House Bill 16-1141 Summary

• Establishes a radon education and awareness program requiring the Department of Public Health and Environment to provide statewide radon information to citizens and businesses and collaborate with local governments on mitigation strategies.

• Creates a radon mitigation assistance program effective January 1, 2017, to provide financial assistance to low-income individuals for radon mitigation in their homes, with eligibility requirements set by the State Board of Health.

• Funds both programs through the Hazardous Substance Response Fund using money from solid waste user fees collected under existing statute.

• Declares that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers and second overall in Colorado, with an estimated 500 annual deaths, and notes that all Colorado counties are at high risk with 50% of homes requiring mitigation.

• Appropriates $199,456 to the Department of Public Health and Environment for the 2016-17 fiscal year for radiation management staff and operating expenses.