CO SB052

Establishes a hiring preference for coal transition workers at covered businesses (railroads, utilities, energy generation facilities, advanced manufacturing) located in coal transition communities, effective January 1, 2027

Covered businesses must make good faith efforts to hire qualified coal transition workers who meet minimum job qualifications before hiring other applicants; state and local governments are exempt from this requirement

Requires covered businesses to consult with the Just Transition Office that retiring coal facilities and worker organizations to identify eligible workers, and report annually on hiring outcomes and recruitment efforts

Authorizes public entities to invest settlement or payment funds received to offset coal mine or power plant closure impacts in any investment permitted by the entity's adopted investment policy, expanding beyond current restrictions on public fund investments

Directs the Executive Director of the Department of Labor and Employment to develop policies and procedures for implementing the hiring preference program