My Colorado Card Pilot Program

Second Regular Session Seventy-fifth General Assembly STATE OF COLORADO INTRODUCED HOUSE BILL 26-1055 LLS NO. 26-0618.01 Sarah Lozano x3858 HOUSE SPONSORSHIP Lindsay, SENATE SPONSORSHIP (None), House Committees Senate Committees Education A BILL FOR AN ACT CONCERNING THE CREATION OF THE MY COLORADO CARD PILOT PROGRAM, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, PROVIDING YOUTH IN GRADES SIX THROUGH TWELVE WITH ACCESS TO CULTURAL, ARTS, RECREATIONAL, OR EXTRACURRICULAR FACILITIES THROUGHOUT COLORADO.

Bill Summary (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.) The bill creates the my Colorado card pilot program (pilot program) in the department of public health and environment Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.

Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law. Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law.

(department) to provide individuals in grades 6 through 12 (youth) access to cultural, arts, recreational, or extracurricular activities throughout the state (activities). The department must develop a physical or digital my Colorado card for the youth participating in the pilot program to access the activities covered by the pilot program. No later than December 30, 2026, the department, after obtaining feedback and recommendations from community-led organizations no later than December 1, 2026, must select a limited number of pilot communities to participate in the pilot program (selected pilot communities). A selected pilot community must appoint a coordination team to support youth participation in the pilot program. The department must also coordinate with the selected pilot communities and community-led organizations to: ! Identify youth in the selected pilot communities to participate in the pilot program; ! Facilitate access to activities for youth participating in the pilot program; and ! Collect nonidentifying participation data for evaluation and reporting purposes. The department shall evaluate the pilot program on an annual basis to assess certain components of the pilot program. On or before December 1, 2027, and on or before each December 1 thereafter, the department shall submit a report to certain committees of the general assembly summarizing the results of the department's evaluation, observed outcomes and challenges of the pilot program, and recommendations regarding the continuation or modification of the pilot program. The pilot program repeals on September 1, 2031, subject to the sunset review process.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado: SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds and declares that: (a) Youth across Colorado face very different levels of opportunities within the communities where they live and learn;

(b) Many youth live and learn in areas that would be considered opportunity deserts, which are places where there is limited or no equitable access to cultural, arts, recreational, or extracurricular facilities;

(c) This lack of opportunity contributes to mental health challenges, social isolation, neighborhood detachment, academic struggles, and strain on the overall well-being of youth;

(d) Colorado is full of opportunities that should be available to all youth, no matter their zip code, affirming that all of Colorado belongs to our youth; and

(e) Given the ongoing mental health crisis among youth, it is imperative that Colorado is committed to leveraging all partnerships and places to ensure protective factors and to eliminate the risk factors that keep youth from realizing their full potential.

(2) Therefore, the general assembly declares that Colorado should create a pilot program that allows youth to have equitable access to cultural, arts, recreational, and extracurricular facilities, within and beyond the zip codes that they live and learn in.

SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 25-1-139 as follows:

25-1-139. My Colorado card pilot program - creation of pilot program - selection of pilot communities - participating facilities - report - definitions - sunset review - repeal.

(1) Definitions. AS USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES:

(a) "COMMUNITY-LED ORGANIZATION" MEANS AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS RUN BY INDIVIDUALS FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT THE ORGANIZATION HELPS OR THAT IS AUTHORIZED BY INDIVIDUALS OF THE COMMUNITY TO HELP THE COMMUNITY.

(b) "COORDINATION TEAM" MEANS A GROUP OF NO LESS THAN SEVEN PERSONS COMPRISED OF:

(I) EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS;

(II) COMMUNITY-LED ORGANIZATIONS;

(III) ELECTED OFFICIALS;

(IV) BUSINESSES AND SERVICE PROVIDERS;

(V) PARENTS AND GUARDIANS; AND

(VI) STUDENTS.

(c) "CULTURAL, ARTS, RECREATIONAL, OR EXTRACURRICULAR FACILITY" OR "FACILITY" MEANS A MUSEUM, CULTURAL INSTITUTION, LIBRARY, ARTS ORGANIZATION, RECREATION CENTER, PARK, SPORTS FACILITY, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM SITE, OR OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED FACILITY THAT PROVIDES YOUTH ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

(d) "MY COLORADO CARD" MEANS A PHYSICAL OR DIGITAL CARD THAT ENABLES YOUTH PARTICIPATING IN THE PILOT PROGRAM TO ACCESS CULTURAL, ARTS, RECREATIONAL, OR EXTRACURRICULAR FACILITIES THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE PILOT PROGRAM.

