CO SB230

Establishes the Colorado Refugee Services Program in the State Department to provide assistance to refugees resettled in Colorado under federal law.

Program must provide refugee cash assistance, medical assistance, social services (including employment services, English language instruction, vocational training, and case management), and other services consistent with federal law.

Designates the State Department as the single state agency responsible for developing, reviewing, and administering the state refugee services plan, which must be approved by the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Affirms Colorado's commitment to welcoming refugees and supporting their integration into Colorado communities, noting that more than 60,000 refugees have settled in the state since 1980.

Effective date is August 2, 2019, unless subject to referendum petition, in which case it requires voter approval in November 2020 to take effect.