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Committee endorses bill to seed Colorado nuclear workforce programs and sends it to appropriations
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Summary
Senate Bill 120 establishes a grant and council structure to fund and coordinate nuclear workforce and education programs using gifts, grants and donations. The committee adopted a sponsor strike‑below amendment and voted to send the bill to Appropriations with a favorable recommendation.
Senate Bill 120 would create the Colorado Nuclear Workforce Development and Education Council and a grant program to support development of degree and certificate programs, modular training, and courses related to nuclear energy and advanced reactors. Sponsors described the bill as a preparatory step to build Colorado's workforce capacity should advanced nuclear or fusion development occur in the state.
Senator Liston and Senator Marchman said the council and a competitive grant process would leverage gifts, grants and donations rather than general fund dollars; the bill requires $500,000 in external funding before the council may begin grant awards. The strike‑below amendment adopted in committee clarifies council staffing and allows up to 10% of third‑party contract funds for administration.
Supporters included Colorado School of Mines, Colorado Springs Utilities, Club 20, Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, Colorado State University and engineering and business groups. Witnesses said Colorado already has nuclear education assets and private and public entities willing to support program development; they also framed the work as a just‑transition and workforce development tool for energy communities.
After adopting the strike‑below amendment, the committee voted to send SB120 to the Committee on Appropriations with a favorable recommendation.
