BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) McCluskie and Bird, Bacon, Boesenecker, Brown, Camacho, Clifford, Duran, English, Espenoza, Froelich, Garcia, Gilchrist, Hamrick, Jackson, Joseph, Lieder, Lindsay, Lindstedt, Lukens, Marshall, McCormick, Paschal, Phillips, Ricks, Rutinel, Rydin, Sirota, Smith, Stewart K., Stewart R., Story, Titone, Valdez, Velasco, Willford, Woodrow, Zokaie;
also SENATOR(S) Bridges and Amabile, Ball, Cutter, Exum, Gonzales J., Jodeh, Kipp, Michaelson Jenet, Wallace, Weissman, Winter F..
Concerning use of the "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act" cash fund to support the state's defense against adverse federal action, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-75-232, amend (8); and add (4)(d) and (5)(e) as follows:
24-75-232. "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act" cash fund - creation - allowable uses - report - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal. (4) (d) The office may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations from private or public sources for the purposes of subsection (5)(e) of this section. The office shall transmit all money received through gifts, grants, or donations to the state treasurer, who shall credit the money to the fund for use for the purposes of subsection (5)(e) of this section.
(5) (e) In addition to the uses set forth in subsections (5)(a) and (5)(b) of this section, and notwithstanding subsection (1)(e) of this section, the office may expend the money in the fund at the governor's discretion for the following purposes:
(I) Hiring and employing personnel or retaining contractors for purposes related to federal government actions that impact federal disbursements, grants, contracts, or money received by or transferred to the state;
(II) Reimbursing the department of law for costs associated with special assistant attorneys general, pursuant to sections 24-31-101 and 24-31-111 (5), contracted with for the purposes of:
(A) Providing legal services to state officers or employees related to legal proceedings, inquiries, hearings, or investigations initiated, pursued, or threatened by the federal government, including congressional inquiries and investigations; or
(B) Providing legal services for the criminal defense of state officers or employees in legal actions arising out of official acts or decisions; or
(III) Other expenditures consistent with the purposes of this section, as determined by the governor, including expenditures to preserve and protect state sovereignty or federal funding streams that benefit the state.
(8) This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2028. Any unexpended and unencumbered money remaining in the fund upon the repeal of this section reverts to the general fund.
SECTION 2. Appropriation. For the 2025-26 state fiscal year, $4,000,000 is appropriated to the office of the governor. This appropriation is from the "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act" cash fund created in section 24-75-232 (3), C.R.S. To implement this act, the office may use this appropriation for administration of governor's office and residence. Any money appropriated in this section not expended prior to July 1, 2026, is further appropriated to the office for the 2026-27 state fiscal year for the same purpose.
SECTION 3. Safety clause. The general assembly finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state institutions.
Signed By: Julie McCluskie, Speaker of the House of Representatives
Signed By: James Rashad Coleman, Sr., President of the Senate
Signed By: Vanessa Reilly, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives
Signed By: Esther van Mourik, Secretary of the Senate
Signed By: Jared S. Polis, Governor of the State of Colorado