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The Colorado Pro-Worker AI Workforce Act (CO-AI-Workforce)

Colorado state companion to AI Workforce. Labor-protective training credits and OEDIT matching grants. Builds on C.R.S. Title 7 (business entities), Title 39 credits, OEDIT, and the Colorado Office of Innovation.

THE COLORADO PRO-WORKER AI WORKFORCE ACT (CO-AI-WORKFORCE)

Vehicle: State passage. Colorado General Assembly, regular session. Primary referral to House / Senate Business Affairs and Labor / Finance.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the “Colorado Pro-Worker AI Workforce Act (CO-AI-Workforce).”

SECTION 2. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT

The General Assembly finds that Colorado business entities are governed by C.R.S. Title 7; that C.R.S. Title 39 provides income-tax credits including the Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit under C.R.S. 39-22-531; that the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) operates under C.R.S. 24-48.5; that C.R.S. Title 11 and Title 12 authorize financial-services regulation; and that C.R.S. Title 8 and 24-34-402 protections apply. This Act extends these frameworks.

TITLE I — DEFINITIONS & COORDINATION WITH COLORADO LAW

Sec. 101. Definitions

  1. (a) “Qualified CO AI Workforce Training” means training toward a CORMC or Federal FRAC in AI fields.
  2. (b) “Colorado Innovation Sandbox” means a regulatory sandbox under Title III.
  3. (c) “Qualified small business” has the meaning given in C.R.S. Title 7.

Sec. 102. Coordination with Existing Colorado Law

  1. (a) Consistent with:
  • C.R.S. Title 7 (business entities).
  • C.R.S. Title 39 (income tax).
  • C.R.S. 24-48.5 (OEDIT).
  • C.R.S. Title 11; Title 12.

TITLE II — COLORADO AI WORKFORCE TRAINING CREDIT (Worker-Protective Rewire)

Sec. 201. Training Credit and OEDIT Matching Grant

  1. (a) A new credit is added to C.R.S. Title 39 for qualified AI workforce training expenditures, modeled on the Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit.
  2. (b) Credit availability is conditioned on compliance with C.R.S. Title 8 and 24-34-402; priority to employers with a labor-management partnership.
  3. (c) A parallel matching grant program is authorized at OEDIT under C.R.S. 24-48.5.
  4. (d) Coordinated with federal IRC Sec. 45BB; aggregate cap.
  5. (e) Department of Revenue and OEDIT jointly administer.

TITLE III — COLORADO INNOVATION SANDBOX

Sec. 301. Establishment of the Colorado Innovation Sandbox

  1. (a) A Colorado Innovation Sandbox is established within OEDIT, covering occupational-licensure activities under C.R.S. Title 12 and financial-product innovation under C.R.S. Title 11.
  2. (b) Twenty-four-month terms; renewable.

Sec. 302. Scope

  1. (a) Covers state-licensed activities and financial activities to the extent not preempted.

TITLE IV — SMALL-BUSINESS FORMATION

Sec. 401. Expedited Formation Pathway

  1. (a) The Secretary of State shall implement an expedited formation pathway for C.R.S. Title 7 entities within 24 hours.

Sec. 402. Single-Portal Licensing

  1. (a) MyBiz Colorado shall operate a single-portal licensing system for state-level occupational licenses under C.R.S. Title 12.

TITLE V — IMPLEMENTATION & GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 501. Severability

If any provision is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect the remainder.

Sec. 502. Effective Date

This Act shall take effect on January 1 of the year following enactment.

Canonical federal version: AI Workforce. Other Colorado bills: CO-ACSA, CO-MEWRA, CO-GT&P.