Extending Statutory Authorization for the Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council until 2026

S.B. 23-159 extends the statutory authorization for the Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council from September 1, 2023, to September 1, 2026. The Council focuses on growing Colorado’s food economies and increasing access to fresh, affordable, and healthy foods and includes representatives from institutional procurement and farm to school programs. This bill also revises the appointment process for council members, adds a food bank representative to the council, assigns new duties, and mandates annual reporting with public input, while repealing the council’s authority to undertake unspecified activities. The bill appropriates $151,068 from the general fund and $151,068 from reappropriated funds to the department of higher education for implementation.