(e) "OPPORTUNITY DESERT" MEANS A GEOGRAPHIC AREA IN THE STATE WHERE YOUTH LACK REASONABLE ACCESS TO CULTURAL, ARTS, RECREATIONAL, OR EXTRACURRICULAR FACILITIES DUE TO ECONOMIC, GEOGRAPHIC, TRANSPORTATION, OR SYSTEMIC BARRIERS.

(f) "PILOT PROGRAM" MEANS THE MY COLORADO CARD PILOT PROGRAM CREATED IN SUBSECTION (2)(a) OF THIS SECTION.

(g) "RURAL RESERVATION COMMUNITY" MEANS A COMMUNITY THAT IS LOCATED ON OR PRIMARILY SERVING A FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBAL RESERVATION IN THE STATE.

(h) "SELECTED PILOT COMMUNITY" MEANS A PILOT COMMUNITY THAT IS SELECTED FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE PILOT PROGRAM BY THE DEPARTMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION (3)(a) OF THIS SECTION.

(i) "YOUTH" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL IN GRADES SIX THROUGH TWELVE.

Creation of pilot program - administration by the department.

(a) THE MY COLORADO CARD PILOT PROGRAM IS CREATED IN THE DEPARTMENT TO IMPROVE YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES BY PROVIDING YOUTH WITH ACCESS TO CULTURAL, ARTS, RECREATIONAL, OR EXTRACURRICULAR DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMINISTER THE PILOT PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION.

(b) FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THE IN THE DEPARTMENT'S ADMINISTRATION OF THE PILOT PROGRAM, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL, AT A MINIMUM:

(I) DEVELOP A MY COLORADO CARD FOR USE BY THE YOUTH PARTICIPATING IN THE PILOT PROGRAM;

(II) SELECT PILOT COMMUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PILOT PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION (3) OF THIS SECTION;

(III) COORDINATE WITH THE SELECTED PILOT COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITY-LED ORGANIZATIONS TO:

(A) IDENTIFY YOUTH IN THE SELECTED PILOT COMMUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PILOT PROGRAM;

(B) FACILITATE ACCESS TO CULTURAL, ARTS, RECREATIONAL, OR EXTRACURRICULAR FACILITIES IN AREAS THROUGHOUT THE STATE FOR YOUTH PARTICIPATING IN THE PILOT PROGRAM; AND

(C) COLLECT NONIDENTIFYING PARTICIPATION DATA FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE EVALUATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (4) OF THIS SECTION;

(IV) COORDINATE WITH COMMUNITY-LED ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SELECTED PILOT COMMUNITIES RELATED TO:

(A) (B) SHARED-USE AGREEMENTS FOR CULTURAL, ARTS,

(C) PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY-LED ORGANIZATIONS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND TRIBAL AUTHORITIES; AND TRAUMA-INFORMED RECREATIONAL, OR EXTRACURRICULAR FACILITIES;

AND PROGRAMMING PRACTICES;

MENTAL-HEALTH-INFORMED

(D) IDENTIFICATION OF TRANSPORTATION STRATEGIES USING EXISTING RESOURCES; AND

(V) COORDINATE WITH OTHER STATE AGENCIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN THE DEPARTMENT'S ADMINISTRATION OF THE PILOT PROGRAM, AS APPROPRIATE, TO UTILIZE EXISTING YOUTH-SERVING RESOURCES IN FURTHERANCE OF THE PILOT PROGRAM.

(c) (I) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENSURE THAT DATA COLLECTED THROUGH THE PILOT PROGRAM:

(A) IS LIMITED TO NONIDENTIFYING PARTICIPATION DATA;

(B) DOES NOT INCLUDE SENSITIVE PERSONAL, ACADEMIC, OR HEALTH INFORMATION; AND

(C) COMPLIES WITH ALL APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL PRIVACY LAWS.

(II) DATA COLLECTED THROUGH THE PILOT PROGRAM SHALL NOT BE USED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, OR DISCIPLINARY PURPOSES.

(3) Pilot communities - participating facilities.

(a) NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 30, 2026, THE DEPARTMENT, AFTER OBTAINING FEEDBACK AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM COMMUNITY-LED ORGANIZATIONS NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 1, 2026, SHALL SELECT A LIMITED NUMBER OF PILOT COMMUNITIES IN THE STATE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PILOT PROGRAM, WHICH COMMUNITIES MUST COLLECTIVELY REPRESENT:

(I) URBAN COMMUNITIES;

(II) RURAL COMMUNITIES; AND

(III) RURAL RESERVATION COMMUNITIES.

