h_sa_2016a_2016-03-28t13:34:28z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 03/28/2016

01:34 PM -- HB16-1397



Representative Ryden, sponsor, presented House Bill 16-1397 to the committee. This bill repeals and reenacts, with amendments, the authority of the Department of Human Services (CDHS) to build a veterans community living center and assorted facilities on the site of the former Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, subject to available appropriations. Under the bill, CDHS will lead the planning, design, completion, and operation of the new facilities near the existing Fitzsimons veterans community living center. This bill outlines the requirements for the construction and use of the facilities and requests that the CDHS work collaboratively with the Department of Local Affairs, the Board of Commissioners of Veterans Community Living Centers, the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority, the City of Aurora, the State Board of Veteran Affairs, and a statewide coalition of veterans organizations, in completing the project. CDHS is authorized to seek and accept private sector, state, local or federal funding for the construction of the facility. The CDHS must provide progress updates in its annual report and submit progress reports to the State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committees of the General Assembly.



Committee members discussed the bill with Representative Ryden.



01:44 PM -- Ralph Bozella, representing the United Veterans Committee of Colorado (UVC), testified in support of the bill and responded to committee questions.



01:52 PM -- Frank McCurdy, representing the UVC, testified in support of the bill and responded to committee questions.



02:00 PM -- Alicia Caldwell, representing CDHS, testified in support of the bill.



02:03 PM -- Clint Woodruff, representing CDHS, testified in support of the bill and provided handouts to the committee (Attachments A and B).



16HouseState0328AttachA.pdf 16HouseState0328AttachB.pdf



02:07 PM -- Alison George, representing the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Division of Housing, testified in support of the bill.





02:12 PM



Ms. Caldwell, Mr. Woodruff, and Ms. George responded to committee questions. Sarah Orrick, representing CDHS, also came to the table to answer questions.



02:21 PM -- Arapahoe County Commissioner Nancy Jackson, representing herself, testified in support of the bill and responded to committee questions.



02:28 PM -- Aurora City Councilwoman Angela Lawson, representing the city of Aurora, testified in support of the bill.



02:31 PM -- Leanne Wheeler, representing Close to Home, testified on the bill.



02:34 PM -- Elizabeth Neufeld and Melinda Townsend, representing the Aurora Housing Authority, responded to committee questions.



02:37 PM -- Tony Giardini, representing CDHS, responded to committee questions.





02:40 PM



Representative Ryden discussed amendment L.001 (Attachment C).



16HouseState0328AttachC.pdf

02:42 PM



Representative Ryden wrapped up her presentation of the bill.