By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice
In a moment Tuesday which appeared to even make the Colorado House Speaker, a Democrat, chuckle, Republican Rep. Ken Degraaf criticized House Bill 25-1161 before it was passed out of the chamber on party lines.
The measure, by Democrat Rep. Alex Valdez and Democrat Sen. Cathy Kipp, requires the labeling of gas stoves to indicate “this appliance should be ventilated to the exterior when in use.” The bill does not explicitly cause an installer to vent a gas stove outdoors.
“I know you’ll vote for it, because it is a feel-good bill,” said DeGraaf, suggesting the bill is simply virtue signaling by the political Left. “I’ll make fun of you for it anyways.”
He explained how stoves generally work in homes throughout the state, including in areas of the Front Range.
“Most of your stoves vent back indoors. That’s part of the code,” he said. “Whatever you’re trying to get out, most likely it is coming back in the house.”
That’s not a bad thing, he explained.
“What comes out of the stove is [carbon dioxide] and water,” he said. “You should really get a plant, because plants love CO2 and water.”
The bill would make a violation of the stove labeling a “deceptive trade practice” under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act, which is no laughing matter. It could result in a $20,000 fine per occurrence.
The measure passed on a 41-21 vote and will move to the Colorado Senate.