C2A8ADD8A06A64BF8725838500535D43 Hearing Summary

Representative Rich and Senator Scott, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 19-1062, concerning the Grand Junction Regional Center campus. The bill was before the committee under House Rule 50. Committee members received a copy of the legislation (Attachment B); a memorandum providing background on the Grand Junction Regional Center, prepared by Legislative Council Staff (Attachment C); a fact sheet in support of the bill (Attachment D); and an amendment that will be offered in the House Finance Committee (Attachment E). Representative Rich provided background on the Grand Junction Regional Center, and explained the effect of the bill and the amendment. Senator Scott provided input on the issues raised by the legislation. Representative Rich responded to questions regarding the current use of the center.  Discussion ensued regarding potential costs associated with the center being transferred from the Department of Human Services to another state agency, and the original legislation that mandated the sale of the property.

Discussion returned to potential costs associated with the state retaining the Grand Junction Regional Center, or transferring it to a local government entity. Discussion followed regarding the potential for subdividing the property. Ms. Gayle Berry, Mesa County Lobbyist, and Commissioner Rose Pugliese, Mesa County Board of County Commissioners, came to the table to inform the committee about potential uses for the property from the local government perspective. Commissioner Pugliese and Senator Scott responded to questions regarding potential private developer interest in the regional center property. Ms. Berry noted the position of the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce on the property.

Discussion ensued regarding the ramifications of a potential Native American burial site being situated on the property. Ms. Kori Donaldson, Legislative Council Staff, provided input on this issue. Commissioner Pugliese responded to questions regarding how a local government might address some of the derelict buildings on the regional center property if it acquired the property, and potential issues that might arise if the property stood vacant for an extended period of time. Discussion followed regarding the properties adjacent to the Grand Junction Regional Center, and remediation that may need to take place on the property to sell it. Representative Rich discussed reporting requirements associated with the property. Discussion returned to 2016 legislation associated with the disposal of the regional center.

Ms. Berry responded to questions regarding the decline of the client population on the Grand Junction Regional Center campus. Representative Roberts provided his position on HB 19-1062.