First Regular Session
Seventy-fourth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REREVISED
This Version Includes All Amendments
Adopted in the Second House
LLS NO. 23-0139.01 Brita Darling x2241
SENATE BILL 23-005
Senate Committees House Committees
Agriculture & Natural Resources Agri culture, Water & Natural Resources
Appropriations Appropriations
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING MEASURES TO EXPAND THE FORESTRY WORKFORCE , AND,101
IN CONNECTION THEREWITH , DIRECTING THE COLORADO STATE102
FOREST SERVICE TO DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS FOR103
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN104
FORESTRY AND WILDFIRE MITIGATION ; CREATING A TIMBER,105
FOREST HEALTH , AND WILDFIRE MITIGATION INDUSTRIES106
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TO HELP FUND107
INTERNSHIPS IN THOSE INDUSTRIES ; ALLOCATING GENERAL108
FUND MONEY TO THE WILDFIRE MITIGATION CAPACITY109
DEVELOPMENT FUND ; AUTHORIZING THE EXPANSION AND110
CREATION OF FORESTRY PROGRAMS ;
DIRECTING THE STATE111
BOARD FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND OCCUPATIONAL112
EDUCATION TO ADMINISTER A PROGRAM TO RE CRUIT WILDLAND113
HOUSE
3rd Reading Unamended
April 24, 2023
HOUSE
Amended 2nd Reading
April 21, 2023
SENATE
3rd Reading Unamended
April 14, 2023
SENATE
Amended 2nd Reading
April 13, 2023
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Jaquez Lewis and Cutter, Ginal, Simpson, Danielson, Buckner, Exum, Fenberg, Fields,
Hansen, Hinrichsen, Marchman, Moreno, Priola, Roberts, Rodriguez, Sullivan, Winter F.
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Lynch and Snyder, Story, Amabile, Bird, Brown, Dickson, Duran, English, Froelich,
Hamrick, Jodeh, Joseph, Lieder, Lindsay, Lukens, McCluskie, McLachlan, Michaelson Jenet,
Titone, Valdez, Velasco, Weinberg, Willford, Young
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. FIRE PREVENTION AND MITIGATION EDUCATORS ; AND MAKING101
AN APPROPRIATION.102
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov/
.)
Wildfire Matters Review Committee. Section 1 of the bill
directs the Colorado state forest service (state forest service) to consult
with other entities to develop educational materials relating to career
opportunities in forestry and wildfire mitigation for distribution to high
school guidance counselors to provide to high school students.
Section 2 creates the timber, forest health, and wildfire mitigation
industries workforce development program (development program) in the
state forest service. The development program provides partial
reimbursement to timber businesses and forest health or wildfire
mitigation entities for the costs of hiring interns.
Section 3 requires the state treasurer, on June 30, 2023, and on
June 30 each year thereafter, to transfer $1 million from the general fund
to the wildfire mitigation capacity development fund for allowable uses
of the fund.
Sections 4, 5, and 6 authorize the expansion of existing forestry
programs, including wildfire mitigation, and the creation of a new
forestry program within the community college system and at Colorado
mountain college (forestry programs). The bill provides for the
acquisition of a harvesting simulator to train students, which may be
shared among the forestry programs. The bill includes funding for the
forestry programs within the community college system and at Colorado
mountain college through limited purpose fee-for-service contracts and
grants.
Section 7 directs the state board for community colleges and
occupational education (board) to administer the recruitment of wildland
fire prevention and mitigation educators program (recruiting program) to
increase the number of qualified educators at community colleges, area
technical colleges, and local district colleges that deliver a wildfire
prevention and mitigation program or course. The bill appropriates
$250,000 from the general fund for the 2023-24 and for the 2024-25 state
fiscal years for the recruiting program.
