and corresponding registration fee revenues have increased in recent years,
county revenues to administer these services are relatively flat. Eagle County:
• Supports increasing the Clerk Hire Fee and the county share of late fees to enable
counties to keep pace with the necessary costs of providing this service at a level that
meets customers'needs and expectations.
E-RECORDING SURCHARGE FEE EXTENSION
In 2006,the state instituted a surcharge on all recorded documents of$1.00 per document. This
surcharge was intended to help counties pay for systems, equipment and training for electronic
recording of legal documents. Eagle County made this transition several years ago, but there are
ongoing costs to maintain and upgrade the system every year. As protectors of the permanent
public records related to real estate transactions,marriage and death certificates,loans,covenants,
plats and maps,it is imperative that Eagle County preserve these documents in a manner that is
readable for modern technology capabilities. The surcharge is about to sunset Colorado's
recording fees are among the lowest in the nation. Eagle County:
• Supports legislation to extend the e-recording surcharge fee permanently,as well as
to increase the amount retained by the county from$1.00 per document for a total of
$2.00.
HOUSING
Affordable housing is a critical workforce issue in Eagle County and across the state. Eagle County:
• Supports legislation that will remove barriers to attainable and affordable housing.
• Supports legislation that will increase the supply of affordable housing in multifamily
buildings by limiting construction defect litigation.
• Supports legislation that identifies a permanent funding source for the statewide
Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
• Supports legislation that continues the Private Activity Bond program which can be
used to issue revenue bonds for the purpose of financing qualified residential rental
projects or single-family mortgage loans to low- and moderate-income persons and
families.
• Supports legislation that provides mechanisms for regulation, taxation, and
restriction of the short-term rental market.
HUMAN SERVICES
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Eagle County Human Services aims to connect people and strengthen communities by providing
essential services for those who are most in need. Eagle County:
• Supports increased funding for the HB 04-1451 Collaborative Management Program.
• Supports funding to address increases in Adult Protective Services caseloads
resulting from the implementation of mandatory reporting for elder abuse.
• Supports the federal-state-local structure for financing and delivering Medicaid
services.
• Supports policies that reduce the "cliff effect" for people moving off public benefits
toward self-sufficiency.
• Supports efforts under SB 190 to close the funding gap between state allocations and
the costs of administering human services programs.
• Supports funding to address the service gaps for children and adults needing mental
health assessments, evaluations, and culturally competent in-home evidence-based
treatment.
• Supports state-level efforts to provide paid sick leave to all workers. Women and
minorities have disproportionately lower access to paid sick leave, and thus more
negative economic and health impacts when sick.
• Supports sustainable funding for veteran services in Colorado.
• Opposes legislation that would further shift federal and state Medicaid costs to
counties.
LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT
Eagle County seeks to create communities with a sense of place. Land use authority is critical to
shaping safe, well-planned developments, while providing economically and naturally sound
environments to live. Eagle County:
• Supports legislation which would maintain or increase county construction review
and oversight authority,including timely adjudication and appropriate penalties for
building code violations.
• Supports efforts to work with State Departments and other Regulatory Agencies in
order to allow counties more control over the fee structure regarding electrical
permits.
• Supports giving county commissioners authority to approve the use and amount of
the County's portion of revenues designated in a proposed urban renewal plan for tax
increment financing.
• Supports establishing mechanisms ensuring proposed urban renewal projects meet
the current statutory requirement of ameliorating blight or slum conditions.
• Supports right-to-farm ordinances and acquisition of conservation easements and
conservation leases to maintain agricultural uses.
• Opposes legislation which would supersede, override, or preempt local land use
authority both from regulatory and comprehensive master planning perspectives.
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• Opposes legislation which would reduce county construction review and oversight
authority.
• Opposes any state or federal effort to preempt or further limit local government
regulatory authority over any extractive industry.
PUBLIC HEALTH
HEALTH DISPARITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Eagle County supports development, expansion and monitoring of programs to reduce disparities
in health.Persistent health inequities and disparities mean that millions of Americans suffer from a
disproportionately high burden of disease, disability, and premature death.These disparities also
impose an unacceptable fiscal cost. Eagle County:
• Supports funding for effective strategies that work to reduce health disparities and
better understand the underlying causes of health disparities.
• Supports initiatives and efforts to better define and support environmental justice
efforts to promote health equity.
HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND COST
Eagle County promotes availability of and access to quality preventive and primary health care
when not otherwise available through the private sector, including acute and episodic care,
prenatal and postpartum care, evidence-based home visitation programs, child health, family
planning,school health, chronic disease prevention,mental health, child and adult immunizations,
testing and screening services, dental health, nutrition, and health education and promotion
services. The rising costs of healthcare and health insurance premiums have had a significant
impact on the workforce and employers in Eagle County. Eagle County:
• Supports legislation that promotes quality health care access and improves the
affordability of that care.
FAMILY PLANNING AND LONG-ACTING REVERSIBLE CONTRACEPTIVES
By providing greater access to voluntary contraception, including long-acting reversible
contraceptives (LARCs), Colorado has become a national leader in reducing unintended
pregnancies.Since 2009,the Colorado Family Planning Initiative has increased health care provider
education and training and reduced the costs of the most effective forms of long-term
contraceptives, such as intrauterine devices and implants. As a result, the number of Colorado
women choosing these methods has increased dramatically and Colorado has seen unprecedented
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declines in the birthrate and number of abortions.From 2009-2014,the teen birth rate in Colorado
fell 50% and teen abortions declined by 50% thanks to a six-year program that distributed free
LARCs to teens and young women (: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment,
January 2017). Unintended pregnancies have serious health ramifications for mother and baby,as
well as high economic and social costs for the new family. Eagle County:
• Supports legislation that funds LARC distribution efforts for family planning
purposes.
• Supports policies that dedicate funding and resources to Title X Family Planning
Clinics and other reproductive health care organizations in Colorado.
INJURY PREVENTION
Injuries are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 to 44 and are responsible for nearly
193,000 deaths per year. Motor vehicle crashes account for the highest number of unintentional
deaths in Eagle County. Unintentional injuries and suicide are Eagle County's third and fourth
leading causes of death. Slips, trips and falls from steps or stairs are by far the leading cause of
hospitalizations nationwide.Adults ages 55 and older are more prone to becoming victims of falls,
and the resulting injuries can diminish the ability to lead active, independent lives. Suicide is
currently the second leading cause of death among 15 to 24 year olds,and suicide rates are highest
among the 45 to 54 age group. Eagle County:
• Supports legislation to enact a primary seatbelt law.
• Supports a first conviction(driving while impaired)ignition interlock law.
• Supports legislation prohibiting texting and driving,in addition to laws requiring a
hands-free device for mobile communications while driving.
• Supports laws that prevent early licensing of teens, such as those who go through
driver's education.
• Supports other legislation aimed at reducing deaths and injuries from motor vehicle
crashes.
• Supports legislation and policies that increase capacity and infrastructure in the
behavioral health system to raise awareness about mental illness and suicide
prevention.
• Supports legislation that enacts policies proven to reduce injuries,including,but not
limited to a child helmet law and prescription drug monitoring programs.
PUBLIC HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLANS
Colorado's local public health agencies and the state have developed public health improvement
plans as required by the Public Health Act of 2008 (SB 08-194). Developed through a stakeholder
engagement process,these plans assess and set priorities for the public health system and guide the
system in targeting core public health services and functions. Eagle County:
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• Supports funding of local public health systems. Adequate funding will provide
accountability in the systems and assure positive public health outcomes through
program development,implementation,and evaluation.
• Supports funding for more mental health services, especially for more crisis beds
across the State.
COLORADO IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION SYSTEM
The Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS) is a confidential, population-based,
computerized system that collects and disseminates consolidated immunization information for
Coloradans of all ages.Operated by the Colorado Immunization Program at Colorado Department of
Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), CIIS works to increase and sustain high immunization
rates by consolidating immunization records from multiple providers, allowing providers to
generate notices for individuals who are not up-to-date, minimizing over-immunization, and
identifying missed opportunities for immunization. First implemented in 2011,CIIS has struggled
with technical and other issues that have limited its acceptance and use by health care providers,an
outcome which ultimately compromises its effectiveness. Broad,statewide implementation of CIIS
will meet multiple public health priorities,especially for children.Eagle County:
• Supports funding and other approaches to expand implementation of the CIIS.
PUBLIC LANDS
Approximately 85% of the land area in Eagle County is comprised of public lands. This greatly
elevates the importance of federal and state policies related to public lands. Eagle County:
• Supports full Congressional appropriation of Payment-In-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILT) to
compensate counties for the costs associated with the presence of federal tax-exempt
lands.
• Supports all efforts to compensate counties for lost property tax revenue from tax-
exempt lands.
• Supports legislation that encourages the state and federal governments to provide
sufficient funding to local governments to alleviate the burden from the negative
impacts attributable to wildfire, fuel loads, road maintenance, search and rescue
efforts, law enforcement, wildlife, predators, pests, noxious weeds,and undesirable
plants originating on state and federal lands.
• Supports control of the allocation of USFS PILT remaining solely with the boards of
county commissioners.
• Supports proposed legislation that would allow the State Land Board to sell land
directly to local governments.
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• Supports legislation that encourages public land managers to develop and implement
vegetation management programs that create and maintain healthy,diverse wildland
communities and are consistent with affected county policies.
• Supports legislation intended for the recovery and preservation of endangered
species considering all potential impacts and subject to local government
involvement and approval.
• Supports legislation that would create special land designations that are consistent
with land use policies within the county of designation. All proposed wilderness
legislation should include county input.
• Supports efforts by the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife to manage species
appropriately from cost-benefit and economic impacts perspectives.
• Supports efforts to improve hunting and fishing within the county consistent with
local authority while minimizing and mitigating impacts from hunting and fishing on
other affected areas and private property.
• Opposes mandatory linkages among federal payment programs that reduce county
receipts.
• Opposes proposed legislation that would designate wild and scenic rivers or any
designation where Eagle County has not participated in the designation,or where the
designation would conflict with local land use policies.
PUBLIC SAFETY
The Eagle County Sheriff's Office has inmates with mental health issues who need to be evaluated
and treated. Due to the nature of criminal charges, they need to go to a secure facility. Some
inmates plead not guilty by reason of insanity and a judge typically orders a competency
examination. The waiting list for Pueblo is months long and meanwhile,these persons are housed
in county jails. Mind Springs' (mental health service provider) bed space for mental health holds is
also lacking and they are working on expanding their facility in Grand Junction. The county has
recently had situations where all of our holding cells at the Eagle County Detention Facility are full
of inmates with mental health needs. These inmates have to be checked every 15 minutes due to
their condition and this presents resource issues. If these inmates were in a proper mental health
setting,they could be medicated and potentially placed with other inmates. Eagle County:
• Supports funding for more mental health bed space at the state mental health facility
in Pueblo and an increase in the number of mental health beds on the western slope.
SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE PROTECTION
COLORADO COMMUNITIES FOR CLIMATE ACTION POLICY STATEMENT
16
Eagle County is committed to climate protection and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
within county operations, in the community, and in the state. Each year the BoCC reviews the
county's environmental policy statement and considers changes in environmental priorities and
goals. In April 2016, the BoCC adopted a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within Eagle
County operations 5% each year,equating to a 50% reduction by 2030. The 2016 Climate Action
Plan for the Eagle County Community identifies local energy costs, sources of greenhouse gas
emissions, reduction targets, and recommended actions for governments, businesses and
organizations. In 2016, Eagle County adopted the Climate Action Plan for the Eagle County
Community along with towns and other stakeholders, and joined the Colorado Communities for
Climate Action(CC4CA),and adopted a shared Policy Agenda for 2017-2018 (attached as Exhibit 2),
including policy positions pertaining to local and state climate programs, electricity generation,
energy efficiency,transportation,and waste management.
WASTE DIVERSION AND RECYCLING
Eagle County has a strategic plan objective to achieve a waste diversion goal of 30% by 2030. With
investments already made and other strategies being developed for the future,the county is well on
its way to hitting that mark Eagle County:
• Supports legislation to increase the level of recycling and composting in Colorado and
provide Colorado's residents and businesses with increased access to waste
reduction services. According to the CDPHE, Colorado recycles only 19% of its waste,
which is well below the national average of 35% calculated by the EPA. Residential
curbside recycling is available in less than half of counties statewide and more than 65% of
Coloradans never recycle or recycle only sporadically. Eagle County supports Colorado
setting statewide recycling goals with interim targets, ensuring that all Coloradans have
access to recycling services.
• Supports legislation and other means for promoting and advancing product
stewardship. Eagle County supports legislation, regulation, or other means to engage
manufacturers,retailers,and consumers in strategies that maximize the economic benefits,
reduce environmental impacts, and take the end-of-life product disposal management
burden out of the hands of local government. Options include disposal fees,national bottle
law and bottle deposits,computer take-back,recycling leftover paint,and control of toxics,
particularly in electronics. This also includes efforts to support the development of local
end-markets for recycled materials.
• Supports legislation to provide statutory counties with authority to implement pay-
as-you-throw pricing structures. Rate incentives in solid waste have strong and
measurable effects on waste disposal behavior.Studies show that adoption of market-based
pricing strategies similar to those used in the energy and water sectors,amongst others,will
result in increases in recycling and composting rates and reductions in the overall amount
of materials send to landfill. "Pay-as-you-throw" (PAYT) pricing, as it is often described,
accomplishes this by charging the consumers the same amount for every unit of trash that
they dispose of. In other words,volume discounts are prohibited.With aggressive recycling
17
and zero waste goals, Eagle County would like statutory authority commensurate with
Colorado's home rule cities to require local waste haulers to utilize PAYT pricing structures
to incentivize recycling and composting.
• Supports waste-to-energy and brownfield redevelopment incentives. Such programs
which can include education, policies, technical assistance, and fmancial incentives can
provide landfill operations cost-effective strategies for utilizing waste as a resource as well
as finding community benefits for old capped landfills.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Eagle County stands behind the principle of local government retaining the ability to determine the
services and amenities it will provide to its residents. This includes the provision of low-cost,high-
speed broadband Internet access to residents. Unfortunately, the state statutory landscape is
presently a barrier in pursuit of this goal. Signed into law in 2005, SB 05-152 preempts local
governments from providing telecommunication services without a vote of the people. Eagle
County believes that Colorado's local governments should not be handicapped in this fashion,and
will support legislative efforts to re-establish the right of local governments to engage in activities
focused on improving broadband Internet services.Eagle County:
• Supports legislation to re-establish the rights of Colorado local governments to
provide broadband internet services.
• Supports telecommunications policies that encourage equitable access to
telecommunications services (especially high speed Internet access) in both urban
and rural areas.
• Supports the development of federal resources and other mechanisms to assist in
providing telecommunications services,including both data and voice transmission,
to all areas.
• Supports universal service funds, which should be paid into by all communication
service providers and should be used for the purpose of maintaining and enhancing
service in high cost areas.
TRANSPORTATION
Eagle County believes that safe and efficient movement of people and goods is vital to the continued
economic success of the State of Colorado, and to the maintenance of the high quality of life that
Coloradans enjoy. In order to ensure these conditions, Colorado voters,the Colorado Legislature,
the State of Colorado and federal government must be willing to make significant investments to
maintain and improve the state's transportation system,including roads,bridges, and multimodal
systems. Colorado's unique TABOR Amendment, which limits the collection of state revenue,
coupled with a lack of increase in the state and federal"gas tax"since the early 1990's,results in the
Colorado Department of Transportation experiencing a $lbillion per year revenue shortfall. This
18
translates to municipal and county governments taking on greater construction,maintenance,and
financial responsibilities and costs. Eagle County:
• Supports long-term transportation funding at the state and federal levels in the form
of new revenue streams, to meet Colorado's growing transportation and transit
needs.
• Supports innovative transportation funding mechanisms like a Vehicle Miles
Traveled(user)tax.
• Supports financing tools, including, but not limited to bonding, public private
partnerships and the issuing of state tax credits as options for expediting
transportation projects,when offset by new revenue streams.
• Supports extending transfers from the state general fund to transportation(enacted
under SB09-228), and supports expanding the uses of these funds for maintenance,
provided new funding for transportation construction projects is in place.
• Supports initiatives and programs that provide multi-modal funding opportunities,
including infrastructure for trails.
• Supports legislation and programs that enable affordable, safe and efficient public
transportation in resort-based communities.
• Supports the implementation of new technologies to improve safety and increase
mobility.
• Supports policies that promote alternative modes of transportation and alternative
fuels to achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
• Supports efforts to reduce closures on 1-70 during the winter months.
• Supports new infrastructure and road improvement projects as contemplated in the
I-70 Mountain Corridor Record of Decision.
• Supports the availability of federal Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) dollars for road
and bridge needs.
• Supports an equitable Highway Users Transportation Fund (HUTF) allocation
formula and restrictions on the use of"off the top"diversions.
• Supports legislation that ensures local shareback is provided for transportation
projects from all transportation revenue sources.
• Supports state funding for the Safe Routes to School program.
• Opposes financing mechanisms that are not offset through new funding streams.
• Opposes efforts to pass along additional State roadway construction or maintenance
responsibilities to local governments,without increased and adequate funds to meet
these additional responsibilities.
• Opposes funding mechanisms which eliminate or reduce local shareback for
transportation projects.
• Opposes any reduction in the Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation and
Economic Recovery Act of 2009(FASTER).
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erc c AT
T
Counties & Commissioners Acting Together
Counties and individual commissioners across Colorado working to provide a unified, nonpartisan and independent voice at the
statehouse. Collectively, CCAT represents all regions of the state and the diversity of issues facing every corner of Colorado.
2018 Policy Priorities
Eon> Working Families& Economic Vitality 1 GOVERNING BOARD
> Promote Healthy People&Communities 2 Co-chairs
> Environmental Resiliency 3 Tim Mauck,Clear Creek
> Local Control& Local Design of Communities 5 Rachel Richards, Pitkin
➢ Protect Public Lands 6
Members
Deb Gardner, Boulder
Kathy Chandler-Henry,Eagle
WORKING FAMILIES& ECONOMIC VITALITY j Rich Cimino,Grand
John Messner,Gunnison
Ben Tisdel,Ouray
CCAT supports: Tim Corrigan, Routt
Hilary Cooper,San Miguel
> Increased economic opportunity and improved equity and self-sufficiency for Karn Stiegelmeier,Summit
all Coloradans.
