First Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED
LLS NO. 25-1047.01 Jennifer Berman x3286
HOUSE BILL 25-1332
House Committees Senate Committees
Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING THE CREATION OF A WORK GROUP TO STUDY THE USES101
OF STATE TRUST LANDS.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
.)
The state board of land commissioners (state board) serves as the
trustee for lands granted to the state in public trust for the support of
public schools (state trust lands). The state board is responsible for the
management and protection of the state trust lands, including by
protecting and enhancing the natural features, open space, and wildlife
habitat of the state trust lands.
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
McCormick,
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Roberts and Wallace,
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. The bill requires the executive director of the department of
natural resources (department) to convene a state trust lands conservation
and recreation work group (work group) to study opportunities to advance
conservation and recreation activities on state trust lands as part of the
state board's long-term stewardship of the state trust lands while
maintaining the state board's fiduciary responsibilities regarding its
management of the state trust lands. On or before July 1, 2026, the work
group is required to make recommendations to the state board, the
governor, the general assembly, and the executive director of the
department based on the study.
On or before December 15, 2026, the state board is required to
take into consideration the work group's recommendations and adopt an
administrative policy or rules to establish a process and policy regarding
the state board's implementation of conservation leases while balancing
such conservation efforts with the requirement to generate revenue from
the state trust lands.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly2
finds and declares that:3
(a) The state board of land commissioners serves as the trustee of4
lands granted to the state in public trust by the federal government, lands5
acquired in lieu thereof, and additional lands held by the state board in6
public trust, which lands are commonly referred to as "state trust lands";7
(b) The state board of land commissioners manages 2.8 million8
surface acres and 4 million subsurface acres, making it the second largest9
landowner in the state behind the federal government;10
(c) As trustee of the state trust lands, the state board of land11
commissioners' management of state trust lands provides vital funding for12
public schools, and in state fiscal year 2023-24, the lands generated13
$229,021,719 for the school trust and $1,629,374 for other public14
institutions;15
(d) Under federal law and under section 10 of article IX of the16
HB25-1332-2- state constitution, state trust lands shall be managed exclusively for the1
benefit of the designated beneficiaries of the trusts;2
(e) Conservation and outdoor recreation may be identified as a3
form of benefit to the trust beneficiaries;4
(f) Contributions to reducing emissions and addressing climate5
change through the development of transmission and renewable energy6
generation on state trust lands are a form of benefit to the trust7
beneficiaries;8
(g) Housing for teachers, educators, school employees, and9
families with children is a form of benefit to the trust beneficiaries;10
(h) In 1959, the state legislature assigned existing and future11
revenue from lands in the internal improvements and saline trusts to the12
development and maintenance of state parks, which trusts currently hold13
58,423 acres of surface land, of which 8,817 acres are currently managed14
as part of existing state parks;15
(i) Agricultural leases on state trust lands contribute to and help16
to preserve Colorado's working landscapes while providing economic17
benefit to the trust beneficiaries;18
(j) The vast majority of revenue generated from state trust lands19
comes from extractive industries, such as oil and gas development. For20
example, in state fiscal year 2023-24, more than 80% of trust revenues,21
equaling $191,256,088, was derived from revenue generated from22
extractive mineral leases.23
(k) In 1996, the registered voters of this state approved24
amendments to sections 3, 9, and 10 of article IX of the state constitution25
