Press Room

Senator Hodge introduces bill to help Colorado win the space race

Wednesday, January 11 2012

Legislation works to grow jobs in the state’s strong aerospace industry

DENVER—Today, Senator Mary Hodge (D-Brighton) introduced the “Colorado Aerospace Jobs Act” during the opening day of the Colorado General Assembly’s 2012 legislative session. This bill is one component of the Senate Majority’s “Colorado Works” jobs package, a series of bills that will be introduced throughout the session that are focused on job creation and economic growth in Colorado.

Senator Hodge offered the following comment on the Colorado Aerospace Jobs Act:

“The Colorado Aerospace Act will be the first step in attracting new industry to Colorado. Our state has some of the most highly educated workers in the country and the second largest aerospace workforce, so it is imperative that we work to bring these jobs to our state.”

The Colorado Aerospace Jobs Act establishes limited liability provisions that shield commercial space flight companies from lawsuits not based on negligence or intentional wrongdoing.  The bill makes Colorado a more attractive state for the growth of the aerospace industry by creating an open and transparent regulatory climate.  

Eight of the nation’s top ten aerospace industries are in Colorado, and Colorado universities provide some of the best aerospace and engineering research in the nation. The goal of the Colorado Aerospace Jobs Act introduced today is to grow these industries in the state and, with that growth, to create jobs of the future for Colorado workers.