1. (1) The general assembly finds and determines that:

   1. (a) Mercury is a potent and persistent neurotoxin that causes harm to human nervous systems, immune systems, and organ function and impairs fetal and child development;
   2. (b) Accelerating the phase-out of general-purpose fluorescent light bulbs containing toxic mercury will protect worker health and public health, including during the manufacture, distribution, use, collection, disposal, and recycling of the light bulbs;
   3. (c) Fluorescent bulbs have long provided a valuable service, but cleaner, safer alternatives have become widely available and affordable;
   4. (d) Mercury-free LED replacements for general-purpose fluorescent bulbs provide the same or better lighting service, longer product life, and much lower total cost; and
   5. (e) According to a study from the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, accelerating the phase-out of most general-purpose fluorescent lighting for sale in Colorado will prevent one hundred sixty-seven pounds of mercury and two million one hundred thousand metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the environment and lead to five hundred seventy-two million dollars in net utility bill savings for Colorado businesses and residents.
2. (2) The general assembly therefore declares that it is in the public interest to phase out the sale of general-purpose fluorescent light bulbs that contain mercury.

Source: L. 2023: Entire part added, (HB 23-1161), ch. 285, p. 1707, § 8, effective August 7.