> Promoting local economic development policies that provide pathways to
living-wage careers and enhance community economic vitality,through means
such as employment readiness,job training, and self-sufficiency programs. MEMBERSHIP
Steve O'Doriso,Adams
2018 POLICY PRIORITY:Affordable Housing Eva Henry,Adams
Nancy Jackson,Arapahoe
CCAT urges policies that develop tools and funding sources for the development of Michael Whiting,Archuleta
affordable and available workforce housing solutions at the State and local level. Cindy Domenico,Boulder
Elise Jones, Boulder
Access to affordable and available workforce housing is arguably the most significant Keith Baker,Chaffee County
Wheelock,Clear Creek
issue that is occurring in counties throughout Colorado. With the population of Randy Jill Ryan, Eagle
Colorado expected to double in the next 25 years this is a problem that will certainly Jeanne McQueeney, Eagle
become more severe without pro-active measures being taken. Gail Watson,Gilpin
Ron Engels,Gilpin
1. Engage with Housing Colorado and other stakeholders to revise and Linda isenhart,Gilpin
reintroduce HB 17-1309, Documentary Fee to Fund Affordable Housing. Jonathan Houck,Gunnison
Casey Tighe,Jefferson
Consider: Julie Westendorff,La Plata
Gwen Lachelt,La Plata
• Increasing the amount of money generated for the fund; Steve Child, Pitkin
• Pursuing funding sources other than just the documentary fee; Peter McKay,San Juan
iguel
• Keeping funds in county of origin; Joan May,San
Kris Holstrom,Sann Miguel
• Tailoring fund mechanics to better address needs at the county or Thomas Davison,Summit
regional level; and, Dan Gibbs, Summit
• Tailoring fund mechanics to provide distribution of revenues directly
to local governments.
For more information on these or other CCAT issues,please contact Aponte& Busam Public Affairs
Ruth Aponte(303)907 1980 •Sura Odendahl(303)506 2348 •Kachina Weaver(303)883 7076
2. Expand allowable uses for the Lodging Tax established by CRS 30-11-1073 to include community and
workforce housing, either through the county or local housing authority. Currently,these funds are
dedicated only to tourism advertising and marketing.
2018 POLICY PRIORITY: Human Services Funding
CCAT urges additional state funding be provided to human services programs serving children and families.
The strength of local human services departments is critical to a healthy community and dependent on State
funding.
House Bill 14-1317 made sweeping changes to CCCAP and the recent County Administration Workload Study
does not appropriately reflect the need of counties for additional funding to address unmet needs which
exceed counties' current capacity. While additional funding has been provided for new child welfare
caseworkers, it does not address the overall demand for services and workload across the entire state.
1. Increase appropriation to the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)to ensure continued
access to subsidized child care, increase rates to encourage higher quality child care settings,and
support the new tiered system.
2. Expand the workforce study to provide a comprehensive picture of need and provide funding for the
recommendations developed.
3. Provide additional funding for the child welfare block appropriation to address:
• increased reports of child abuse/neglect; and,
• Support the cost of doing business for this crucial child safety program.
PROMOTE HEALTHY PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES
CCAT supports:
A Establishing and sustaining healthy communities that strengthen (1) individuals and families and (2)
positive outcomes for the future.
> Policies that will ensure support healthy lives for Coloradans, including the well-being of seniors;
providing access to health care for all, including behavioral health care, maintain safe and affordable
housing;and, improving access to effective and efficient public benefits and services.
Colorado counties are the front door to the state's health system, investing significant limited local resources in
community health systems. Colorado counties help provide financial support to local hospitals,skilled nursing
facilities, behavioral health authorities and public health departments.
Medicaid provides important and critical coverage for Coloradans statewide. In rural areas it is a is a key factor
in keeping rural health care providers afloat, preserving resident's ability to maintain critical access to hospitals
and primary care providers. Increased health care coverage through subsidies and Medicaid directly supports
jobs and the economy, especially in rural communities. In addition health care jobs associated with Medicaid
offer skilled,livable-wage jobs to hundreds of rural Coloradoans.
Page 2
2018 POLICY PRIORITY: Health Care Stability
CCAT urges the following protections for Colorado communities:
For Rural Colorado
1. Protect communities from a pendulum swing. The health care economies in rural communities are
uniquely unable to absorb rapid changes to the health care landscape, due to their ongoing challenges
in obtaining health care providers and already precarious budgets.
2. Protect local authority and autonomy. A one-size-fits-all approaches to health care reform will
exacerbate inefficiencies and inequities, placing communities that already struggle to find affordable,
quality care at a greater disadvantage.
3. Protect and support continued Federal investments. Rural residents are disproportionately reliant on
federal programs and subsidies to help them maintain access to quality health care. Rural health
providers, including physicians and hospitals, typically operate on slim budgets and are not able to
absorb additional reductions.
For Urban/Suburban Colorado
1. Reject approaches that simply shift cost onto state and local governments. 93.3% of Coloradans
currently have insurance, in part due to the expansion of coverage under the Affordable Care Act. If
federal funding is taken away from states, an estimated $14 billion shortfall will be passed on to state
and local governments. It is essential to ensure a sufficient,sustained federal share of funding as state
and local governments simply do not have the capacity to absorb a proportionately larger share of the
program cost. Doing so would cause devastating impacts on other areas of budget such as education
and transportation.
2. Address rigid fiscal policies embedded in our state constitution, including TABOR, Amendment 23 and
Gallagher, which limit the flexibility and budgeting tools available to state policymakers. While federal
cost shifting to state and local governments is an issue across the country it is a particular challenge in
Colorado because of these policies.
3. Reject approaches that create an uneven playing field in the health care market. Instability increases
costs. Any transition to a new system must provide adequate time for carriers to implement changes
in a way that minimizes impact to their business model and consumers.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCY
CCAT supports:
> Policies to promote environmental resiliency through multi-modal transportation;appropriate land use
practices and development; energy efficiency and renewable energy; and, conservation of resources
through agricultural and forestry practices which ensure healthy land,water and air.
Reasonable regulation of extractive industries to protect air and water quality, reduce carbon and
methane emissions, and reduce public health and safety impacts to residents.
Page 3
2018 POLICY PRIORITY: Transportation
CCAT urges establishing a new dedicated funding stream for statewide multimodal transportation investments,
which does not divert revenues from current state spending priorities.
1. Dedicate a significant portion of this new funding to multimodal purposes:
• A minimum of 30%, based on MPACT64 agreement;
• Focus on transit, bicycle, pedestrian, senior, and transportation demand-management
investments;
• Funding for both transit capital and ongoing operations;and,
• Allocated by local governments in collaboration with transit providers.
2. Direct a significant portion of this new funding should be directed to local governments for
transportation improvements, reconstruction, maintenance, and operations. This is necessary to
support local transportation needs and priorities.
3. Strongly consider managed lanes and multi-modal options during the planning and development of
significant capacity improvements on state highway facilities:
• This approach follows the US 36 model and supports regional equity;
• Managed lanes will ensure that new capacity will be congestion-free for the long-term and
encourage transit and high occupancy/car share alternatives;
• Colorado Department of Transportation should be working toward a unified transportation
system that embraces new technologies and supportive infrastructure necessary address the
ever increasing volume.
