Signed! HVAC Bill to Support Schools and Skilled Workers
ENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation to improve public K-12 schools' indoor air quality by creating funding pathways for energy-efficient upgrades and partnering with highly skilled local contractors.
“There are many HVAC contractors throughout the state, and this bill ensures they’re considered when public schools update their heating and cooling systems,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton. “This law is good for workers and small businesses because it helps them secure HVAC maintenance contracts while creating safer air to breathe for Colorado students and educators.”
“I served on my local school board for seven years, and I know firsthand how challenging it is to fund essential school infrastructure – especially HVAC systems that provide heating, cooling, and clean air,” said Sen. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “Students deserve to learn in classrooms with healthy air quality and comfortable temperatures. This law gives school districts the ability to apply for funding for HVAC improvements, ensuring they can access the resources they need to create safe and productive learning environments.”
“This law helps schools access previously unavailable funds to update their HVAC systems to help create healthier learning environments for students and teachers," said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial. “Our students and educators deserve heating and cooling that works – and this law helps ensure that HVAC maintenance is conducted by highly skilled workers, saving schools money in the long run. If a school decides to use federal or state dollars to pay for their HVAC installation or upgrades, they’ll need to consider contractors from the state-certified list, which helps prioritize locally sourced labor.”
“Students and teachers need clean, healthy air and reliable heating and air conditioning to learn, focus, and teach to the best of their ability,” said Sen. Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge. “This new law is a step toward dignity in the classroom and safer, healthier schools for Colorado while supporting local HVAC workers and small businesses.”
HB25-1245 helps ensure Colorado’s public K-12 schools have adequate temperature control for students. This law outlines new requirements for the installation, inspection, and maintenance of heating, cooling and ventilation systems, also known as HVAC, in public schools. Specifically, if a school utilizes funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act cash fund, it is required to hire only from a certified list maintained by the state to perform the installation or maintenance of HVAC systems. By hiring skilled workers, the HVAC systems are likely to be more efficient and last longer, saving schools money in the long run.
To encourage transparency and accountability, a certified contractor must prepare a detailed HVAC verification report within 30 days of completing any work and the school must retain the report for five years and make it available to the public upon request.
This law only applies when schools or school districts utilize state or federal funding to install or maintain their HVAC systems. HB25-1245 prioritizes local HVAC contractors and supports small businesses.