Priority for persons who are blind - licensing

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 8-84-203, under Labor and Industry.

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 8-84-203

The department shall issue licenses to persons who are blind and who are qualified to operate vending facilities, in accordance with the criteria used for the licensing of operators of vending facilities on federal property pursuant to section 8-84-107 and the federal Randolph-Sheppard Vending Stand Act, as amended. In addition, the department may issue licenses to persons who are blind and who are qualified to own, operate, or own and operate a business other than a vending facility. In authorizing vending facilities or other businesses on state property, the department shall give priority to persons who are blind and who are licensed by the department in order to enlarge the economic opportunities of persons who are blind by providing remunerative employment and to stimulate persons who are blind to greater efforts in striving to make themselves self-supporting.

Source: L. 2015: Entire article added with relocations, (SB 15-239), ch. 160, p. 485, � 2, effective July 1, 2016. L. 2016: Entire section amended, (HB 16-1048), ch. 146, p. 437, � 2, effective July 1.

Editor's note: This section is similar to former � 26-8.5-102 as it existed prior to 2016.

Cross references: For the federal Randolph-Sheppard Vending Stand Act, see 20 U.S.C. sec. 107 et seq.

8-84-204. Satisfactory sites for vending facilities - other businesses operated by persons who are blind. (1) (a) A department or agency of the state of Colorado shall not construct, acquire by ownership, rent, lease, or other means, or undertake to substantially alter or renovate, in whole or in part, a building unless, after consultation with the department of labor and employment, it is determined that the building will include a satisfactory site or sites for the location and operation of a vending facility by a person who is blind.

(b) Before a state department or agency constructs, acquires, rents, leases, or otherwise undertakes to alter or renovate a state property, the state department or agency shall consult with the department of labor and employment to determine if the state property can include a satisfactory site for the location and operation of a business, other than a vending facility, that is owned, operated, or owned and operated by a person who is blind.

(2) Each department or agency shall provide notice to the department of labor and employment of its plans for the occupation, acquisition, construction, alteration, or renovation of a building adequate to permit the department of labor and employment to determine whether the building includes a satisfactory site for a vending facility or other business that can be operated by a person who is blind and is licensed pursuant to section 8-84-203.

(3) This section does not apply when the department of labor and employment determines that the number of people using the building will be insufficient to support a vending facility or other business.

(4) The department of labor and employment shall not be charged for:

(a) The use of state-furnished space;

(b) Maintenance or janitorial services;

(c) Repair of the building structure in and adjacent to the vending facility or other business area, including any necessary initial and periodical painting and decorating;

(d) Utilities required to operate vending facilities and vending machines or equipment required for other businesses operated by persons who are blind; or

(e) Repairing and replacing floor coverings, cleaning windows, or providing other related building services in accordance with the normal level of building service applicable to the state building in which the vending facility or other business is located.

Source: L. 2015: Entire article added with relocations, (SB 15-239), ch. 160, p. 485, � 2, effective July 1, 2016. L. 2016: Entire section amended, (HB 16-1048), ch. 146, p. 438, � 3, effective July 1.

Editor's note: This section is similar to former � 26-8.5-103 as it existed prior to 2016.