Colorado Department Of Public Health And Environment Organics Diversion Study

The bill requires the department of public health and environment (department) to study the impacts, benefits, and feasibility of requiring diversion of organic materials from landfills. The organics diversion study (study) must:

• Incorporate and utilize data contained in the statewide organics management plan and other existing Colorado studies and research from other states;
• Explore how to leverage existing organics diversion pilot projects in Colorado to inform implementation of broader organics diversion projects across the state;
• Evaluate the environmental benefits of diversion of organic materials from landfills;
• Review and identify the infrastructure needed to enable diversion of organic materials from landfills and create a plan for infrastructure development;
• Create actionable parameters for local governments to use to determine if, where, and what types of organics processing infrastructure is needed and basic toolkits to help local governments build the infrastructure;
• Create a timeline to effectively and equitably phase in required diversion of organic materials from landfills by region using the 4 regions of the state as identified in the state organics management plan;
• Outline and recommend policies and regulations that would enable diversion of organic materials from landfills;
• Assess informational resources necessary to enable diversion of organic materials from landfills; and
• Identify opportunities for end-market development of organic materials diverted from landfills.

On or before August 1, 2024, the department is required to submit a report of the study's research and findings to specified committees of reference in the senate and the house of representatives.

The bill authorizes the use of money in the front range waste diversion cash fund and the recycling resources economic opportunity fund to pay for costs associated with conducting the study.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)