(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that 2-1-1 Colorado is a public service collaborative of several organizations and that Mile High United Way is the official fiscal manager for the collaborative. The general assembly further finds and declares that 2-1-1 Colorado:

(a) Especially in times of economic need, provides a valuable service to Colorado citizens searching for assistance;

(b) Provides streamlined access to existing health and human services information and eliminates confusing and frustrating searches;

(c) Provides emergency response to natural disasters so as not to overload other public systems;

(d) Provides elderly, disabled, non-English speaking, illiterate, and new Colorado citizens and those incapacitated by crisis the opportunity to help themselves;

(e) Expands civic involvement and provides a forum for matching volunteers and donors with community organizations that need their help; and

(f) Provides an effective social barometer for assessing where need is greatest in the community.

(2) In order to assist 2-1-1 Colorado in fulfilling its mission, the general assembly recognizes that many citizens of Colorado may be willing to provide moneys to assist in 2-1-1 Colorado's efforts. It is therefore the intent of the general assembly to provide Coloradans the opportunity to support the efforts of 2-1-1 Colorado by allowing citizens to make a voluntary contribution on their state income tax returns to the Colorado 2-1-1 first call for help fund for such purpose.