ColoradoFood Waste Reduction in Public Schools
What it does
The act encourages each local education provider to adopt a policy to reduce food waste in school cafeterias and food preparation facilities (policy). The policy may address food waste diversion and aversion initiatives, including composting, donation of excess food to local nonprofits, or share table programs that permit students to return whole food or beverage items for redistribution to other students. A local education provider that implements a policy shall comply with all applicable sanitation and health requirements, including protocols to prevent student exposure to allergens, and shall require school personnel to complete related safety training.
More detail
Current law establishes the Colorado circular communities enterprise (enterprise) to award grants and other funding and to provide technical assistance to certain entities throughout the state that pursue a circular economy for waste management, including waste diversion and aversion. The act requires the enterprise to consider reducing food waste by incentivizing public schools to develop and implement effective composting, excess food donation, or share table programs.
The act extends limited immunity from civil and criminal liability to school personnel and local education providers that supervise food and beverage redistribution in accordance with policies that include share tables. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Apr 17Governor Jared Polis SignedBecame Law
- Apr 8Signed by the President of the Senate
- Apr 8Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- Apr 7Signed by the Speaker of the House
- Mar 28House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
- Vote recorded CONCUR. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded REPASS. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 19House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily
- Mar 18Senate Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed Senate
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 17Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - CommitteeMinor
- Mar 12Senate Committee on Education Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the WholeMinor
- Feb 20Introduced In Senate - Assigned to EducationMinor
- Feb 19House Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed House
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 18House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
- Feb 13House Committee on Education Refer Amended to House Committee of the WholeMinor
- Jan 8Introduced In House - Assigned to EducationIntroduced