Gov. Hickenlooper signs Sen. Nicholson’s avalanche bill into law

Thursday, January 31 2013

DENVER -- One bill down, an unknown number to go!  Senator Jeanne Nicholson (D-Gilpin County) and Representative Mitsch Bush sponsored HB 1057, Avalanche Information Centers, which Governor Hickenlooper signed it into law today.  It is the first bill to become a law this session. 

HB 1057 clarifies the transfer of the Colorado Geologic Survey to the School of Mines.  HB 1057 specifies that the transfer will exclude the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, which used to be housed with the Colorado Geologic Survey.  It allows the Department of Natural Resources to continue to run the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, allowing the center to continue with its regular operations.

“The Colorado Avalanche Information Center provides essential data to help forecast avalanches and keep Coloradans safe when enjoying the outdoors.  I’m pleased that we were able to get this legislation passed so quickly and efficiently, and I’m proud to be the Senate sponsor of the first bill to become law this session,” said Sen. Nicholson. 

Avalanche danger in Colorado is a serious safety threat for Coloradans.  On average, avalanches kill six people in Colorado a year, and account for one-third of avalanche deaths in the U.S..  The Colorado Avalanche Information Center receives reports of about 2,300 avalanches a year, and estimates that about 20,000 go unreported. 

The center provides forecasting data to the Colorado Department of Transportation, and has helped reduce the harm avalanches cause to recreation, tourism, commerce, industry, and the citizens of Colorado.

ABOUT SEN. NICHOLSON

Sen. Nicolson serves Senate District 16, which spans Gilpin County, a small section of Southwest Denver, and parts of Boulder and Jefferson Counties from Conifer to Superior.  Sen. Nicholson is the Democratic Caucus Chair for the Senate Majority.  She is also the chair of the Local Government Committee and a member of the Health and Human Services Committee.