to make changes to the state board of land commissioners' composition26
and mandate. Among other matters, the amendments to section 10 of27
HB25-1332
-3- article IX did the following:1
(I) Clarified the state board's authority to manage and promote the2
long-term yields of state trust lands by changing the state board's mandate3
to "produc[ing] reasonable and consistent income over time";4
(II) Articulated a vision for the state board's management of all5
state trust lands, stating that "the economic productivity of all lands held6
in public trust is dependent on sound stewardship, including protecting7
and enhancing the beauty, natural values, open space[,] and wildlife8
habitat thereof, for this and future generations";9
(III) To fulfill in part the direction to "protect and enhance the10
long-term productivity and sound stewardship" of all state trust lands,11
directed the state board to, among other activities:12
(A) Establish and maintain "a long-term stewardship trust of up13
to 300,000 acres of land";14
(B) Manage the development and utilization of natural resources15
"in a manner which will conserve the long-term value of such resources,16
as well as existing and future uses"; and17
(C) Sell or lease "conservation easements, licenses[,] and other18
similar interests in land";19
(l) The state board of land commissioners maintains a special20
management overlay, known as the "long-term stewardship trust" or21
"stewardship trust", which currently includes approximately 296,00022
acres;23
(m) Stewardship trust parcels are managed as working lands with24
special care taken regarding the concerns depicted in the amended article25
IX of the state constitution and, as such, are leased for agriculture,26
mining, oil and gas development, ecosystem services, public access, and27
HB25-1332
-4- other uses and are held for future disposition;1
(n) The constitutional stewardship trust provision anticipates the2
state board of land commissioners' continuing existing and nonconflicting3
uses of state trust lands while also managing the lands to improve and4
protect their natural values. The state board may consider whether a5
proposed use is in conflict with the state board's stewardship trust6
obligations.7
(o) It is the intent of the general assembly that uses, including8
those by the division of parks and wildlife, the Colorado natural areas9
program, the Colorado state forest service, ecosystem services,10
conservation, and agriculture, should be deemed compatible with the state11
board of land commissioners' duty to permit only those uses on12
stewardship trust parcels that protect and enhance the beauty, natural13
values, open space, and wildlife habitat of the trust parcels;14
(p) The state board of land commissioners, in fulfilling its15
stewardship responsibilities for the benefit of the trust beneficiaries,16
contributes to the preservation, protection, and enhancement of17
Colorado's land and waterways through ecosystem services leasing;18
coordination with the Colorado natural areas program; stewardship lease19
reviews and lease stipulations; asset management plans; stewardship20
action plans for important target plants, animals, and ecosystems;21
biodiversity projects; adaptive grazing; and other tools and programs;22
(q) These efforts align with the stewardship goals of the state23
board of land commissioners' strategic plan of protecting and enhancing24
the long-term economic value of the trust's physical assets by increasing25
the resiliency of state trust lands and other real property assets in the face26
of extreme weather events and climate change;27
HB25-1332
-5- (r) These efforts further the climate-resilient conservation and1
restoration goals of Colorado's outdoors strategy by helping wildlife and2
landscapes thrive amidst climate change, increasing visitation, and other3
stressors; ensuring habitats are resilient and connected; and providing4
community benefits from healthy ecosystems and agricultural land;5
(s) The state board of land commissioners' management of the6
state trust lands for the intergenerational economic benefit of the trust7
beneficiaries contributes to the protection of historic, geologic, and8
cultural resources in its property management and through archeological9
and ethnographic research;10
(t) State trust lands adjacent to and inholdings of federal, state,11
local government, and private lands with conservation protections,12
including national parks, federal wildlife areas, state parks, and open13
space, merit additional study to investigate their conservation and14
connectivity values to surrounding lands and the resulting economic15
benefit to the beneficiaries of the trusts;16
(u) Under current administrative practices, state trust lands are not17
open to public access unless the state board of land commissioners gives18
written authorization for such access;19
(v) Approximately 500,000 acres of state trust lands are leased to20
private individuals for private recreation, and each lessee controls the21
recreational opportunities pursuant to the terms of their lease;22
(w) In recent years, the state board of land commissioners, in23
coordination with the division of parks and wildlife, local parks, and24
recreation and open space departments, has helped meet growing25
demands for public recreation use through a multiple-use management26
policy that maintains other leases for mineral development, agriculture,27
HB25-1332
-6- and renewable energy development on the same lands;1
(x) Through this model, the state board of land commissioners2
leases approximately one million acres of state trust lands to the division3
of parks and wildlife for hunter and angler access, and many such lands4
are also leased for other uses such as agriculture;5
(y) The division of parks and wildlife pays the state board of land6
commissioners to lease those lands for public access, largely through7
revenue from hunting and fishing licenses; and8
(z) Despite the state's renowned beauty and range of outdoor9
activities and natural landscapes, many Coloradans, including10
disproportionately impacted communities, face obstacles to accessing11
nature.12
(2) The general assembly further finds and declares that:13
(a) Section 10 of article IX of the state constitution, which was14
amended by the registered electors of this state at the 1996 general15
election, articulated a new vision for the state board of land16
commissioners' management of all state trust lands by aligning the work17
of the state board to accomplish a mission to produce reasonable and18
consistent income over time and to provide sound stewardship of the state19
trust assets;20
(b) In the nearly 30 years since the passage of the amendment to21
section 10 of article IX of the state constitution, the state board of land22
commissioners has made important strides toward utilizing the23
stewardship mechanisms directed by the voters, including establishing the24
stewardship trust and piloting an innovative ecosystem leasing program;25
(c) As the state approaches its 150th anniversary on August 1,26
2026, there are opportunities to further implement the intent of section 1027
HB25-1332
-7- of article IX of the state constitution by continuing to diversify revenue1
streams to the benefit of the trust beneficiaries, both through revenue and2
in-kind, in a way that protects Colorado's great outdoors, wildlife, and3
recreational opportunities, which are among the state's most treasured4
resources, thus enhancing Coloradans' quality of life, bringing prosperity5
to the state and its residents, and representing the fabric of the state;6
(d) It is within the legislative prerogative of the general assembly7
to enact legislation that will further facilitate and implement the operation8
of section 10 of article IX of the state constitution;9
(e) In interpreting the provisions of section 10 of article IX of the10
state constitution, the general assembly has attempted to give the words11
of the constitutional provision their natural and obvious meaning;12
(f) Where the meaning of section 10 of article IX of the state13
constitution is uncertain, the general assembly has attempted to ascertain14
the intent of those who adopted the measure and, when appropriate, the15
intent of the proponents, as well as to apply other generally accepted rules16
of construction;17
(g) The content of this legislation represents the considered18
judgment of the general assembly as to the meaning of the provisions of19
section 10 of article IX of the state constitution as it relates to the state20
board of land commissioners' management approach;21
(h) While it is the intent of the general assembly that this22
legislation should not impact the terms of existing leases, long-range23
planning is prudent to further economic productivity through managing24
the natural resources of the state trust lands to conserve the long-term25
value of such resources;26
(i) Consistent with amendments to section 10 of article IX of the27
HB25-1332
-8- state constitution, the state board of land commissioners' trust obligation1
is intergenerational, and, as the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals held in2
Branson School District Re-82 v. Romer, 161 F.3d 619, 638 (10th Cir.3
1998), "a long-range vision of how best to preserve the value and4
productivity of the trust assets may very well include attention to5
preserving the beauty and natural values" of all state trust lands;6
(j) It is reasonable to encourage the state board of land7
commissioners, in exercising the state board's discretion to determine the8
best interests of its beneficiaries, to pursue additional revenue-generating,9
non-revenue-generating, and in-kind contributions, including10
conservation and recreational opportunities, renewable energy siting and11
energy transmission, housing, and broadband infrastructure;12
(k) Furthermore, the state board of land commissioners should13
explore opportunities to expand sustainably managed public access to14
state trust lands, including for communities that face systemic barriers to15
accessing nature, renewable energy siting and energy transmission, and16
housing, while:17
(I) Protecting natural and conservation values;18
(II) Maintaining the state board's fiduciary duties; and19
(III) Respecting the rights of existing lessees;20
(l) Efforts to expand access to state trust lands could further the21
goals of Colorado's outdoors strategy to provide exceptional and22
sustainable recreation, including the goals to:23
(I) Make high-quality outdoor recreation experiences accessible,24
equitable, and inclusive; and25
(II) Ensure that management and stewardship of recreational26
opportunities provide benefits and minimize impacts for people,27
HB25-1332
-9- landscapes, wildlife, and local communities;1
(m) The state board of land commissioners can meet its2
constitutional mandates to provide reasonable and consistent revenue to3
trust beneficiaries and to preserve the future economic potential of the4
treasured underlying asset base by both protecting and enhancing the5
natural values of state trust lands and providing high-quality, sustainable,6
and equitable public recreational access, renewable energy and energy7
transmission siting, and housing, where appropriate; and8
(n) Any costs associated with this act do not require a general9
fund appropriation; rather, money from the state board of land10
commissioners investment and development fund created in section11
36-1-153 (1), Colorado Revised Statutes, other state trust land revenues,12
or other available funding should be used to effectuate this act.13
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 36-1-100.3, amend14
the introductory portion; and add (1.5), (1.7), (2.4), (2.5), (2.6), (2.7),15
(5.5), and (8) as follows:16
36-1-100.3. Definitions. As used in this article ARTICLE 1, unless17
the context otherwise requires:18
(1.5) "D
EPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL19
RESOURCES CREATED IN SECTION 24-33-101 (1).20
(1.7) "D
IVISION OF PARKS AND WILDLIFE" MEANS THE DIVISION OF21
PARKS AND WILDLIFE CREATED IN SECTION 33-9-104 (1).22
(2.4) "L
ONG-TERM BENEFITS AND RETURNS TO THE STATE" MEANS:23
(a) B
ENEFITTING FUTURE GENERATIONS IN RECOGNITION OF THE24
PERPETUAL, INTERGENERATIONAL PUBLIC TRUST OBLIGATIONS ;25
(b) P
ROTECTING THE UNDERLYING NATURAL RESOURCE BASE AND26
ASSET VALUE TO ENSURE RETURNS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF27
HB25-1332
-10- BENEFICIARIES AND ACHIEVE INTERGENERATIONAL EQUITY ; AND1
(c) U
TILIZING SOUND STEWARDSHIP TO MAINTAIN LONG -TERM2
VALUE OVER SHORT-TERM REVENUE GAINS.3
(2.5) "L
ONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY " MEANS SUSTAINABLE4
ECONOMIC POTENTIAL, PRODUCTIVITY, AND VALUE OF STATE TRUST5
LANDS.6
(2.6) "L
ONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP TRUST " OR "STEWARDSHIP7
TRUST" MEANS THE LONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP TRUST ESTABLISHED BY8
THE STATE BOARD OF LAND COMMISSIONERS PURSUANT TO SECTION 109
(1)(b)(I)
OF ARTICLE IX OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION AND SECTION10
36-1-107.5
(1).11
(2.7) "L
ONG-TERM VALUE" MEANS THE ABILITY TO PRESERVE A12
NATURAL BENEFIT FOR A FUTURE ECONOMIC USE OR PRODUCTIVITY , EVEN13
IF THE NATURAL BENEFIT IS NOT CURRENTLY IN USE OR BEING MONETIZED14
OR IF THE LIKELIHOOD OF FUTURE USE OR MONETIZATION IS UNKNOWN .15
