America 250 - Colorado 150 Commission

The act expands the America 250 - Colorado 150 commission (commission) from 15 to 21 voting members by adding the following members to be appointed by the governor:

• 2 members representing Indigenous communities who are members of a federally recognized tribe with historic ties to Colorado that is not the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe or the Southern Ute Indian Tribe;
• One member who is an expert in disability history or is working for a disability rights organization;
• One member representing military and veterans affairs; and
• 2 at-large members.

The act also directs the commission and history Colorado to hold any gifts, grants, or donations in the America 250 - Colorado 150 cash fund (cash fund), transfers $250,000 from the general fund to the cash fund, and modifies the cash fund so that all money therein may be used to support the following duties of the commission:

• Giving grants to communities across the state to provide local opportunities related to commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and the 150th anniversary of Colorado statehood; and
• Developing and promoting plans for statewide recognition of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and the 150th anniversary of Colorado statehood between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026, including:
• Historical activities;
• The creation and publication of historical documents;
• Cooperation with agencies responsible for the preservation or restoration of historic sites, buildings, art, and artifacts;
• Educational opportunities for Colorado youth to understand their historic roots in the United States and Colorado;
• The promotion of scholarship and research that illuminates the history of the American west and Colorado within the larger story of the United States;
• The arrangement of appropriate public ceremonies; and
• Commemorative events, supported by a comprehensive marketing and tourism campaign.

EFFECTIVE June 6, 2024
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)