Senator Hudak introduces the HIRE Colorado Act as the legislative session begins today

Thursday, January 12 2012

“Putting Coloradans back to work first”

DENVER—Today, Senator Evie Hudak (D-Westminter) introduced Senate Bill 1, the “HIRE Colrorado Act” during the opening day of the Colorado General Assembly’s 2012 legislative session. The HIRE Colorado Act is designed to create jobs for Coloradans by giving preference to companies seeking state contracts when those companies agree to employ mostly Colorado workers. This bill is a key component in the Senate Majority’s “Colorado Works” Jobs package, a series of bills that will be introduced throughout the session that are focused on continued job creation and economic growth.

Senator Hudak offered the following comment on the HIRE Colorado Act today:

“It’s imperative that our first priority be to ensure that our taxpayers’ dollars are staying in Colorado, that our resources are benefiting our citizens, and that we are putting Coloradans back to work first.  I’m proud to be carrying this legislation on behalf of my constituents, and people all across the state.”

The HIRE Colorado Act will direct state agencies that issue contracts exceeding $1 million to give preferences to a contractor that responds to the invitation for bids or request for proposals based on the following criteria:

Service Contracts

1. In the case of a services contract, an agency shall allow the following preferences:

a) A three percent preference for each contractor that certifies that at least 90 percent of the employees who will perform the requirements of the contract are Colorado residents (or have domicile in Colorado); and

b) An additional two percent preference if the contactor certifies that it offers health care and retirement benefits to all of the employees who will perform the requirements of the contract. 

Construction Contracts

1. In the case of a construction contract for a public project, an agency shall allow the following preferences:

a) A three percent preference for each contractor that certifies that at least 90 percent of the employees who will perform the requirements of the contract are Colorado residents (or have domicile in Colorado); and

b) An additional one percent preference if the contactor certifies that it offers health care and retirement benefits to all of the employees who will perform the requirements of the contract; and

c) An additional one percent preference if the contactor certifies that employees who will perform the requirements of the contract have access to an apprentice training program that is approved by the United States Department of Labor.