Senate committee advances nuclear workforce bill, requiring private funding and $500,000 activation threshold

Senator Jerry Liston and Senator Mullica persuaded the Senate Education Committee to advance SB 45, a plan to seed a Colorado nuclear workforce pipeline funded exclusively by gifts, grants and donations and triggered only after a $500,000 non‑state funding threshold is reached. Supporters said the council would be anchored at Colorado School of Mines and focused on degrees, certificates and industry‑aligned training to keep advanced energy jobs in state.

The bill’s sponsors framed SB 45 as an education and workforce measure rather than a deployment policy. Senator Liston said the program "does not use General Fund dollars" and stressed a built‑in fiscal guardrail and a sunset date of Sept. 1, 2033, to allow legislative review. Senator Mullica called it “about outcomes” and said the measure would create clear pathways from classroom to career.

Industry and higher‑education witnesses testified in support. Garen Worthman of the Colorado School of Mines described Mines’ nuclear science and engineering program and offered the school as an implementation partner. Utilities and industry representatives—named by sponsors during testimony—told the committee they are willing to provide financial support if the program is established.

Opponents framed different concerns. Barbara Donachy of Physicians for Social Responsibility said the bill was "premature" because commercial small modular reactor projects do not yet exist in Colorado and raised safety and spent‑fuel concerns; she also cited recent federal changes she said affect Nuclear Regulatory Commission review timelines. Supporters replied that the bill is limited to workforce development and that private funding avoids adding state budget pressure.

The committee adopted amendment L001, which (per the sponsor) gives the Colorado Commission on Higher Education a seat on the workforce council, requires the council’s annual report to CCHE, and adds explicit focus on nuclear regulation and the full fuel cycle. Senator Kipp moved SB 45 as amended to the Committee on Appropriations with a favorable recommendation. The roll call recorded in the hearing transcript shows unanimous committee support; the bill advanced to Appropriations.

The next procedural step is an Appropriations committee review; sponsors said the bill will remain inactive unless private contributions reach the $500,000 activation threshold.