Members of the Colorado National Guard, who are called out by the governor to help with natural disasters, should not have to use vacation time from their jobs when they’re out for longer periods of time, under a bill approved by the General Assembly’s House State, Civil, Military and Veterans Committee on Jan. 26.

Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, is the Senate sponsor of House Bill 1045, which won unanimous approval from the committee and now awaits action from the full House.

The bill would require employers to grant up to three weeks of leave, paid or unpaid, for members of the Guard. Prev...