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Legislative/Public Policy Updates
HB 09-1088: Certification of Nonprofits as Local Public
Procurement Units
In a signing ceremony at the Colorado Nonprofit Association Awards Luncheon, Gov. Ritter signed HB 09-1088, sponsored by Rep. David Balmer (R–Centennial) and Sen. Linda Newell (D–Englewood).
HB 09-1088 allows nonprofits that receive funds from local, state, or federal governments to be certified by the Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA) as local public procurement units. Once certified a nonprofit can make purchases through the state procurement system and have the same discounts of 10 to 40 percent that state government enjoys. The bill becomes effective ninety days after the General Assembly adjourns, so nonprofits can probably start taking advantage of this program in early August. DPA will most likely announce rules in May or June to adapt the state procurement system for this change. For more information, go to www.colorado.gov/dpa/dfp/spo/index.htm and www.ColoradoNonprofits.org in the coming months.
Amendment 54
Your organization may be subject to Amendment 54 requirements if:
(1) it receives $100,000 or more in state and/or local government contracts (valued individually or together); AND
(2) the contracts are "sole source" and do not solicit three or more competitive bids prior to being awarded.
Organizations that hold sole source government contracts and their board members are prohibited from making campaign contributions for the duration of the contract and two years afterwards. For affected board members, this includes influencing family members in any way to contribute on their behalf. Amendment 54 also disqualifies any person who makes a contribution to influence the outcome of a ballot measure from entering into a sole source contract.
Sole source contract holders are also required to notify the state of their contract by completing a summary of the contract for the Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA).
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about Amendment 54.
New Proposed Rules for Charitable Solicitations Registration
Nonprofits who solicit charitable donations from the public are required by law to register for charitable solicitations with the Colorado Secretary of State's office and renew this registration on an annual basis unless specific exemptions apply. In accordance with HB 08-1109 passed last year, the Secretary of State has proposed new rules on charitable solicitations. Click here for details.
2009 Legislative Matrix
Want to know about legislation affecting your nonprofit? The Colorado Nonprofit Association tracks state legislation impacting nonprofits sector-wide. Download our latest legislative matrix (PDF).
2009 Legislative Session Report
Click here to learn about the most important bills that the Colorado Nonprofit Association tracked this year (PDF). Click here to view the 2009 Legislation session summary from Aponte and Busam, the Association’s lobbying team (PDF).
Association members can stay up to date on public policy issues through free email updates! Email Mark Turner to request free updates.
Public Policy Resources
The Colorado Nonprofit Association provides a variety of resources to help nonprofits understand their role in enhancing voter engagement, and build consensus on civic issues of primary concern to nonprofits and their constituencies. View a complete listing of the Association's public policy resources.