Governor Polis Signs Catlin’s Bipartisan Coal Transition Community Investment Bill (SB26-052)
NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Office of Colorado
State Senator Marc Catlin
303-866-5292
marc.catlin.senate@coleg.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Denver, Colorado – Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed bipartisan legislation Monday supporting Colorado’s coal transition communities. Senate Bill 26-052 (SB26-052), Coal Transition Community Investment, allows public entities to deposit or invest funds intended to offset the economic impacts caused by coal mine and coal-fired power plant closures.
Prior to the passage of SB26-052, public entities were restricted from investing certain settlements or payment funds that were received to offset community and governmental impacts resulting from coal mine or power plant closures. The new law provides additional flexibility for coal transition communities to invest those funds in ways that support local economic stability and workforce recovery.
Communities across Colorado’s Western Slope including Colorado’s 5th Senate District, have experienced significant economic disruption from the closure of coal mines and coal-fired power generating stations.
The Colorado Office of Just Transition (OJT) estimates 1,900 workers across Colorado are expected to lose their jobs over the next several years as coal mines and coal-fired power plants wind down operations, with many of those being impacted concentrated in the Western Slope Communities.
This law helps ensure those communities have greater ability to put transition funds to work locally.
This legislation requires that certain businesses located in coal transition communities give preferred opportunity to coal transition workers when possible. SB26-052 does not impact the state budget.
The prime sponsors are Senators Marc Catlin (R-SD5) of Montrose County and Dylan Roberts (D-SD8) of Eagle County, Representatives Meghan Lukens (D-HD26) of Routt County, and Tisha Mauro (D- HD46) of Pueblo County.
“Western Slope communities have carried the economic weight of coal mines and power plant closures,” said Senator Marc Catlin. “This legislation gives those communities the flexibility to invest transition resources where they can create jobs, help people get back on their feet, and strengthen the local economies we call home.”
Colorado State Senator Marc Catlin represents the seven counties of Delta, Eagle, Garfield, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, and Pitkin. Senator Catlin is a member of the Agriculture & Natural Resources; Transportation & Energy; and Business, Labor, & Technology Committees. Senator Catlin also serves as a Member on the Colorado Tourism Board.
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Summary of SB26-052
Bill: SB26-052
Sponsor: Senator Marc Catlin
Purpose: Allows coal transition communities to invest funds addressing economic impacts from coal mine and power plant closures
Status: Signed into law by Governor Jared Polis
Date Signed: March 9, 2026