005-2- Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-31-313, add (9.2)2
as follows:3
23-31-313. Healthy forests - vibrant communities - funds4
created - outreach working group - legislative declaration -5
definitions - repeal. (9.2) Outreach to high school students. T
HE6
FOREST SERVICE, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL7
RESOURCES, THE DIVISION OF FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL IN THE8
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY , THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY
9
COLLEGES AND OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION , AND TIMBER INDUSTRY10
REPRESENTATIVES, SHALL DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS RELATING11
TO CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN FORESTRY AND WILDFIRE RISK MITIGATION12
TO DISTRIBUTE TO HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELORS TO PROVIDE TO13
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.14
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 23-31-320 as15
follows:16
23-31-320. Timber, forest health, and wildfire mitigation17
industries workforce development program - creation - policies and18
procedures - legislative declaration - definitions. (1) T
HE GENERAL19
ASSEMBLY FINDS, DETERMINES, AND DECLARES THAT:20
(a) F
INDING QUALIFIED AND TRAINED EMPLOYEES IS A SIGNIFICANT21
CHALLENGE FOR THE STATE 'S TIMBER, FOREST HEALTH, AND WILDFIRE22
MITIGATION INDUSTRIES, AND IT IS ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT TO PROVIDE23
TRAINING TO AND OPPORTUNITIES TO GAIN EXPERIENCE FOR YOUNGER24
WORKERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN BEGINNING CAREERS IN THE TIMBER ,25
FOREST HEALTH, AND WILDFIRE MITIGATION INDUSTRIES;26
(b) T
HE BARRIERS TO ENTRY FOR YOUNGER WORKERS WHO ARE27
005
-3- INTERESTED IN BEGINNING A CAREER IN THE TIMBER, FOREST HEALTH, AND1
WILDFIRE MITIGATION INDUSTRIES ARE SIGNIFICANT , INCLUDING ACCESS2
TO TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE REAL -WORLD WORK EXPERIENCE ;3
(c) I
NTERNSHIPS ARE A RECOGNIZED WAY TO BUILD A TALENT4
PIPELINE AND CAREER PATHWAY TO ALIGN EDUCATION , TRAINING, AND5
WORK-BASED LEARNING; AND6
(d) B
Y OFFERING INCENTIVES TO TIMBER BUSINESSES AND FOREST7
HEALTH AND WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITIES TO CREATE INTERNSHIPS ,8
THERE WILL BE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO OBTAIN WORK9
EXPERIENCE WITH TIMBER BUSINESSES OR WITH FOREST HEALTH OR10
WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITIES.11
(2) A
S USED IN THIS SECTION:12
(a) "F
OREST HEALTH OR WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITY " MEANS A13
FOR-PROFIT OR NONPROFIT ENTITY LOCATED OR OPERATING IN COLORADO14
THAT ENGAGES IN OR FOCUSES RESOURCES ON FOREST HEALTH OR15
WILDFIRE MITIGATION ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING PRESCRIBED BURNING AS16
DEFINED IN SECTION
24-33.5-1202, OR OTHER SCIENCE-BASED FOREST17
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES .18
(b) "F
OREST SERVICE" MEANS THE COLORADO STATE FOREST19
SERVICE IDENTIFIED IN SECTION 23-31-302 AND THE DIVISION OF20
FORESTRY CREATED IN SECTION 24-33-104.21
(c) "P
ROGRAM" MEANS THE TIMBER , FOREST HEALTH, AND22
WILDFIRE MITIGATION INDUSTRIES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM23
CREATED IN SUBSECTION (3) OF THIS SECTION.24
(d) "T
IMBER BUSINESS" MEANS A FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS ENTITY25
INCORPORATED OR LOCATED IN COLORADO THAT ENGAGES IN OR FOCUSES26
RESOURCES ON FORESTRY ; LOGGING; THE TIMBER TRADE ; OR THE27
005
-4- PRODUCTION OF WOOD PRODUCTS , SUCH AS FURNITURE OR SECONDARY1
PRODUCTS, INCLUDING WOOD PULP FOR THE PULP AND PAPER INDUSTRY .2
(3) T
HE TIMBER, FOREST HEALTH, AND WILDFIRE MITIGATION3
INDUSTRIES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IS HEREBY CREATED IN4
THE FOREST SERVICE TO PROVIDE INCENTIVES TO TIMBER BUSINESSES AND5
FOREST HEALTH OR WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITIES TO HIRE INTERNS6
THROUGH PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT OF THE COSTS TO SUCH BUSINESSES7
AND ENTITIES FOR HIRING AND EMPLOYING INTERNS . NOT LATER THAN8
J
ANUARY 1, 2024, THE FOREST SERVICE SHALL ADOPT POLICIES AND9
PROCEDURES FOR ADMINISTERING THE PROGRAM . THE POLICIES AND10
PROCEDURES MUST SPECIFY, AT A MINIMUM:11
(a) T
