HB17-1339: Colorado Energy Impact Assistance Act

• Authorizes investor-owned electric utilities to issue low-cost ratepayer-backed bonds (CO-EIA bonds) approved by the Public Utilities Commission to finance retirement costs of electric generating facilities.

• Creates the Colorado Energy Impact Assistance Authority as an independent public body governed by a 7-member board appointed by the governor to distribute 15% of bond proceeds for transition assistance to workers and communities impacted by power plant closures.

• Requires utilities to impose nonbypassable CO-EIA charges on all customers to repay bonds and related costs, with charges designed to achieve AA/Aa2 credit ratings and minimize overall financing costs.

• Defines transition assistance to include worker retraining and job placement, financial assistance for displaced workers, and up to 5 years of property tax revenue compensation for affected local governments.

• Establishes local advisory committees in affected communities to advise on transition assistance plans, and requires annual reporting to the General Assembly on the authority's financial and operating activities.