Senate Approves Marchman, Danielson Bill to Create Access to HVAC Systems for Schools

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senators Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, that would help schools access infrastructure grants to improve their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems cleared the Senate yesterday.

HB24-1307 would require Colorado schools to follow technical specifications for the installation, inspection, maintenance, review and reporting of HVAC systems whenever improvements are made using federal money, which would allow schools to apply for state and federal grants to upgrade their HVAC systems.

“It’s hard to learn and teach in classrooms that are hot and have poor air quality. Across America, school districts are securing federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds to directly improve health and safety in public schools,” Marchman said. “But Colorado statute does not currently allow bipartisan IIJA funds to be distributed to school districts. Colorado has missed out on billions of federal dollars because without this bill, schools are ineligible for federal grant funding in Colorado. This bill will help Colorado school districts access critical federal funding that will allow them to install or update their heating and air conditioning systems.”

“Every year schools across our state cancel classes due to ‘heat days’ because far too many schools still lack access to basic air conditioning,” Danielson said. “Those are extremely valuable lost hours of learning that make a real impact on our students. This bill would help make schools more competitive for critical federal dollars that will help make our learning environments safer and more comfortable so students can focus on what matters most: learning.”

The bill would also require schools to only employ certified contractors to perform HVAC improvements.

HB24-1307 will now move to the House for consideration of Senate amendments. Track the bill’s progress HERE.