Section 26-11-208 - Strategic investments in aging grant program - fund created - report - definitions(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) "Eligible organization" means an area agency on aging, as defined in section 26-11-201, and other entities the state department determines appropriate to advance strategies and investments aligned with the strategic action plan on aging, developed pursuant to section 24-32-3406, as the section existed prior to July 1, 2022, and the state plan on aging described pursuant to section 26-11-203(1).(b) "Fund" means the strategic investments in aging cash fund created in subsection (5) of this section.(c) "Grant program" or "program" means the strategic investments in aging grant program created in subsection (2) of this section.(2) The strategic investments in aging grant program is established in the state office. The state office shall establish and administer the grant program. The purpose of the grant program is to provide state assistance received in the form of grant awards to finance various projects across the state that are intended to assist and support older Coloradans. The grant program is intended to support projects that promote the health, equity, well-being, and security of older Coloradans across the state that are consistent with the recommendations of the strategic action plan on aging, developed pursuant to section 24-32-3406, as that section existed prior to July 1, 2022, and the state plan on aging described pursuant to section 26-11-203(1), including: (a) Community services for older Coloradans;(b) Infrastructure improvements;(c) Health promotion, congregate meals, and socialization activities;(d) Transportation services;(e) Home modification programs;(f) Implementation of evidence-based fall prevention and chronic disease management programs;(g) Community assessments, data collection, and research; and(h) Pilot programs and demonstration projects.(3)(a) The state office shall:(I) Adopt policies and procedures for the administration of the program;(II) Create application procedures by which eligible organizations may apply for and receive grant money from the grant program;(III) Establish criteria for the selection of applications; and(IV) Coordinate with the Colorado energy office, created in section 24-38.5-101, on incentives and potential investments that align with the greenhouse goals described in section 25-7-102 to increase energy efficiency and renewable electricity in buildings used by older Coloradans and the use of electric vehicles for transporting older Coloradans.(b) Beginning in January 2023, and every January thereafter, the state department shall include in its report to the committees of reference pursuant to the "State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act" hearing required by section 2-7-203 information from the state office regarding the grant program, as set forth in this subsection (3), including information on the type of projects financed by grant awards, the amount of money awarded to each project, and where those projects were conducted and the program's impact on the health, equity, well-being, and security of older Coloradans.(4) The state office may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations from private or public sources for the purposes of this section.(5)(a) There is created in the state treasury the strategic investments in aging cash fund. The fund consists of money appropriated to the fund by the general assembly.(b) For fiscal year 2021-22, the general assembly shall appropriate fifteen million dollars from the general fund to the fund.(c) Any unexpended and unencumbered money in the fund at the end of the fiscal year remains in the fund and is not transferred to the general fund or any other fund. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 24-36-114, all interest derived from the deposit and investment of money in the fund is credited to the fund.(d) Money in the fund is continuously appropriated to the state department to fund programs and projects consistent with this section. The state department may expend money from the fund for the purpose of implementing this section, including any direct and indirect costs.Amended by 2022 Ch. 487,§1, eff. 6/8/2022.Added by 2021 Ch. 426,§2, eff. 7/6/2021.L. 2021: Entire section added, (SB 21-290), ch. 2823, p. 2823, § 2, effective July 6. For the legislative declaration in SB 21-290, see section 1 of chapter 426, Session Laws of Colorado 2021.