4. Prohibit bonding authority unless accompanied by new revenue:
• Repayment of bonds for new infrastructure should not be at the expense of maintaining existing
infrastructure.
2018 POLICY PRIORITY: Forest Health
CCAT urges encouraging healthy forests of the future,allowing natural disturbance cycles in backcountry forests
and focusing active management in wildland urban interface areas and around critical community
infrastructure.
1. Address residential development in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI):
• Increase support for county implementation of the Department of Local Affairs' "Planning for
Hazard's Guide";
• Develop local tools to restrict new residential development in the WUI and/or place financial
responsibility of State/Federal firefighting efforts in such development to the developer or the
homeowner.
2. Focus State wildfire mitigation funding on protecting critical community infrastructure especially
drinking water resources;
• Incent and fund forest management activities that protect valuable headwaters and watersheds;
• Require all treatments for forest health and restoration and timber harvest to include wildfire
mitigation for watersheds with current best management practices to protect watersheds.
3. Encourage healthy forests that are allowed to naturally adapt to climate change.
• Support prescribed fire as an effective tool for restoration.
Page 4
• Make air-quality and other permitting processes more flexible to that prescribed fire can be used
in a timely manner.
4. Support a more balanced representation on the State Forest Health Advisory Council to include non-
timber industry stakeholders,wildlife biologists, and up-to-date ecological science experience.
5. Coordinate on legislative solutions with the Wildfire Matters Interim Legislative Committee.
LOCAL CONTROL & LOCAL DESIGN OF COMMUNITIES
CCAT:
> Supports policies that ensure the efficient delivery of community services in collaboration with state
and federal partners that meet local needs.
> Opposes mandates for services delivery that are not supported with commensurate,adequate financial
resources.
2018 POLICY PRIORITY: Oil and Gas Development& Impact on Local Communities
CCAT urges strengthening state-level safeguards and standards related to oil and gas development to ensure
public health, safety and welfare, and expand the authority of local governments to oversee oil and gas
development in alignment with community needs and desires.
Oil and gas development is an intensive industrial activity that has resulted in recent accidents and deaths,and
that can have significant impacts on the environment and climate, public health, property values, and quality of
life. Conflicts and concerns have skyrocketed in recent years as the size, density and intensity of drilling
proposals near homes, schools and waterways has grown.
1. Affirm and expand the authority of counties and municipalities to regulate land use activities of the oil
and gas industry, including through the use of zoning powers, and to clarify that state regulations in this
arena are minimum standards that local governments can strengthen as needed to address local
concerns, conditions and desires.
2. Review Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) rules to ensure they adequately
prioritize public health and safety.The Colorado Court of Appeals decision in Martinez v. COGCC ruled
that COGCC's statutory mission"mandates that the development of oil and gas in Colorado be regulated
subject to the protection of public health, safety, and welfare, including protection of the environment
and wildlife resources."
3. Require mapping of all oil and gas facilities, wells and pipelines, including existing, abandoned and
orphaned infrastructure, and making that information available to state and local governments.
4. Increase leak detection and repair requirements, especially for smaller oil and gas facilities to ensure
better enforcement of public safety testing of existing and plugged and abandoned pipelines and other
facilities.
Page 5
5. Reform the practice of forced pooling to significantly raise the percentage of participation required
before forced pooling is allowed,require annual reporting on the magnitude of people and mineral rights
impacted, and increase notification and response times.
PROTECT PUBLIC LANDS
CCAT:
> Supports policy to manage public lands and natural resources while balancing diverse needs and rights
of community stakeholders. Specifically,
o Preserving open spaces for recreation use,wildlife habitat, and sustainability of our agricultural
heritage; and,
o Managing our wildland urban interface area for both fire preparedness and healthy forests.
> Opposes efforts for the disposal, transfer, sale or conversion of federal public lands to state, local or
private ownership.
Public lands provide irreplaceable economic, environmental, ecological, recreational and health benefits to our
citizens and visitors. Federal public lands are open to the public while only 20%of Colorado State-owned lands
are open to the public. Federal public land transfers would have long-term detrimental impacts to our local
economies, environment and headwaters, employment and quality of life. The Colorado outdoor recreation
industry generates roughly $13 billion in consumer spending; 125,000 direct jobs; $4 billion in wages and
salaries; and $0.9 billion in state/local tax revenue. 95% of Coloradans visited Colorado's 22.9 million acres of
federal public lands in 2014.
2018 Policy Priority: Protect Federal Lands& Recreation Management
CCAT urges the retention of Colorado's federal public lands as federal public lands.
1. Provide needed funding to federal land agencies that allows for upkeep of public assets and
completion of decades-long deferred maintenance projects.
2. Eliminate United States Forest Service fund transfers for fire-fighting,to retain vital operations
funding.
3. Provide permanent full funding of the Payment in Lieu of Taxes and Secure Rural Schools programs,
which serve to partially replace funds counties need to provide essential services including education,
public safety, and environmental stewardship.
Page 6
•
CC4CA
Colorado Communities
for Climate Action
POLICY AGENDA FOR 2017-2018
.0.1or0.9..C9111MILAits for CiirMtg ActiQn is a coalition of local governments advocating for
policies that protect Colorado's climate for current and future generations.CC4CA's policy priorities
for 2017-2018 reflect unanimous agreement among the coalition members on steps that should
be taken at the state level, often in partnership with local governments,to enable Colorado and
its communities to lead in protecting the climate.These steps would complement the strong local
climate actions CC4CA members already have underway.The policy agenda primarily includes
specific policies to be undertaken by the state government,but CC4CA will also be active in 2017-
2018 in advocating for federal actions.
General Policy Priorities
The following general principles guide the specific policies for which Colorado Communities for
Climate Action advocates.CC4CA:
• Supports state and federal government collaboration with Colorado's local governments
to advance local climate protection action through the provision of information,technical
assistance,funding,and other resources.
• Supports state and federal programs directly and indirectly related to achieving reductions in
heat-trapping emissions, and continued and adequate funding of those programs.
• Supports analyses,financial incentives,and enabling policies for the development and
deployment of clean energy technologies.
• Supports state and federal impact assistance programs requested by affected communities
that are impacted by the reduced use of fossil fuels for power production.
