§ 30-20-100.5 — Legislative declaration

Colorado § 30-20-100.5

• Jurisdiction: Colorado
• Title 30: Government
• Art.: Public Improvements

Text

(1) The general assembly hereby finds
and declares that:

(a) Proper disposal of solid wastes is a matter of mixed statewide and local
concern;

(b) Improper disposal of solid wastes poses significant public health risks,
environmental hazards, and long-term liability for the citizens of the state;

(b.5) State and local governments have a joint responsibility to work in
partnership to address environmental and public health risks that may result from
local-government-owned landfills, and public officials must ensure the safe and
cost-effective management and disposal of solid waste for their communities;

(c) (I) Colorado citizens are increasingly voicing their concerns about solid
waste issues. Such concerns include the following:

(A) How citizens can make maximum use of waste reduction and recycling
programs as part of such citizens' personal environmental commitment;

(B) Concerns of citizens relating to the siting of a solid wastes site and
facility near their homes; and

(C) Challenges to public officials to react responsibly to assure safe and
cost-effective solid waste management and disposal for their community over the
next five to ten years.

(II) Reflecting such concerns, private citizens and companies have joined
with local and state officials to address the needs of Colorado concerning solid
waste.

(d) Optimal solid waste management in Colorado should include the
following elements:

(I) The state government, local governments, and private companies and
citizens of Colorado each must play important roles in the management of solid
waste in Colorado.

(II) A statewide system of integrated solid waste management planning is
necessary to meet Colorado's solid waste disposal needs over the next twenty
years. Local governments and their citizens should be encouraged to work toward
consensus concerning their solid waste disposal needs and concerning the types
and numbers of solid wastes sites and facilities necessary or desirable in their
areas.

(III) State and local efforts in this area must be focused toward the reduction
of the volume and toxicity of the waste stream. Realistic waste reduction goals
should be established and state and local solid waste management goals should
strive to achieve such goals through source reduction, recycling, composting, and
similar waste management strategies.

(IV) Renewed efforts and new mechanisms are needed to ensure the full
participation of the public in all phases of solid waste decision-making. All
participants and concerned parties must contribute to a continuing, dedicated
effort to inform and educate the public concerning solid waste and its impact on
public health and the environment.

(V) A strong component of statewide waste management efforts shall be the
minimization of illegal disposal of solid wastes through the provision of the
appropriate kinds and numbers of solid waste sites and facilities as needed to
handle, treat, and dispose of solid waste in all areas of the state.

Legislative History

Source: L. 91: Entire section added, p. 963, � 1, effective June 5. L. 2023: (1)(b.5) added, (HB 23-1194), ch. 225, p. 1160, � 1, effective August 7.