HE CRITERIA FOR SELECTING A TIMBER BUSINESS OR FOREST12
HEALTH OR WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE13
PROGRAM, INCLUDING THE ABILITY OF THE BUSINESS OR ENTITY TO14
EFFECTIVELY SUPERVISE AN INTERN AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR AN15
INTERN TO GAIN MEANINGFUL WORK EXPERIENCE ;16
(b) T
HE CRITERIA FOR AN INTERNSHIP TO QUALIFY UNDER THE17
PROGRAM, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING:18
(I) T
HAT THE INTERNSHIP MUST PROVIDE AN INTERN AT LEAST ONE19
HUNDRED THIRTY HOURS OF WORK EXPERIENCE ; AND20
(II) T
HAT THE INTERNSHIP CANNOT EXCEED SIX MONTHS IN21
DURATION PER INTERN;22
(c) B
EST PRACTICES FOR A TIMBER BUSINESS OR FOREST HEALTH23
OR WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITY TO USE IN RECRUITING AND SELECTING24
INTERNS TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNSHIPS WHO REPRESENT HISTORICALLY25
UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES IN THE TIMBER , FOREST HEALTH, AND26
WILDFIRE MITIGATION INDUSTRIES. IN DEVELOPING BEST PRACTICES, THE27
005
-5- FOREST SERVICE SHALL SPECIFICALLY CONSIDER HOW TO EXTEND1
OPPORTUNITIES TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE ACQUIRED EXPERIENCE IN2
WILDLAND FIRE SERVICES THROUGH THE INMATE DISASTER RELIEF3
PROGRAM CREATED IN SECTION 17-24-124 (3).4
(d) T
HE CRITERIA FOR A TIMBER BUSINESS OR FOREST HEALTH OR5
WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITY TO USE IN SELECTING INTERNS TO6
PARTICIPATE IN ITS INTERNSHIP , INCLUDING THE EDUCATIONAL7
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED OF AN INTERN AND THE ABILITY OF THE INTERN TO8
PERFORM MEANINGFUL WORK FOR THE BUSINESS OR ENTITY ;9
(e) T
HE PROCESS AND TIMELINE FOR SELECTING TIMBER10
BUSINESSES AND FOREST HEALTH OR WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITIES TO11
PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM AND FOR PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES AND12
ENTITIES TO SELECT INTERNS TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR INTERNSHIPS ;13
(f) T
HE ACCOUNTING REQUIREMENTS FOR TRACKING INTERNSHIP14
COSTS; AND15
(g) T
HE PROCESS A TIMBER BUSINESS OR FOREST HEALTH OR16
WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITY MUST USE WHEN APPLYING TO THE17
PROGRAM FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR A PORTION OF ITS COSTS INCURRED IN18
EMPLOYING AN INTERN.19
(4) S
UBJECT TO AVAILABLE APPROPRIATIONS, THE FOREST SERVICE20
MAY REIMBURSE A PARTICIPATING TIMBER BUSINESS OR FOREST HEALTH21
OR WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITY AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED FIFTY22
PERCENT OF THE ACTUAL COST TO THE BUSINESS OR ENTITY TO EMPLOY AN23
INTERN. THE ACTUAL COST INCLUDES THE WAGES PAID TO THE INTERN , A24
REASONABLE ALLOCATION OF FIXED OVERHEAD EXPENSES , AND ALL25
INCIDENTAL COSTS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE INTERNSHIP . BASED ON THE26
ANNUAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE PROGRAM , THE FOREST SERVICE SHALL27
005
-6- DETERMINE HOW MANY INTERNSHIPS MAY BE APPROVED , THE AMOUNT OF1
REIMBURSEMENT PER INTERNSHIP , AND WHETHER A TIMBER BUSINESS OR2
FOREST HEALTH OR WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITY MAY BE REIMBURSED3
FOR MORE THAN ONE INTERN IN A SINGLE STATE FISCAL YEAR . HOWEVER,4
A TIMBER BUSINESS OR FOREST HEALTH OR WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITY5
SHALL NOT BE REIMBURSED FOR MORE THAN THREE INTERNSHIPS IN A6
SINGLE STATE FISCAL YEAR.7
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-33-117, add (6.2)8
as follows:9
24-33-117. Wildfire mitigation capacity development fund -10
established - financing - legislative intent - repeal. (6.2) O
N JUNE 30,11
2023,
AND ON JUNE 30 EACH YEAR THEREAFTER, THE STATE TREASURER12
SHALL TRANSFER ONE MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE13
WILDFIRE MITIGATION CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT FUND . THE MONEY14
TRANSFERRED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION (6.2) MUST BE USED FOR15
PURPOSES SET FORTH IN SUBSECTION (3) OF THIS SECTION.16
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-18-308, amend17
(2); and add (1)(k)
as follows:18
23-18-308. Fee-for-service contracts - grants to local district19
colleges - limited purpose - repeal. (1) Subject to available20