Specific Policy Positions
Colorado Communities for Climate Action supports the following policy positions:
Local Climate Programs
1.Supports state-level actions to remove barriers and promote opportunities that allow counties
and statutory cities and towns to maximize the deployment of local clean energy options.
The deployment of local energy generation and technology will continue to be a critical
component of Colorado communities' climate efforts. In many cases, regulatory or legislative
limitations exist that will need to be removed for communities to fully explore new local program
options and technologies that can effectively reduce fossil fuel use,increase energy resilience,
and support community values related to climate protection. For example,the integration of local
1
renewable energy,storage technologies, and microgrids all support a local jurisdiction's ability to
address the supply side of energy-related emissions.
2.Supports requiring local governments with adopted building codes to include the 2015 or
newer International Energy Conservation Code,or provisions substantially similar to it,in their
building codes and to develop a process for updating the energy code on a regular basis.
House Bill 07-1146,adopted in 2007, required cities and counties in Colorado with building codes
to adopt and enforce a building energy code at least as stringent as the 2003 International Energy
Conservation Code.That law was effective in stimulating local jurisdictions to adopt an up-to-
date model energy code, but the 2003 IECC"floor"is now outdated, which could be remedied by
amending the legislation to make the 2015 IECC the new minimum standard.The Southwest Energy
Efficiency Project estimates that about 40 percent of new construction in the state is being built in
jurisdictions where the 2015 IECC(or better)has been adopted. However, numerous jurisdictions in
Colorado are still on the 2006 or 2009 IECC.As a result, new construction there is much less energy
efficient than it could or should be.SWEEP estimates the incremental cost for building a new home
that meets the 2015 IECC is about$2,400,relative to a home built to the 2006 IECC.The annual
energy savings is worth about$390,meaning a six-year simple payback.
3.Supports state government actions to enable local governments to obtain the energy use and
other data they need to effectively address climate change.
Local governments need convenient and consistent access to data that is essential for developing
and administering local programs that address clean and efficient energy and reductions in heat-
trapping emissions. For example,access to uniform data from electric and gas utilities is critical
for implementing building energy use disclosure and benchmarking programs designed to make
sure building owners,tenants, and others can be fully informed about energy performance. Local
governments also struggle to get consistent data regarding waste collection and disposal, oil and gas
operations, and other sources of heat-trapping emissions. CC4CA supports state government actions
and policies that lead to uniform systems for collection and distribution of data from investor-owned
and public utilities that is easily accessible to local governments, while still protective of data privacy
for residents and businesses.
State Climate-Specific Programs
4.Supports statutory codification of aggressive and enforceable goals to reduce net statewide
heat-trapping emissions,including the goal of reducing emissions by more than 26 percent by
2025,compared to 2005 levels, as established by Governor John Hickenlooper through executive
order,and including a further goal of reducing emissions by at least 80 percent by 2050,compared
to 2005 levels.
In July 2017,Governor Hickenlooper issued cy y Qr ler b 2Q17:Qi5 which,among other
things, set an official state goal of reducing statewide heat-trapping emissions by more than 26
percent by 2025,compared to 2005 levels.This would have Colorado do our share to fulfill the
national commitment the United States made under the Paris Agreement.CC4CA has applauded
2
the governor for his action,which provides an essential framework for shaping climate protection
actions in Colorado.
CC4CA also supports an additional goal of reducing emissions by at least 80 percent by 2050,
building on the goal set in 2008 by then-governor Bill Ritter,Jr., in remit Jyg_Qrder D QQ4 Q4.This
would have Colorado do our share to achieve the global emission reductions which scientists say
must be achieved or even exceeded to protect the climate from dangerous human interference.
CC4CA supports the codification of the state's emission reduction goals in statute,as other states
have done, so that they remain the cornerstone of state climate protection actions over time,
including following transitions from one governor to another.
5.Supports legislative, regulatory,and administrative actions by the Colorado state government
to achieve the state's emission reduction goals and to implement the Colorado Climate Plan,and
requests an opportunity for meaningful,sustained engagement by CC4CA in developing those
specific steps.
New concrete actions are necessary to achieve the state's emission reduction goals established
by Governor Hickenlooper and to carry out theQQlor@ 19.0imm@te MAD he released in 2015,which is
a high-level overview document of state actions for adapting to future climate change impacts and
reducing heat-trapping emissions.The governor and other state officials are now considering a new
series of steps to develop concrete policy actions to meet the goals of the executive order and the
general goals described in the plan. CC4CA believes it essential that the state government provide
an opportunity for meaningful, sustained collaboration with local governments in developing
specific climate actions,and proposes that representatives of CC4CA be included in that process.
Following the July 2017 release of Governor Hickenlooper's executive order,CC4CA initiated a
letter to the governor through which 75 local elected officials expressed support for the executive
order and its goals and stated their readiness and willingness to help his administration shape and
implement concrete, measurable actions that will be needed to meet these goals.
6.Supports the development of a new forecast of future heat-trapping emissions reflecting
Colorado laws and Colorado-specific information by the Colorado Department of Public Health
and Environment,with input from local government and other stakeholders.
The "C or d Gr enhous Inv n r :2 14 202 2 "
__4�---�--Q---g___------�_S�� � ��Y__-Q---.........................................._._4_$s__S��Q�
prepared by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment,includes a forecast of
statewide emissions that utilizes federal Environmental Protection Agency nationwide assumptions
about future emissions policies.As a result,the inventory does not reflect currently adopted
Colorado laws and policies,such as our Renewable Energy Standard.Without this information,it is
impossible to tell what progress Colorado is already on track to make—or not make—in reducing
future heat-trapping emissions.CC4CA in July 2017 sent a letter to CDPHE recommending the
development of a new Colorado inventory of heat-trapping emissions that incorporates existing
Colorado law and policy in order to more accurately track the state's progress in achieving its
emissions reduction goals,and will continue working for that action.
3
7.Supports a comprehensive market-based policy to reduce Colorado's heat-trapping emissions.
Climate change is considered a market failure by economists, because it imposes huge costs on
society—so-called external costs—that are not normally reflected in the prices of the goods and
services causing the cost.To overcome this market failure,CC4CA supports an effort to internalize
the costs,by putting a price on heat-trapping emissions and allowing that price to help drive
emission reductions.Such a market-based approach could be undertaken at national, regional,
or state levels, and could take different forms. One approach would be a tax on heat-trapping
emissions. Another would be a cap-and-trade program that allows trading of limited emission
rights that are sold and then could be traded to achieve economically efficient emission reductions.
