SB 22-011 Summary

• Creates the America 250 - Colorado 150 Commission within History Colorado to develop programs and plan statewide observance of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the 150th anniversary of Colorado statehood between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026.

• Establishes an 11-member commission including the History Colorado executive director, representatives from Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute tribes, Colorado tourism and education directors, and six governor-appointed members representing philanthropy, business, historical societies, Black communities, Latino communities, and Asian American communities.

• Assigns the commission duties including developing statewide recognition plans, creating historical documents, coordinating with preservation agencies, providing educational opportunities, promoting scholarship on American West history, and ensuring activities represent geographic and demographic diversity and accessibility for people with disabilities.

• Authorizes creation of an eight-member regional advisory panel and additional subcommittees to support the commission's work, with all members serving without compensation but eligible for expense reimbursement.

• Appropriates $148,889 from the general fund for the 2022-23 fiscal year to support commission operations, and automatically repeals the commission effective June 30, 2027.