appropriations, the department shall enter into fee-for-service contracts21
for the following purposes:22
(k) T
HE RECRUITMENT OF WILDLAND FIRE PREVENTION AND
23
MITIGATION EDUCATORS PROGRAM PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-81-102.24
25
(2) Notwithstanding any provision of this part 3 to the contrary,26
the amount of a fee-for-service contract entered into OR GRANT pursuant27
005
-7- to this section is not included in the calculation of "total state1
appropriation" or "total governing board appropriation" made pursuant to2
this part 3.3
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 23-1-142 as4
follows:5
23-1-142. Commission directive - expansion of forestry and6
wildfire mitigation degree and certificate programs - simulator -7
legislative declaration - definitions - repeal. (1) (a) T
HE GENERAL8
ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT:9
(I) C
OLORADO COMMUNITIES AND FORESTS HAVE SUFFERED10
SIGNIFICANT LOSSES DUE TO THE INCREASING NUMBER AND SEVERITY OF11
WILDFIRE EVENTS; AND12
(II) C
OLORADO LACKS SUFFICIENT UNDERGRADUATE
DEGREE AND13
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS IN FORESTRY , INCLUDING WILDFIRE MITIGATION,14
TO MEET THE SIGNIFICANT WORKFORCE NEEDS OF THE STATE .15
(b) T
HEREFORE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECLARES THAT16
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT
IS NECESSARY TO EXPAND EXISTING17
PROGRAMS AND CREATE ADDITIONAL UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE AND18
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE IN FORESTRY , INCLUDING19
WILDFIRE MITIGATION, TO PROVIDE A VITAL WORKFORCE FOR COLORADO20
AND TO KEEP THE STATE'S FORESTS AND COMMUNITIES HEALTHY AND21
SAFE.22
(2) A
S USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE23
REQUIRES:24
(a) "F
ORESTRY PROGRAM" MEANS AN UNDERGRADUATE
DEGREE25
OR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM THAT WILL MEET FORESTRY WORKFORCE26
NEEDS, INCLUDING FOREST HEALTH AND MANAGEMENT AND WILDFIRE27
005
-8- MITIGATION.1
(b) "P
UBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION" MEANS A STATE
2
INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION AS IDENTIFIED IN SECTION 23-18-1023
(10)(a),
A LOCAL DISTRICT COLLEGE, OR AN AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE.
4
(c) "SIMULATOR" MEANS A HARVESTING SIMULATOR USED TO5
TRAIN STUDENTS IN OPERATIONS RELATING TO FOREST MANAGEMENT .6
(3) (a) S
UBJECT TO AVAILABLE APPROPRIATIONS , THE COMMISSION
7
MAY APPROVE THE EXPANSION OF EXISTING FORESTRY PROGRAMS AND8
THE CREATION OF NEW FORESTRY PROGRAMS AT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF9
HIGHER EDUCATION. THE INITIAL COST FOR THE CREATION AND10
EXPANSION OF FORESTRY PROGRAMS MAY BE FUNDED THROUGH GRANTS11
APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION . THE DEPARTMENT MAY USE MONEY12
APPROPRIATED FOR THE 2023-24 AND 2024-25 STATE FISCAL YEARS FOR13
GRANTS PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.14
(b) T
HE GRANT
MAY BE USED FOR:15
(I) P
ROGRAM DESIGN AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES NECESSARY16
TO EXPAND OR CREATE THE FORESTRY PROGRAMS ;17
(II) T
HE ACQUISITION OF A SIMULATOR FOR THE FORESTRY18
PROGRAM ONCE THE PROGRAM IS ESTABLISHED , WHICH MAY BE SHARED19
WITH FORESTRY PROGRAMS AT OTHER PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER
20
EDUCATION; AND21
(III) A
NY OTHER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH EXPANDING EXISTING22
FORESTRY PROGRAMS OR CREATING A NEW FORESTRY PROGRAM .23
(4) I
F MORE THAN ONE PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION
24
WISHES TO EXPAND AN EXISTING FORESTRY PROGRAM OR CREATE A NEW25
FORESTRY PROGRAM , THE COMMISSION, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE26
C
OLORADO STATE FOREST SERVICE,
SHALL DETERMINE THE LOCATION OF27
005
-9- THE PROGRAMS, PRIORITIZING PROGRAMS AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF1
HIGHER EDUCATION THAT CAN PROVIDE A TRAINED WORKFORCE2
EXPEDITIOUSLY. IN ADDITION TO OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS , THE3
COMMISSION SHALL CONSIDER:4
(a) T
HE DISTRIBUTION OF FORESTRY PROGRAMS ACROSS THE5
STATE;6
(b) T
HE NEED FOR A FORESTRY WORKFORCE IN THE SURROUNDING7
COMMUNITY OR REGION OF THE STATE ;8
(c) T
HE PROJECTED STUDENT INTEREST IN THE FORESTRY9
PROGRAMS
AT THE COMPETING LOCATIONS; AND10
(d) A
CCESSIBILITY AND EQUITY.
