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January 11, 2024 HB 24-1024
Legislative Council Staff
Nonpartisan Services for Colorado’s Legislature
Fiscal Note
Drafting Number:
Prime Sponsors:
LLS 24-0427
Rep. Story; Velasco
Sen. Cutter
Date:
Bill Status:
Fiscal Analyst:
January 11, 2024
House Ag., Water & Natural Res.
Colin Gaiser | 303-866-2677
colin.gaiser@coleg.gov
Bill Topic: EXTEND OUTREACH CAMPAIGNS WILDFIRE RISK MITIGATION
Summary of
Fiscal Impact:
☐ State Revenue
☒ State Expenditure
☒ State Transfer
☐ TABOR Refund
☒ Local Government
☐ Institutions of Higher Education
The bill requires the Colorado State Forest Service to continue its enhanced wildfire
awareness outreach campaign through 2027. It increases state and local expenditures
in FY 2024-25.
Appropriation
Summary:
For FY 2024-25, the bill includes an appropriation of $300,000 from the General Fund
to the Healthy Forests and Vibrant Communities Fund for use by the Colorado State
Forest Service.
Fiscal Note
Status:
The fiscal note reflects the introduced bill, which is recommended by the Wildfire
Matters Review Committee.
Table 1
State Fiscal Impacts Under HB 24-1024
Budget Year
FY 2024-25
Out Year
FY 2025-26
Revenue - -
Expenditures Cash Funds $300,000 -
Total Expenditures $300,000 -
Transfers
1
General Fund ($300,000) -
Cash Funds $300,000 -
Net Transfer $0 -
Other Budget Impacts General Fund Reserve $45,000 -
1
The transfers under this bill are made via an appropriation from the General Fund. Page 2
January 11, 2024 HB 24-1024
Summary of Legislation
The bill requires the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) in the Department of Higher Education
to continue its enhanced wildfire awareness outreach campaign through FY 2026-27, as well as
other outreach efforts to increase awareness of wildfire risk mitigation by residents in the
wildland-urban interface. The bill extends the requirement that the state forester report annually
on outreach efforts to the General Assembly. Finally, the bill requires that the General Assembly
appropriate $300,000 in FY 2024-25 to the Healthy Forests and Vibrant Communities Fund for
ongoing wildfire awareness campaigns and outreach efforts.
Background
Senate Bill 22-007 required the CSFS to convene a working group and implement an enhanced
wildfire awareness month outreach campaign in 2023 and 2024. It transferred $800,000 from the
General Fund to the Healthy Forests and Vibrant Communities Fund to implement the
campaign.
State Transfers
For FY 2024-25, the bill transfers $300,000 from the General Fund to the Healthy Forests and
Vibrant Communities Fund. This transfer occurs via an appropriation included in the bill. It is
assumed any future transfers will also be made via appropriations from the General Fund.
State Expenditures
The bill increases state expenditures by $300,000 in FY 2024-25, paid from the Healthy Forests
and Vibrant Communities Fund. The CSFS will use the appropriated funds over the next three
fiscal years for the outreach campaign and distribution of outreach materials, including printing
costs, event fees, travel, and website maintenance. The CSFS will also hire hourly student interns
to assist in the wildfire awareness month campaign.
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
Local governments and special entities that participate in the outreach campaign or
dissemination of outreach materials may have increased workloads and costs. Page 3
January 11, 2024 HB 24-1024
Effective Date
The bill takes effect upon signature of the Governor, or upon becoming law without his
signature.
State Appropriations
For FY 2024-25, the bill includes a General Fund appropriation of $300,000 to the Healthy
Forests and Vibrant Communities Fund.
State and Local Government Contacts
Counties Forest Service Natural Resources
Public Safety
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.