Examples are the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in northeastern U.S. states,which includes
both in-state and regional trading via the Western Climate Initiative.
Electricity Generation
8.Supports concrete state government actions to reduce emissions from the electricity sector in
Colorado by at least 25 percent by 2025 and at least 35 percent by 2030,compared to 2012 levels,
consistent with the goals established by Governor John Hickenlooper through executive order.
Executive Order D 2017-015 establishes new state goals for reducing emissions from the
electricity sector that are consistent with what the state had under consideration to comply with the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan under the Obama administration. CC4CA
believes that greater emission reductions are possible than called for in the executive order and that
further reductions are needed into mid-century,especially given the more ambitious targets that
Xcel Energy has identified as achievable in its Colorado Energy Plan currently under consideration
by the Public Utilities Commission. CC4CA supports concrete actions by the Colorado Public Utilities
Commission and/or the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to ensure the new
goals in the executive order are achieved,and to achieve greater reductions beyond them.
9.Supports the early decommissioning and retirement of existing fossil-fuel based generation
facilities and their replacement with clean energy supplies,through means that protect both
utilities and consumers.
CC4CA supports actions in Colorado to enable the early retirement of fossil-fuel based power
plants and their replacement with clean energy sources,while protecting the economic interests of
both the utilities owning the power plants and electricity customers.
In the Colorado General Assembly's 2017 session,CC4CA supported legislation to allow
refinancing of older, less efficient power plants,by way of ratepayer-backed bonding,that could
make it possible to retire those plants in favor of newer, cleaner sources,while protecting the
economic interests of both utilities and consumers. In August 2017, Xcel Energy and more than a
dozen other entities(including the City of Boulder,a CC4CA member)announced an agreement
to seek approval from the Public Utilities Commission of a proposal to retire two old,coal-fired
generators at the Comanche power plant in Pueblo,to be replaced with newer energy sources with
lower(or no)heat-trapping emissions. The coalition said the proposal is predicated on the cost of
the new energy sources meeting or beating the current cost of power from the power plants to be
retired.
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Across the nation,the generation of electricity is rapidly and increasingly shifting from coal-
fired power plants to less polluting plants, driven primarily by economic forces but sometimes also
by governmental policies and actions,from climate action plans to new authority for refinancing
existing plants.The shift to cleaner electricity generation is driving down heat-trapping emissions
from that sector and holding down overall national emissions.
10.Supports preservation of the ability of electric cooperatives to independently purchase local
renewable electricity,consistent with the decisions of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
that both direct and indirect restrictions on such ability are in violation of federal law.
Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association,first directly through attempts to impose
contractual limitations and then indirectly through attempts to impose fees,has tried to keep
its customer electric cooperatives from being able to purchase electricity generated from local
renewable sources by other suppliers. In decisions involving Tri-State and Delta Montrose Electric
Association,the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has found these attempts to be in
violation of the Public Utilities Regulatory Policy Act,which actually requires a coop to purchase
such electricity, and has blocked Tri-State from.blocking those purchases,either through direct
contractual prohibitions or indirectly through the imposition of fees.CC4CA supports preservation of
the ability of coops to purchase non-polluting electricity,free from these or any similar limitations,
as allowed under federal law and these FERC decisions.
11.Supports state legislation to incrementally increase the Renewable Energy Standard.
Colorado's current Renewable Energy Standard requires electricity providers to obtain these
minimum percentages of their power from renewable energy sources:
• Investor-owned utilities: 30 percent by 2020, of which 3 percent must come from distributed
energy resources.
• Large rural electric cooperatives:20 percent by 2020.
• Municipal utilities and small rural electric cooperatives: 10 percent by 2020.
This standard has been one of the most effective state policies in facilitating the transition from
carbon-intensive fossil fuel electricity sources to renewable sources,and CC4CA supports giving
consideration to incrementally increasing the standard for all three types of utilities.
12.Supports state legislation to require the Public Utilities Commission to consider all
environmental and health costs of the fuels used by investor-owned utilities to generate
electricity.
Electric utilities should be required to include the costs of heat-trapping emissions when
developing their long-term integrated resource plans, as would have been required under a bill
considered in the 2016 session of the Colorado General Assembly.The"social cost of carbon" is the
economic cost of the impacts of heat-trapping emissions, which can be used to compare the overall
costs and benefits of alternative energy sources. Legislation requiring utilities to generate at least
one scenario identifying the impacts of heat-trapping emissions would enable utilities, regulators,
ratepayers, and others to better understand the true costs of different choices for electricity
generation.
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13.Supports state net metering policies that incentivize distributed generation installations, in
ways that are consistent with current net metering policies.
Participation and customer survey data demonstrate that metering, billing, and rate policies are
important to utility customers who invest in distributed energy technologies.Colorado's current
net metering policies allow electric customers who make such investments,primarily in the form
of rooftop solar systems,to net their solar energy production against their consumption.Available
in 43 states,this simple billing arrangement is one of the most important policies for encouraging
rooftop solar and other on-site clean energy options. Net metering also helps foster the voluntary
reduction of heat-trapping emissions,contributes to the reliability of the electricity supply and
distribution systems,supports the residential and small-commercial renewable energy industry,and
helps to more quickly replace coal-fired power plants with cleaner sources of energy. In recent years
utilities have sought approval from regulatory bodies in many states to either abandon or reduce
net metering rates.CC4CA supports Colorado's existing net-metering protocols,and opposes efforts
to weaken or eliminate this important clean energy incentive.
Energy Efficiency
14.Supports legislative, regulatory,and administrative actions for electric utilities to achieve
energy-efficiency savings of 2 percent per year beyond 2020, building on the 2020 goal established
by Governor Hickenlooper through executive order. Municipal and cooperative utilities should
also adopt and achieve similar efficiency targets.
In the 2017 session of the Colorado General Assembly,CC4CA supported HB 17-1227,which was
enacted to extend an existing law, requiring regulated utilities to achieve electricity savings of 5
percent of retail sales from 2018-2028.Colorado utilities have already demonstrated that they can
readily exceed this modest goal.The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project reports that from 2008-16
Xcel Energy and Black Hills Energy achieved 10 percent savings,well over 1 percent per year, with an
overall benefit-to-cost ratio of more than two-to-one,and saving households and businesses nearly
$1.4 billion net over that time period. Governor Hickenlooper's Executive Order D 2017-015 set a
new goal to achieve 2 percent per year-energy efficiency by 2020,which is readily achievable and
should be extended beyond that date.
15.Supports ongoing and sustainable funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program.