11
(5) T
HIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2027.
12
13
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add article 81 to title14
23 as follows:15
ARTICLE 8116
Wildland Fire Prevention and Mitigation Educators17
23-81-101. Definitions. A
S USED IN THIS ARTICLE 81, UNLESS THE18
CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :19
(1) "A
REA TECHNICAL COLLEGE" HAS THE MEANING SET FORTH IN20
SECTION 23-60-103 (1).21
(2) "B
OARD" MEANS THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY22
COLLEGES AND OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION CREATED IN SECTION23
23-60-104.24
(3) "C
OMMITTEE" MEANS THE WILDFIRE MATTERS REVIEW25
COMMITTEE CREATED IN SECTION 2-3-1602, OR ANY SUCCESSOR26
COMMITTEE.27
005
-10- (4) "COMMUNITY COLLEGE " MEANS A COMMUNITY COLLEGE1
DESCRIBED IN SECTION 23-60-205 THAT IS GOVERNED BY THE BOARD.2
(5) "D
EPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER3
EDUCATION.4
(6) "I
NSTITUTION" MEANS A COMMUNITY COLLEGE , AREA5
TECHNICAL COLLEGE, OR LOCAL DISTRICT COLLEGE.6
(7) "L
OCAL DISTRICT COLLEGE" HAS THE MEANING SET FORTH IN7
SECTION 23-71-102 (1).8
(8) "P
ROGRAM" MEANS THE RECRUITMENT OF WILDLAND FIRE9
PREVENTION AND MITIGATION EDUCATORS PROGRAM DESCRIBED IN10
SECTION 23-81-102.11
(9) "Q
UALIFIED WILDLAND FIRE PREVENTION AND MITIGATION12
EDUCATOR" MEANS A PERSON WITH THE NECESSARY EXPERIENCE AND13
EDUCATION, AND WHO SATISFIES ALL REQUIREMENTS OF STATE AND14
FEDERAL LAW OR THE INSTITUTION'S POLICY, TO BE AN EDUCATOR AT THE15
INSTITUTION.16
23-81-102. Recruitment of wildland fire prevention and17
mitigation educators program - report - definition. (1) S
UBJECT TO18
AVAILABLE APPROPRIATIONS , THE BOARD SHALL ADMINISTER THE19
RECRUITMENT OF WILDLAND FIRE PREVENTION AND MITIGATION20
EDUCATORS PROGRAM TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AVAILABLE21
QUALIFIED WILDLAND FIRE PREVENTION AND MITIGATION EDUCATORS .22
(2) T
HE BOARD SHALL ALLOCATE GRANTS , PURSUANT TO SECTION
23
23-18-308 (1)(k), TO INSTITUTIONS THAT DELIVER A WILDLAND FIRE24
PREVENTION AND MITIGATION DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM OR25
COURSE. THE INSTITUTIONS MAY USE THE MONEY TO :26
(a) P
ROVIDE THE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS NECESSARY TO27
005
-11- ATTRACT AND RETAIN QUALIFIED WILDLAND FIRE PREVENTION AND1
MITIGATION EDUCATORS; AND2
(b) T
RAIN PERSONS TO BECOME QUALIFIED WILDLAND FIRE3
PREVENTION AND MITIGATION EDUCATORS .4
(3) (a) F
OR THE 2023-24 AND THE 2024-25 STATE FISCAL YEARS,5
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL APPROPRIATE TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR6
ALLOCATION BY THE BOARD FOR USE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION7
(2)
OF THIS SECTION TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THE8
GENERAL FUND IN EACH STATE FISCAL YEAR, OF WHICH ONE PERCENT MAY9
BE USED FOR ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM . ANY AMOUNT OF THE10
APPROPRIATION THAT IS UNENCUMBERED OR UNEXPENDED AT THE END OF11
EITHER THE 2023-24 STATE FISCAL YEAR OR THE 2024-25 STATE FISCAL12
YEAR:13
(I) D
OES NOT REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND OR ANY OTHER FUND ;14
(II) M
AY BE USED BY THE BOARD IN THE SUBSEQUENT STATE15
FISCAL YEAR WITHOUT FURTHER APPROPRIATION ; AND16
(III) M
UST NOT BE USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE OTHER THAN17
THE PURPOSES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION.18
(b) I
N ADDITION TO THE APPROPRIATION IN THIS SECTION , THE19
BOARD MAY SEEK, ACCEPT, AND EXPEND GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS20
FROM PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SOURCES FOR THE PROGRAM .21
(4) O
N OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2024, AND ON OR BEFORE JANUARY22
1
OF EACH YEAR THEREAFTER IN WHICH THE COMMITTEE MEETS , THE23
DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE A SUMMARIZED REPORT REGARDING THE24
PROGRAM TO THE COMMITTEE . NOTWITHSTANDING SECTION 24-1-13625
(11)(a)(I),
THE REPORTING REQUIREMENT IN THIS SUBSECTION (4)26
CONTINUES INDEFINITELY.27
005
-12- SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-3.3-103, amend1
(5); and add (12), (13), and (14) as follows:2
23-3.3-103. Annual appropriations - repeal. (5) The provisions3
of subsection (1) of this section concerning appropriations for student4
financial assistance under this article 3.3 shall not apply to appropriations5
made to the forest restoration and wildfire risk mitigation grant program6
cash fund created in section 23-31-301 (8.5)(a)
OR THE HEALTHY FORESTS
7
AND VIBRANT COMMUNITIES FUND CREATED IN SECTION 23-31-313 (10).8
(12) T
HE PROVISIONS OF SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION
9
CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS FOR STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE10
UNDER THIS ARTICLE 3.3 SHALL NOT APPLY TO APPROPRIATIONS MADE FOR11
THE TIMBER, FOREST HEALTH, AND WILDFIRE MITIGATION INDUSTRIES12
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-31-320.13
(13) (a) T
HE PROVISIONS OF SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION
14
CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS FOR STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE15
UNDER THIS ARTICLE 3.3 SHALL NOT APPLY TO APPROPRIATIONS MADE FOR16
THE EXPANSION OF FORESTRY AND WILDFIRE MITIGATION DEGREE AND17
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-1-142.18
(b) T
HIS SUBSECTION (13) IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2027.
19
(14) T
HE PROVISIONS OF SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION
20
CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS FOR STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE21
UNDER THIS ARTICLE 3.3 SHALL NOT APPLY TO APPROPRIATIONS MADE FOR22
THE RECRUITMENT OF WILDLAND FIRE PREVENTION AND MITIGATION23
EDUCATORS PROGRAM PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-81-102.24
SECTION 8. Appropriation. (1) For the 2023-24 state fiscal25
year, $15,000 is appropriated to the healthy forests and vibrant26
communities fund created in section 23-31-313 (10), C.R.S. This27
005
-13- appropriation is from the general fund. The department of higher1
education is responsible for the accounting related to this appropriation.2
(2) For the 2023-24 state fiscal year, $1,545,034 is appropriated3
to the department of higher education. This appropriation is from the4
general fund. To implement this act, the department may use this5
appropriation as follows:6
(a) $114,384 for the Colorado state forest service at Colorado7
state university8
(b) $1,180,650 for use by the Colorado commission on higher9
education for new and expanded forestry programs; and10
(c) $250,000 for the college opportunity fund program to be used11
for limited purpose fee-for-service contracts with state institutions.12
(3) For the 2023-24 state fiscal year, $250,000 is appropriated to13
the department of higher education. This appropriation is from14
reappropriated funds received from the limited purpose fee-for-service15
contracts with state institutions under subsection (2)(c) of this section. To16
implement this act, the department may use this appropriation for the state17
board for community colleges and occupational education state system18
colleges.19
SECTION 9. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,20
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate21
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety.22
005
-14-