HB19-1096: Colorado Right to Rest Act

• Creates the "Colorado Right to Rest Act" establishing rights for people experiencing homelessness, including resting in public spaces, sheltering from elements, eating food in public spaces where permitted, occupying legally parked vehicles, and privacy of personal property.

• Prohibits discrimination based on housing status in laws, policies, or practices regulating public spaces.

• Allows counties, cities, municipalities, or subdivisions to exempt themselves from the right to rest provision if local public housing authority waiting lists contain fewer than 50 people for 3 consecutive months.

• Authorizes the general assembly to appropriate up to $10 million over three years from the marijuana tax cash fund to the Department of Local Affairs to help governmental entities reduce housing waiting lists to fewer than 50 people for at least 6 months per year.

• Permits persons whose rights are violated to seek civil enforcement with potential awards of injunctive relief, restitution, compensatory damages up to $1,000 per violation, and reasonable attorney fees.