Low-income and vulnerable households spend a disproportionately large age of their income
on energy utility bills.The federal Weatherization Assistance Program was created in 1976 to
address this problem.Administered here by the Colorado Energy Office, WAP provides funding
to locally administered home weatherization programs to provide free weatherization services to
Colorado's low-income residents in order to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Colorado
supplements its annual federal WAP allocation with state severance tax dollars,both of which can
be volatile sources of revenue.A stable revenue stream for Colorado's eight WAP programs would
support the dual goals of assisting families in reducing their energy bills while promoting safe,
comfortable,and energy-efficient housing.
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16.Supports state enabling legislation to provide counties and statutory cities and towns with
the same authority held by home rule cities to implement local energy efficiency policies and
programs.
Unlike their home rule municipal peers,Colorado counties and statutory cities and towns in
many cases lack authority to adopt and implement energy efficiency policies and programs. For
example, only Colorado home rule cities have statutory authorization to enact such ordinances,
but they are proven policy tools for improving the energy efficiency and performance of existing
buildings,typically commercial and multi-family residential buildings. Enabling legislation is needed
to provide Colorado's counties and statutory cities and towns with the authority necessary to enact
policies and programs that can support and promote these energy efficiency measures within their
jurisdictions.
Transportation
17.Supports adoption by the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission of California's motor
vehicle emission standards, including requirements for zero-emission vehicles,as allowed by the
federal Clean Air Act and as already done by many other states.
The federal Clean Air Act provides authority for California to adopt its own emission standards
for new motor vehicles,if at least as stringent as federal standards, and for other states to adopt the
California standards.Twelve states plus Washington, D.C., have adopted California's basic emission
standards.These states represent about 35 percent of the nation's population and the same
share of new motor vehicle sales.Also, nine states have adopted the specific California standards
requiring manufacturers to achieve specified sales of zero tailpipe-emission vehicles(battery-only
electric vehicles).CC4CA supports Colorado adopting the California vehicle standards, including
those for zero-emission vehicles.
The separate California vehicle standards have enjoyed unusual bipartisan support,including
among Colorado's congressional delegation, both as an example of cooperative federalism among
federal and state governments and as important for protecting the climate. A June 2017 letter to
the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency supporting continuation of the EPA
waivers under the Clean Air Act for the California standards was signed by Rep. Mike Coffman,
Republican of Colorado,and Rep.Jared Polis, Democrat of Colorado, along with other Congressmen
of both parties.
In recent years,the basic California standards have been synchronized with federal emission
and fuel efficiency standards.The Trump administration is now considering rolling back the federal
standards,which would make the California standards even more important in reducing heat-
trapping emissions. Reducing emissions from the transportation sector is increasingly important as
emissions from electricity generation have fallen, and transportation is now the sector producing
the most heat-trapping emissions.
18.Supports new state government incentives for the purchase and use of zero emission vehicles,
and the development of the infrastructure needed to support the use of those vehicles across
Colorado.
Nationally,transportation has become the sector responsible for the most heat-trapping
emissions. Colorado's recent population growth has led to a commensurate increase in vehicle miles
traveled,which has overtaken the emissions reductions made possible through the increasing fuel
efficiency of the statewide vehicle fleet. Electrification of light-and heavy-duty vehicles,as well
as other emerging zero-emissions technologies,holds perhaps the greatest promise for emissions
reductions in this sector.CC4CA supports legislative,regulatory,and administrative action to
increase the adoption of electric vehicles by investing in electric vehicle charging stations, educating
customers about EVs, and providing customer incentives. CC4CA also supports committing a portion
of Colorado's share of the Volkswagen emissions control violations settlement to the construction
of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Colorado,an expressly approved use of these
funds, as CC4CA urged in comments it submitted to the state in 2016.CC4CA also supports Colorado
adoption of the California motor vehicle emission standards(see#17 above),including their
provisions on sales of zero-emission vehicles.
Methane
19.Supports additional Air Quality Control Commission action to reduce emissions of methane
from oil and gas operations.
Methane has a much more potent(although short-lived)heat-trapping effect than carbon
dioxide,and reducing methane emissions is a highly effective way to buy some time for more
comprehensive actions to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. In 2014 Colorado became the first state
in the nation to limit methane emissions from oil and gas operations when the Air Quality Control
Commission(AQCC)adopted rules that require oil and gas companies to find and fix methane
leaks,as well as install technology that captures emissions of both methane and volatile organic
compounds,which contribute to ground-level ozone pollution. Pending is a decision by the AQCC,
following an October 2017 hearing,on whether to adopt proposed revisions to these regulations
to increase hydrocarbon emission reductions in the Denver Metro Area/North Front Range non-
attainment area for inclusion in Colorado's state implementation plan to meet federal ground-level
ozone air quality standards.The revisions,which would improve on existing requirements to control
equipment leaks at natural gas processing plants and well production facilities,would also reduce
methane emissions.The AQCC may also consider adopting similar requirements on facilities on a
state-wide basis.
Solid Waste Reduction
20.Supports adoption and implementation of a plan by the Colorado Department of Public
Health and Environment to achieve the statewide waste diversion goals established by the Solid
and Hazardous Waste Commission.
Recycling and composting reduce emissions of both methane and carbon dioxide.Colorado has
a low solid waste diversion rate of 19 percent, compared with the national average of 35 percent.
In August 2017,the Colorado Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission adopted new statewide and
regional municipal solid waste diversion goals, including separate goals for 11 Front Range counties
and for the remainder of the state for the years 2021,2026,and 2036.Statewide,the goal is to
increase the diversion rate to 45 percent by 2036.
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CC4CA supports:
• The development and implementation of a plan to achieve at a minimum the diversion rates
adopted by the Commission.
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment evaluation of whether additional
legislative authority is needed to effectively manage diversion programs, including but
not limited to economic and technical assistance for local and regional waste diversion
programs and facilities,a concern identified in the 2016 Integrated Solid Waste& Materials
Management Plan.
• Consideration of statewide bans of specific materials from landfills,such as the prohibitions
now in place on electronic devices and paint products,and advanced disposal fee policies for
certain products, such as those already enacted for paints and waste tires.
For more information:
• Rebecca Myers at Frontline Public Affairs, CC4CA's contract lobbying firm:
rebecca@frontlinepublicaffairs.com, (303)704-7350.
• Tom Easley at the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization,which administers
CC4CA for its members:
easley@rockymountainclimate.org,(303)593-0853.
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