Anti-genocide bill headed to House floor

David Montero, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 7, 2007 at midnight

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A bill that would require the state’s $38 billion pension fund to divest itself from any companies doing business with Sudan sailed through the finance committee this morning and could be read on the House floor as soon as Friday.

The bill, sponsored by House Speaker Andrew Romanoff and co-sponsored by several House members, is Colorado’s response to the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. Monday, the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association voted to support the legislation as well.

PERA Executive Director Meredith Williams testified before the committee to answer questions and support the legislation.

According to United Nations estimates, close to half a million people have been slaughtered by Sudanese fighters known as Janjaweed. The genocide has also displaced more than 2.5 million people.

"It’s the central moral crisis of our time," Romanoff told the committee.

With some minor tweaking, the bill was passed unanimously by the committee and Romanoff said Colorado’s example may lead other states to look more closely at their investment strategies as well.

Rep. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, said he appreciated Romanoff bringing the bill forward and said its narrow, targeted approach was a way Colorado could make a difference in trying to stop the genocide.

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