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44BBAB8C5F144FBD8725866C005DC014 Hearing Summary

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For PRESENTATION DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL AFFAIRS

JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON JOINT SENATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSE TRANSPORTATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Date Jan 29, 2021
Location Old State Library

Presentation Department of Local Affairs - Committee Discussion Only


	10:04:02 AM	Director Rick Garcia, representing the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), made introductory remarks and introduced DOLA staff. The department's mission is to strengthen Colorado communities through accessible, affordable, clean housing; implement property tax law; and provide technical assistance, research, training, and funding to local communities. The department's wildly important goals were discussed, including implementing eight renwable energy grant projects; expanding the Next Step program to 12 school districts to provide stable and safe housing to homeless families; and implementing three climate action plans in rural areas. Director Garcia summarized the department's budget request. There are eight decision items to reduce or resturcture funding in the First Appearance Grant, Gray and Black Market Marijuana Enforcement, House Bill 17-1326 Crime Prevention Grants, affordable housing funds, Law Enforcement Community Services Grant, Geothermal Energy Impact Grant, Firefighter Cardiac Malfunction Benefits, and personal services. The request also includes funding for COVID-19 Relief Small and Minority Business Assistance, Housing and Direct COVID Emergency Assistance, and RENEW Initiative Grants.
	10:12:32 AM	Bruce Eisenhaur discussed DOLA's legislative and regulatory agendas. The legislative agenda includes lawful presence, tenancy, issues related to the Division of Housing, factory built structure regulations, and updates to the Board of Assessment Appeals' rules to accomodate electronic access. The regulatory agenda includes the search and rescue program, mobile home park resolution complaint program fees, and code updates for factory built structures.
	10:16:17 AM	Director Garcia provided an update on DOLA's efforts to improve equity, diversity, and inclusion for current and future department employees. The department formed a committee over the summer and developed a statement of core values, vision, mission, and strategic goals. The strategic goals include communicating department values; recruitment, hiring, professional development, and retention; training; and public outreach and program development. Working groups have been established and are developing action items for these goals. Director Garcia provided a teleworking update, indicating that 93 percent of employees are working remotely. All essential functions are being handled and supervisors are receiving support to manage employees in a remote work setting. The department is also working on a space study, anticipating that many employees will continue to work from home.
	10:19:08 AM	Alison George, representing the Division of Housing within DOLA, provided an update about the Mobile Home Park Act Dispute Resolution and Enforcement program. The division continues to fine tune the program with bills from the 2020 legislative session including one to permit mobile home owners to purchase the mobile home park where they live in certain circumstances. The division is aware of three parks where a landlord accepted an offer to sell the park. About 40 percent of parks have not complied with the requirement to provide notice to tenants about the opportunity to purchase parks. The division continues to respond to calls and emails, and has received inquireies on the program website. There are about 200 parks not registered in the program.
	10:34:36 AM	The department will provide numbers about resident attempts to purchase parks. There was also an interest in this type of information for parks geared toward residents age 55 and older, as well as parks for sale. The number of parks for sale should be on the program website next week. The department is aware of one attempt to purchase a park where residents were not successful. Ms. George talked about how complaints are investigated. The complainant is contacted and provided with information. Mediation may be provided. The flow chart on the program website outlines the process. The department will provide the chart to the committee.
	10:41:42 AM	Ms. Unfug provided an update on the Gray and Black Market Marijuana Enforcement Program, used for expenses to investigate and prosecute unlicensed marijuana cultivation and distribution. Grants totaling $5.8 million were made to 34 local governments, including law enforcement and district attorneys.
	10:45:02 AM	The department will create information for the committee and Mr. Eisenhaur will coordinate a future presentation on the Renewable Energy Grant program.
	10:51:53 AM	Ms. George identified funding for each program. Demand is great and applications for emergency housing have grown, due in part to the online portal. Federal legislation provided $385 million for rental assistance. There are some differences in qualifying for federal versus state funds.
	11:12:45 AM	Ms. Unfug addressed Senate Bill 20B-001, that provided $35.1 million for small businesses. The department is collaborating with the Office of Economic Development and International Trade and the Department of Public Health and Environment to disburse these funds. Restaurants, bars, and caterers are some of the businesses targeted in the program and funds are provided to local governments for distribution.