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July 16, 2024 HB 24-1006
Legislative Council Staff
Nonpartisan Services for Colorado’s Legislature
Final Fiscal Note
Drafting Number:
Prime Sponsors:
LLS 24-0423
Rep. Velasco; Snyder
Sen. Cutter; Will
Date:
Bill Status:
Fiscal Analyst:
July 16, 2024
Signed into Law
Colin Gaiser | 303-866-2677
colin.gaiser@coleg.gov
Bill Topic: ASSIST RURAL COMMUNITY WILDFIRE -RELATED GRANT APP
Summary of
Fiscal Impact:
☐ State Revenue
☒ State Expenditure
☐ State Transfer
☐ TABOR Refund
☒ Local Government
☐ Statutory Public Entity
The bill requires the Colorado State Forest Service to create a grant program for
non-governmental organizations that assist rural communities in applying for
wildfire-related grants. It increases state and local expenditures on an ongoing basis.
Appropriation
Summary:
For FY 2024-25, the bill requires and includes an appropriation of $300,000 to the
Department of Higher Education for use by the Colorado State Forest Service at
Colorado State University.
Fiscal Note
Status:
The final fiscal note reflects the enacted bill. The bill was recommended by the
Wildfire Matters Review Committee.
Table 1
State Fiscal Impacts Under HB 24-1006
Budget Year
FY 2024-25
Out Year
FY 2025-26
Revenue - -
Expenditures General Fund
1
$275,875 $24,125
Centrally Appropriated $6,300 $4,725
Total Expenditures $282,175 $28,850
Total FTE 0.4 FTE 0.3 FTE
Transfers - -
Other Budget Impacts General Fund Reserve $41,381 $3,619
1
Money appropriated from the General Fund to the rural grant navigator program in FY 2024-25 has roll-forward
spending authority through FY 2027-28, and therefore may be spent over several years.
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July 16, 2024 HB 24-1006
Summary of Legislation
The bill requires the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) at the Colorado State University to
establish a rural grant navigator program for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that
provides outreach and technical assistance to rural communities applying for wildfire mitigation
and preparedness grants. The CSFS must post criteria and guidelines for grant awards by
February 28, 2025, and NGOs may apply for grants from the program beginning March 1, 2025.
To the best of its ability, the CSFS is required to consult with the Department of Natural
Resources, the Division of Fire Prevention and Control in the Department of Public Safety, the
Governor’s Office, and rural counties to evaluate the effective use of grant funding and
successful outcomes. By March 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the CSFS must report program
activity to the Wildfire Matters Review Committee.
State Expenditures
The bill increases state expenditures in the CSFS by up to $282,000 in FY 2024-25, and $29,000
in FY 2025-26 paid from the General Fund. Costs are shown in Table 2 and described below.
Table 2
Expenditures Under HB 24-1006
FY 2024-25 FY 2025-26
Colorado State Forest Service
Personal Services $31,655 $23,741
Operating Expenses $512 $384
Capital Outlay Costs $6,670 -
Rural Grant Navigator Grants
1
up to $237,038 -
Centrally Appropriated Costs
2
$6,300 $4,725
Total Cost $282,175 $28,850
Total FTE 0.4 FTE 0.3 FTE
1
Expenditures for grants are shown in FY 2024-25, but may be spent across several years.
2
Centrally appropriated costs are not included in the bill's appropriation.
Colorado State Forest Service. The bill increases expenditures in the CSFS to establish, fund,
and manage the grant program, and report on program outcomes.
Staff. The CSFS requires 0.4 FTE in FY 2024-25 for a forestry program specialist to develop
the grant program and collaborate with NGOs, and 0.3 FTE in ongoing years to perform
grant program administration. Standard operating and capital costs are included, and
personal services are prorated in FY 2024-25 for a presumed September 2024 start date.
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July 16, 2024 HB 24-1006
Wildfire mitigation and preparedness grants. After administrative costs in FY 2024-25
and FY 2025-26, $237,038 is available to award as grants to qualifying NGOs. Table 2 shows
total grant expenditures in FY 2024-25, though grants may be awarded over several years.
Centrally appropriated costs. Pursuant to a Joint Budget Committee policy, certain costs
associated with this bill are addressed through the annual budget process and centrally
appropriated in the Long Bill or supplemental appropriations bills, rather than in this bill. These
costs, which include employee insurance and supplemental employee retirement payments, are
shown in Table 2.
Other Budget Impacts
General Fund reserve. Under current law, an amount equal to 15 percent of General Fund
appropriations must be set aside in the General Fund statutory reserve. Based on this fiscal note,
the bill is expected to increase the amount of General Fund held in reserve by the amounts
shown in Table 1, decreasing the amount of General Fund available for other purposes.
Local Government
The bill may increase local government revenue and workload, as local governments may apply
for more grants and secure more grant funding than they would without the assistance of the
CSFS.
Effective Date
The bill was signed into law by the Governor on May 20, 2024, and takes effect on
August 7, 2024, assuming no referendum petition is filed.
State Appropriations
For FY 2024-25, the bill requires and includes a General Fund appropriation of $300,000 to the
Department of Higher Education for use by the Colorado State Forest Service at Colorado State
University, and 0.4 FTE. This appropriation may be spent by the department through FY 2027-28
State and Local Government Contacts
Counties Higher Education Natural Resources
Office of Economic Development
The revenue and expenditure impacts in this fiscal note represent changes from current law under the bill for each
fiscal year. For additional information about fiscal notes, please visit: leg.colorado.gov/fiscalnotes.