Bill > SB039

This bill amends Colorado's energy benchmarking law to create a specific exemption for agricultural buildings from energy use reporting requirements. The bill defines an "agricultural building" as a structure used to house agricultural implements, hay, unprocessed grain, poultry, livestock, or other agricultural products primarily for maintaining or operating an agricultural process. Agricultural implements include agricultural equipment, but exclude items primarily intended for rent or sale. Under the new provisions, owners of agricultural buildings can submit an affirmative exemption from benchmarking data reporting. This exemption remains valid until there is a change in building ownership or the building's status as an agricultural building. Additionally, owners of exempted agricultural buildings must be prepared to certify their building's exemption status if requested. The bill modifies existing definitions of "covered building" to explicitly exclude agricultural buildings and provides a clear pathway for farmers and agricultural businesses to avoid energy reporting requirements that may be burdensome to their operations. The bill will take effect after the standard legislative review period, with a potential referendum provision that could require voter approval in November 2026 if challenged.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-039