NOTE: The governor signed this measure on 6/1/2016.
      
      
      HOUSE BILL 16-1397
      
      
      BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Ryden and Windholz, Duran, Hullinghorst,
      Kagan, Melton, Pettersen, Salazar, Tyler, Williams, Arndt, Becker J.,
      Carver, Court, Esgar, Garnett, Hamner, Humphrey, Klingenschmitt,
      Lawrence, Lebsock, Lontine, Mitsch Bush, Moreno, Pabon, Primavera,
      Priola, Rosenthal, Roupe, Singer, Vigil, Winter, Young;
      also SENATOR(S) Hodge and Crowder, Aguilar, Carroll, Donovan,
      Garcia, Guzman, Heath, Jahn, Johnston, Jones, Kefalas, Kerr, Lambert,
      Martinez Humenik, Merrifield, Newell, Todd.
      
      
      Concerning the completion of the Fitzsimons state veterans
           community living center to provide a continuum of
           residential care options.
       
      
      Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
      
           SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, repeal and reenact,
      with amendments, 26-12-201.5 as follows:
      
           26-12-201.5.  Veterans state community living center at former
      Fitzsimons - legislative intent - continuum of residential care services
      and care for veterans and veterans' families - definitions. (1)  Subject
      to available appropriations, this section authorizes and
      establishes a state veterans community living center on the site
      of the former Fitzsimons Army medical center. It is the intent of
      the general assembly that the property on the site of the former
      Fitzsimons Army medical center is for the exclusive use of
      veterans and qualifying family members of veterans. It is the
      further intent of the general assembly that any construction on
      the property on the site of the former Fitzsimons Army medical
      center after January 1, 2016, must be completed consistent with
      the original intent in the language of the 1999 memorandum of
      agreement between the Fitzsimons redevelopment authority, the
      city of Aurora, and the state department.
      
           (2)  The completion of the Fitzsimons project pursuant to
      this section, after January 1, 2016, is not subject to the average
      occupancy requirements of section 26-12-111 (4) for new
      construction.
      
           (3)  The state department shall work to expeditiously
      develop the vacant parcels of land to the north and south of the
      Fitzsimons veterans community living center existing as of
      January 1, 2016. The vacant parcels of land must be used to
      construct and operate facilities that will provide a continuum of
      residential care options exclusively for veterans or qualifying
      family members of veterans. The continuum of residential care
      options may include, but need not be limited to, domiciliary and
      assisted living, transitional housing, permanent supportive
      housing, and any such other residential and supportive services
      as are needed or beneficial.
      
           (4)  The state department shall seek input, as appropriate,
      from the board of commissioners of veterans community living
      centers created pursuant to section 26-12-402, the state board of
      veterans affairs, and a statewide coalition of veterans
      organizations.
      
           (5)  The state department shall ensure, through
      contractual or other means, that the property continues in
      perpetuity to be operated exclusively for veterans and
      qualifying family members of veterans.
      
           (6)  The state department shall include progress updates on
      the Fitzsimons project in its annual report and shall provide
      quarterly progress updates to the members of the state,
      veterans, and military affairs committees of the house of
      representatives and the senate, or any successor committees, on
      or before September 30, 2016; December 31, 2016; March 31, 2017;
      and June 30, 2017.
      
           (7)  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise
      requires:
      
           (a)  "Qualifying family member of a veteran" means a family
      member of a veteran who qualifies for services pursuant to the
      requirements established by the federal veterans administration.
      
           (b)  "Veteran" means a person who served in the active
      military, naval, or air service of the United States and who was
      discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than
      dishonorable, in accordance with U.S.C. title 38, as amended.
      
           SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26-12-402, amend (2)
      (a) as follows:
      
           26-12-402.  Board of commissioners of veterans community
      living centers - creation - powers and duties. (2)  The functions of the
      board of commissioners are to:
      
           (a)  Advise the office, and the veterans centers, and veterans
      community living centers located in Homelake, Florence, Rifle, Aurora,
      and Walsenburg, Colorado, including the completion of the
      Fitzsimons veterans community living center in Aurora;
      
           SECTION 3.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26-12-201, amend (2)
      (b) as follows:
      
           26-12-201.  Veterans community living centers authorized.
      (2) (b)  Veterans centers must be located at or near the city of Florence, at
      or near the city of Walsenburg, at or near the city of Rifle, at or near the
      city of Aurora, and in Homelake.
      
           SECTION 4.  Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,
      determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
      preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.
      
      
      
      
      ________________________________________________________
      Dickey Lee Hullinghorst                Bill L. Cadman
      SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE                     PRESIDENT OF
      OF REPRESENTATIVES                         THE SENATE
      
      
      
      
      
      
      ____________________________  ____________________________
      Marilyn Eddins                            Effie Ameen
      CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE                 SECRETARY OF
      OF REPRESENTATIVES                         THE SENATE
      
      
      
      
                  APPROVED________________________________________
      
      
      
      
      
                                    _________________________________________
                                    John W. Hickenlooper
                                    GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO