HB 25-1283
Fiscal Note
Legislative Council Staff
Nonpartisan Services for Colorado’s Legislature
HB 25-1283: WILD HORSE PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Prime Sponsors:
Rep. Duran
Published for: House Ag., Water & Natural Res.
Drafting number: LLS 25-0281
Fiscal Analyst:
Alexa Kelly, 303-866-3469
alexa.kelly@coleg.gov
Version: Initial Fiscal Note
Date: March 11, 2025
Fiscal note status: This fiscal note reflects the introduced bill.
Summary Information
Overview. The bill authorizes wild horse management duties in the Department of Agriculture and
creates the Wild Horse Advisory Committee.
Types of impacts. The bill is projected to affect the following areas on an ongoing basis:
State Expenditure
Appropriations. The bill requires an appropriation of $555,000 to the Department of Agriculture.
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
March 11, 2025 HB 25-1283
Summary of Legislation
Implementing recommendations from the Wild Horse Working Group, the bill repeals the
state-owned, nonprofit Wild Horse Project in the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA),
and authorizes wild horse management activities directed by the department.
Wild Horse Management and Immunocontraception Program
The bill allows CDA to implement an immunocontraception program for wild horses. To operate
the program, CDA may provide staff and support for immunocontraception to keep wild horse
populations in herd management areas at appropriate management levels. To do this, the
department may:
develop a system for sharing equipment and staff expertise;
develop training programs for horse trainers;
cooperate with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to develop training, holding, or
adoption opportunities;
cooperate with the Department of Corrections to create opportunities for correctional facility
inmates to help CDA with implementation.
The bill allows the department to address federally and non-federally protected wild horses. In
doing so, CDA may engage in the following:
expand efforts to involve nonprofit organizations;
engage individuals and businesses for funding, promotion, and education through horse
sponsorships that use wild horse imagery; and
develop a logo to emotionally and financially connect with potential supporters.
Wild Horse Advisory Committee
Additionally, the bill creates the Wild Horse Advisory Committee to advise the Commissioner of
Agriculture and CDA on issues concerning wild horses beginning July 2026. Members serve
without compensation or reimbursement. The committee is repealed on September 1, 2030,
following a sunset review.
Wild Horse Cash Fund
The bill renames the Wild Horse Project Cash Fund as the Wild Horse Cash Fund and removes its
continuous spending authority. The fund may continue accepting and expending gifts, grants,
and donations. Page 3
March 11, 2025 HB 25-1283
Background
Senate Bill 23-275 created the Wild Horse Management Project in CDA as a nonprofit,
state-owned entity and gave CDA the authority to assist with wild horse populations using
fertility control management methods and support on-range stewardship to ensure the
sustainability of wild horses. The bill transferred $1.5 million from the General Fund to the Wild
Horse Project Cash Fund, which was continuously appropriated to the department. Of this
amount, approximately $555,000 remains. Under current law, the Wild Horse Management
Project and the management authority repeals on December 1, 2025.
State Expenditures
Department of Agriculture
Wild Horse Management and Immunocontraception Program
Under current law, the Wild Horse Management Project and current management authority
repeals on December 1, 2025. The bill extends CDA’s management authority indefinitely,
allowing CDA to continue to cooperate with BLM and other stakeholders to assist in the
management of wild horse populations in Colorado. The CDA will utilize the remaining funds
from the initial state transfer, estimated at $555,000, through the end of FY 2025-26, to continue
its current work to help manage Colorado’s wild horse population and support the advisory
committee. If the department implements the immunocontraception program, as permitted by
the bill, it will require additional funding, which it will seek through the annual budget process in
future years.
Wild Horse Advisory Committee
The bill requires the CDA to support the Wild Horse Advisory Committee, which will result in a
minimal increase in workload and can be accomplished within existing resources.
Other State Agencies
Workload in the Department of Corrections will increase to the extent that the CDA requests
services from its Wild Horse Inmate Program when funding is available.
Workload will increase for agencies that are represented on the advisory committee. No change
in appropriations is required.
Effective Date
The bill takes effect 90 days following adjournment of the General Assembly sine die, assuming
no referendum petition is filed. Page 4
March 11, 2025 HB 25-1283
State Appropriations
For FY 2025-26, the bill requires an appropriation of $555,000 to the Department of Agriculture
from the Wild Horse Fund.
State and Local Government Contacts
Agriculture
Corrections
Forest Service
Governor
Legislative Council Staff
Natural Resources
Office of Economic Development
Regulatory Agencies
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.