(5.5) "S
OUND STEWARDSHIP" MEANS THE USE OF NATURAL16
RESOURCES ON STATE TRUST LANDS IN A MANNER THAT WILL PROTECT THE17
LONG-TERM ECONOMIC VALUE AND LONG -TERM PRODUCTIVITY OF THE18
STATE TRUST LANDS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF BENEFICIARIES .19
(8) "W
ORK GROUP" MEANS THE STATE TRUST LANDS20
CONSERVATION AND RECREATION WORK GROUP CONVENED PURSUANT TO21
SECTION 36-1-152.3.22
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 36-1-152.3,23
36-1-152.5, and 36-1-152.7 as follows:24
36-1-152.3. State trust lands conservation and recreation work25
group - creation - membership - study - interim report. (1) T
HE26
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONVENE A STATE27
HB25-1332
-11- TRUST LANDS CONSERVATION AND RECREATION WORK GROUP TO1
CONDUCT A STUDY TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCE2
CONSERVATION; CLIMATE RESILIENCE; BIODIVERSITY; AND SUSTAINABLE,3
EQUITABLE, AND LOW-CONFLICT RECREATION ON STATE TRUST LANDS IN4
ACCORDANCE WITH COLORADO'S OUTDOORS STRATEGY STEWARDED BY5
THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND WILDLIFE. THE WORK GROUP SHALL CONDUCT6
THE STUDY IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE STATE BOARD OF LAND7
COMMISSIONERS' FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY TO PRODUCE REASONABLE8
AND CONSISTENT REVENUE FOR TRUST BENEFICIARIES .9
(2) (a) T
HE WORK GROUP SHALL:10
(I) M
EET AS OFTEN AS NECESSARY, BUT NO FEWER THAN FOUR11
TIMES, TO EVALUATE THE STATE TRUST LANDS AND THE OPPORTUNITIES12
FOR RECREATION AND CONSERVATION ;13
(II) M
AKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2026, TO14
THE GOVERNOR, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE STATE BOARD OF LAND15
COMMISSIONERS, AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT ;16
(III) B
E ASSISTED BY A PROFESSIONAL FACILITATOR;17
(IV) H
OLD ITS FIRST MEETING NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 1,18
2025;19
(V) E
NGAGE SPECIALISTS OR SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS AS20
NEEDED, INCLUDING EXPERTS ON THE ECONOMY , LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY,21
AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE; AND22
(VI) M
AKE ALL REASONABLE EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE FISCAL23
IMPACT OF THE WORK GROUP , INCLUDING BY ALLOWING REMOTE24
PARTICIPATION.25
(b) O
N OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 28, 2026, THE WORK GROUP SHALL26
PROVIDE AN INTERIM REPORT TO THE PARTIES LISTED IN SUBSECTION27
HB25-1332
-12- (2)(a)(II) OF THIS SECTION, WHICH INTERIM REPORT INCLUDES , AT A1
MINIMUM, INFORMATION ON POTENTIAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE2
LONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP TRUST AND THE INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS AND3
SALINE TRUSTS.4
(c) T
HE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT SHALL5
APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE WORK GROUP PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (3) OF6
THIS SECTION ON OR BEFORE JUNE 15, 2025. IN CONDUCTING THE STUDY,7
THE WORK GROUP SHALL SOLICIT PUBLIC INPUT , INCLUDING INPUT8
REGARDING THE IDENTIFICATION OF PARTICULAR PROPERTIES TO CONSIDER9
AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS TO INCLUDE IN THE STUDY .10
(3) (a) T
HE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT SHALL11
SELECT VOTING MEMBERS OF THE WORK GROUP , WHICH VOTING MEMBERS12
MAY INCLUDE ONE OR MORE MEMBERS :13
(I) W
ITH EXPERTISE IN AGRICULTURE AND RANCHING ;14
(II) W
ITH EXPERTISE IN RECREATIONAL USES OF STATE TRUST15
LANDS AND PUBLIC LANDS, INCLUDING EXPERTISE RELATED TO OUTDOOR16
EQUITY;17
(III) W
ITH EXPERTISE IN LAND CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP ;18
(IV) W
ITH EXPERTISE IN WILDLIFE AND HABITAT CONSERVATION ;19
(V) W
HO REPRESENT A REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE ;20
(VI) W
HO REPRESENT BENEFICIARIES AND LESSEES OF STATE21
TRUST LANDS;22
(VII) W
ITH RELEVANT LEGAL OR ECONOMIC EXPERTISE ,23
INCLUDING KNOWLEDGE OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION , FIDUCIARY DUTIES,24
AND STATUTES GOVERNING THE ISSUES THAT THE WORK GROUP STUDIES ;25
(VIII) W
HO ARE TRIBAL MEMBERS FROM THE UTE MOUNTAIN UTE26
T
RIBE;27
HB25-1332
-13- (IX) WHO ARE TRIBAL MEMBERS FROM THE SOUTHERN UTE1
I
NDIAN TRIBE;2
(X) W
HO ARE TRIBAL MEMBERS OF A TRIBE WITH HISTORIC TIES TO3
EASTERN COLORADO; AND4
(XI) W
