summary
Introduced
03/17/2026
03/17/2026
In Committee
04/30/2026
04/30/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
05/13/2026
05/13/2026
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
The bill requires the Colorado energy office (office) to serve as the state's permitting coordinator for nuclear energy projects. The office is required to: ! Coordinate with developers of nuclear energy projects (developers), stakeholders, and state and local permitting agencies throughout the permitting process and assist developers in navigating local, state, and federal regulations; ! Build administrative and coordination capacity to prepare for federal funding opportunities; and ! On or before December 1, 2027, recommend to the public utilities commission (commission) factors for the commission to consider when approving the acquisition of a nuclear energy project or other clean firm resources and cost-recovery mechanisms for the development of nuclear energy projects. The bill requires an investor-owned electric utility with more than 500,000 customers to: ! On or before August 1, 2027, solicit requests for information from communities and local governments interested in hosting a nuclear energy project and from potential development partners; and ! Identify, in collaboration with other public utilities, local governments, and developers, potential sites for a nuclear energy project. The bill states that an investor-owned electric utility may submit to the commission, and the commission is required to approve, an application to expend and recover up to $20 million to finance studies regarding potential sites, facility designs, and other activities related to the development of nuclear energy projects in the state. The bill requires the commission to issue an approval or denial of a petition from an investor-owned electric utility regarding a cost-recovery mechanism for a nuclear energy project no later than 6 months after receiving the petition. The bill establishes a statewide goal of identifying at least one nuclear energy project site by 2035 and beginning construction of at least one nuclear energy project by 2040.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a framework for developing nuclear energy in Colorado, setting a goal to identify at least one nuclear energy project site by 2035 and begin construction by 2040. The Colorado Energy Office (office) will act as the state's primary coordinator for nuclear energy projects, assisting developers with navigating regulations and coordinating with various agencies. The office will also build capacity to pursue federal funding and, by December 1, 2027, will recommend to the Public Utilities Commission (commission) factors for approving the acquisition of nuclear energy projects or other clean energy sources and how to recover associated costs. Investor-owned electric utilities with over 500,000 customers must, by August 1, 2027, solicit interest from communities and developers for hosting projects and, along with other utilities and local governments, identify potential sites, considering factors like job opportunities, existing infrastructure, and environmental justice. These utilities can also apply to spend and recover up to $20 million for studies on potential sites and designs, with the commission required to approve or deny petitions for cost recovery mechanisms for nuclear projects within six months, considering how these mechanisms incentivize development while protecting customer bills.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
House Committee on Appropriations Lay Over Unamended - Amendment(s) Failed (on 05/14/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1337 |
| Fiscal Note First Revised Fiscal Note | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/115707/download |
| House Energy & Environment Amendment L.003 | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/19748/download |
| House Energy & Environment Amendment L.004 | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/19747/download |
| Fiscal Note Initial Fiscal Note | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/113862/download |
| BillText | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/113416/download |
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