HB 25-1258
Fiscal Note
Legislative Council Staff
Nonpartisan Services for Colorado’s Legislature
HB 25-1258: SCIENTIFIC WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
Prime Sponsors:
Rep. Story; Velasco
Published for: House Ag,. Water Nat. Resources
Drafting number: LLS 25-0625
Fiscal Analyst:
Alexa Kelly, 303-866-3469
alexa.kelly@coleg.gov
Version: Initial Fiscal Note
Date: February 24, 2025
Fiscal note status: This fiscal note reflects the introduced bill.
Summary Information
Overview. The bill requires the Parks and Wildlife Commission to utilize the best available wildlife and
ecological science to adopt wildlife management rules.
Types of impacts. The bill is projected to affect the following areas on an ongoing basis:
Minimal State Revenue Minimal State Workload
Appropriations. No appropriation is required.
Table 1
State Fiscal Impacts
Type of Impact
Budget Year
FY 2025-26
Out Year
FY 2026-27
State Revenue $0 $0
State Expenditures $0 $0
Transferred Funds $0 $0
Change in TABOR Refunds $0 $0
Change in State FTE 0.0 FTE 0.0 FTE
Page 2
February 24, 2025 HB 25-1258
Summary of Legislation
The bill requires the Parks and Wildlife Commission to apply the best available wildlife and
ecological science to adopt rules concerning wildlife management. The bill also amends the
legislative declaration for Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to clarify that the state may
authorize hunting, trapping, and fishing based on best available science to benefit wildlife,
whole ecosystem health, and all Coloradans.
Background
The Parks and Wildlife Commission is a citizen board, appointed by the Governor, which creates
regulations and policies for Colorado’s state parks and wildlife programs. Members of the
commission include sportspersons, agricultural producers, recreationalists, and at-large
members. At least four of the 11 members must be from west of the Continental Divide. The
commission provides general guidance to CPW, which is responsible for the implementation of
any policies set by the commission.
State Revenue and Expenditures
CPW, in the Department of Natural Resources, may see a minimal increase in workload to
incorporate best available science into rulemaking procedures. If CPW makes a change to
hunting, trapping, or fishing license regulations as a result of the bill’s requirements, then a
change in revenue would occur. The exact amount of revenue change depends on changes in
future license availability and has not been estimated in this analysis.
Effective Date
The bill takes effect 90 days following adjournment of the General Assembly sine die, assuming
no referendum petition is filed.
State and Local Government Contacts
Natural Resources Law
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 the General Assembly website.