(b) IN SELECTING PILOT COMMUNITIES, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONSIDER:

(I) GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY ACROSS THE STATE;

(II) COMMUNITIES IDENTIFIED AS OPPORTUNITY DESERTS; AND (III) RECREATIONAL, TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS.

(c) (I) BARRIERS TO YOUTH ACCESS TO CULTURAL, ARTS, OR EXTRACURRICULAR FACILITIES , INCLUDING A SELECTED PILOT COMMUNITY SHALL APPOINT A COORDINATION TEAM TO SUPPORT YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN THE PILOT PROGRAM.

(II) THE SELECTION OF A COMMUNITY AS A PILOT COMMUNITY DOES NOT LIMIT YOUTH IN THAT SELECTED PILOT COMMUNITY FROM ACCESSING CULTURAL, ARTS, RECREATIONAL, OR EXTRACURRICULAR FACILITIES THROUGH THE PILOT PROGRAM IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE.

(III) A SELECTED PILOT COMMUNITY MAY:

(A) COORDINATE TRANSPORTATION SCHEDULES;

(B) SUPPORT SHARED-USE OR INTERGOVERNMENTAL TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENTS; OR

(C) PROMOTE WALKABLE OR LOCALLY ACCESSIBLE CULTURAL, ARTS, RECREATIONAL, OR EXTRACURRICULAR FACILITIES.

(d) THE DEPARTMENT AND A SELECTED PILOT COMMUNITY MAY ENCOURAGE FACILITIES PARTICIPATING IN THE PILOT PROGRAM TO:

(I) OFFER FREE OR REDUCED-PRICE ACCESS TO YOUTH PARTICIPATING IN THE PILOT PROGRAM DURING DESIGNATED TIMES;

(II) RESERVE CAPACITY FOR YOUTH PARTICIPATING IN THE PILOT PROGRAM WHEN FEASIBLE; AND

(III) ALIGN HOURS OF OPERATION WITH AFTER-SCHOOL HOURS OR NONSCHOOL HOURS.

(e) NOTHING IN THIS SECTION REQUIRES:

(I) A COMMUNITY OR CULTURAL, ARTS, RECREATIONAL, OR EXTRACURRICULAR FACILITY IN THE STATE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PILOT PROGRAM;

(II) A FACILITY PARTICIPATING IN THE PILOT PROGRAM TO:

(A) WAIVE FEES;

(B) PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION;

(C) ALTER CAPACITY LIMITS OR HOURS OF OPERATION; OR

(D) DISPLACE EXISTING PROGRAMMING; OR

(III) A SELECTED PILOT COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION OR CREATE A NEW SERVICE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PILOT PROGRAM.

(4) Evaluation and reporting.

(a) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL EVALUATE THE PILOT PROGRAM ON AN ANNUAL BASIS TO ASSESS:

(I) YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN THE PILOT PROGRAM;

(II) GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY OF FACILITIES PARTICIPATING IN THE PILOT PROGRAM;

(III) OBSERVED INDICATORS OF ENGAGEMENT AND WELL-BEING OF THE YOUTH PARTICIPATING IN THE PILOT PROGRAM; AND

(IV) BARRIERS TO ACCESS TO FACILITIES PARTICIPATING IN THE PILOT PROGRAM, INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS.

(b) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2027, AND ON OR BEFORE EACH DECEMBER 1 THEREAFTER, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE SENATE AND THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, OR ANY SUCCESSOR COMMITTEES, SUMMARIZING:

(I) THE RESULTS OF THE EVALUATION CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (4)(a) OF THIS SECTION AND STRATEGIES IMPLEMENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THE EVALUATION;

(II) PROGRAM; AND OBSERVED OUTCOMES AND CHALLENGES OF THE PILOT

(III) RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE CONTINUATION OR MODIFICATION OF THE PILOT PROGRAM.

(5) Gifts, grants, or donations. THE DEPARTMENT MAY SEEK, ACCEPT, AND EXPEND GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SOURCES FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION.

(6) Sunset review - repeal. THIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2031. BEFORE THE REPEAL, THIS SECTION IS SCHEDULED FOR REVIEW IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 24-34-104.

SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-34-104, add (32)(a)(XVI) as follows:

24-34-104. General assembly review of regulatory agencies and functions for repeal, continuation, or reestablishment - legislative declaration - repeal.

(32) (a) The following agencies, functions, or both, are scheduled for repeal on September 1, 2031:

(XVI) THE MY COLORADO CARD PILOT PROGRAM CREATED IN SECTION 25-1-139.

SECTION 4.

Safety clause. The general assembly finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state institutions.