(1) The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that:
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that brings together welltrained and dedicated volunteers and paid staff to help prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies;
The American Red Cross:
Helps military families deliver messages to their loved ones serving our nation inforeign countries; and
Has been instrumental in assisting victims of disasters around the world, includingfires, floods, earthquakes, wars, and hurricanes;
Under the leadership of the American Red Cross, thousands of volunteers stand readyto assist those displaced by disaster, wherever and whenever it may strike;
In Colorado, the American Red Cross has trained tens of thousands of citizens in firstaid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, water safety, and other life-saving techniques; and (e) In the 2011 fiscal year alone, the American Red Cross Colorado Chapters:
Responded to more than four hundred disasters;
Assisted nearly eight hundred families affected by disaster;
Assisted more than five thousand members of the United States armed forces viaemergency communications and other services;
Trained more than ninety-eight thousand individuals in cardiopulmonary
resuscitation, first aid, and other health and safety techniques;
Gave preparedness presentations at events attended by more than thirty thousandindividuals; and
Relied on more than three thousand volunteers to fulfill the American Red Crossmission.
(2) In order to assist the American Red Cross Colorado Chapters in fulfilling the mission of the American Red Cross, the general assembly recognizes that many citizens of Colorado may be willing to provide moneys to assist in its efforts. It is therefore the intent of the general assembly to provide Coloradans the opportunity to support the efforts of the American Red Cross Colorado Chapters by allowing citizens to make a voluntary contribution on their state income tax return form to the American Red Cross Colorado disaster response, readiness, and preparedness fund for such a purpose.
Source: L. 2012: Entire part added, (HB 12-1006), ch. 142, p. 513, § 1, effective August 8.