HB19-1037: Colorado Energy Impact Assistance Act

• Authorizes electric utilities to issue low-cost Colorado Energy Impact Assistance (CO-EIA) bonds through financing orders approved by the Public Utilities Commission to finance costs associated with retiring electric generating facilities while lowering customer rates.

• Creates the Colorado Energy Impact Assistance Authority as an independent public body governed by a 7-member board appointed by the governor to administer transition assistance for workers and communities impacted by power plant retirements.

• Requires utilities to transfer 15% of net present value savings from financing orders to the Authority for transition assistance, including job retraining, wage support, and compensation to local governments for lost tax revenue (up to 5 years).

• Mandates the Authority disburse at least 50% of transition assistance directly to displaced workers and establish local advisory committees with county commissioners, municipal officials, school districts, and labor unions to guide assistance distribution.

• Requires the Authority to submit annual financial reports to specified legislative committees and subjects the Authority to Colorado open meetings and open records laws.