ITH RELEVANT EXPERIENCE , AS DETERMINED BY THE5
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT .6
(b) T
HE NONVOTING MEMBERS OF THE WORK GROUP ARE :7
(I) T
HE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION OR THE COMMISSIONER 'S8
DESIGNEE;9
(II) T
HE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND WILDLIFE OR10
THE DIRECTOR'S DESIGNEE;11
(III) T
HE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE BOARD OF LAND12
COMMISSIONERS OR THE DIRECTOR 'S DESIGNEE;13
(IV) T
HE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OR THE14
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S DESIGNEE; AND15
(V) T
HE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE OR THE COMMISSIONER 'S16
DESIGNEE.17
36-1-152.5. Work group study - requirements. (1) (a) A
S PART18
OF THE STUDY CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 36-1-152.3 (1), THE19
STATE TRUST LANDS CONSERVATION AND RECREATION WORK GROUP20
SHALL PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PARTIES IDENTIFIED IN21
SECTION 36-1-152.3 (2)(a)(II) REGARDING HOW TO BETTER IMPLEMENT22
THE MANDATE OF SECTION 10 OF ARTICLE IX OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION,23
INCLUDING RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO :24
(I) F
URTHER THE LONG -TERM PRODUCTIVITY AND SOUND25
STEWARDSHIP OF ALL STATE TRUST LANDS , NOT ONLY THOSE IN THE26
LONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP TRUST;27
HB25-1332
-14- (II) PRESERVE AND ENHANCE THE BEAUTY , NATURAL VALUES,1
OPEN SPACE, AND WILDLIFE OF THE STATE FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE2
GENERATIONS;3
(III) P
ROMOTE LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY FOR AGRICULTURE ;4
(IV) P
ROVIDE FOR SUSTAINABLE, EQUITABLE, AND LOW-CONFLICT5
RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ON STATE TRUST LANDS ; AND6
(V) M
ANAGE THE UTILIZATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES ON STATE7
TRUST LANDS TO CONSERVE THE LONG -TERM VALUE, INCLUDING THE8
OPTION VALUE, WHICH REPRESENTS THE WILLINGNESS TO PAY TO9
GUARANTEE THE CONTINUED AVAILABILITY OF A RESOURCE FOR10
POTENTIAL FUTURE USE, OF THE STATE TRUST LANDS WHILE THE STATE11
BOARD OF LAND COMMISSIONERS CARRIES OUT ITS FIDUCIARY DUTIES .12
(b) T
HE WORK GROUP'S RECOMMENDATIONS SHALL NOT BE13
CONSTRUED TO ALTER OR IMPAIR THE VALIDITY OF ANY EXISTING LEASES14
ON STATE TRUST LANDS.15
(2) T
HE WORK GROUP'S STUDY MUST INCLUDE, AT A MINIMUM:16
(a) S
OLICITING REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVES AND COUNTIES17
TO IDENTIFY STATE TRUST LAND PARCELS THAT HOLD UNIQUE18
OPPORTUNITIES FOR REGIONAL RECREATION , CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES,19
AND AGRICULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES ;20
(b) A
REVIEW OF STATE TRUST LAND PARCELS FOR OPPORTUNITIES21
TO ADVANCE CONSERVATION , CLIMATE RESILIENCY , OR HABITAT22
CONNECTIVITY, INCLUDING CONSERVATION OR AGRICULTURAL LEASES OR23
PERMANENT PROTECTION , INCLUDING THROUGH SALES AND INTERTRUST24
SWAPS;25
(c) I
DENTIFICATION OF PRIORITY PARCELS, WHICH IDENTIFICATION26
MAY INCLUDE RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO WHETHER AND HOW LONG -TERM27
HB25-1332
-15- DISPOSITION OF PRIORITY PARCELS SHOULD OCCUR , INCLUDING LEASE,1
EASEMENT, OR FEE TITLE ACQUISITION FOR CONSERVATION PURPOSES2
SUCH AS HABITAT RESTORATION OR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES .3
I
DENTIFICATION OF PRIORITY PARCELS MUST INCLUDE CONSIDERATION OF :4
(I) S
TATE PARK AND STATE WILDLIFE AREA CREATION OR5
EXPANSION, INCLUDING THROUGH THE USE OF THE INTERNAL6
IMPROVEMENTS AND SALINE TRUSTS ;7
(II) F
UTURE LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS FOR PARKS8
AND WILDLIFE AREAS CURRENTLY LEASED OR UTILIZED BY THE DIVISION9
OF PARKS AND WILDLIFE, INCLUDING LONE MESA STATE PARK AND10
Q
UEENS STATE WILDLIFE AREA;11
(III) C
URRENT AND FUTURE PUBLIC USE BY SCHOOLCHILDREN FOR12
OUTDOOR RECREATION AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ; AND13
(IV) H
IGH-VALUE LANDS USED TO IMPROVE CLIMATE -RESILIENT14
CONSERVATION AND RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES , INCLUDING THOSE15
LANDS WITH:16
(A) I
MPORTANT HABITAT FOR SPECIES OF GREATEST17
CONSERVATION NEEDS;18
(B) H
IGH-PRIORITY HABITATS, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 34-60-13219
(1)(n),
IDENTIFIED BY THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND WILDLIFE;20
(C) W
ETLANDS AND RIPARIAN AREAS; AND21
(D) H
ABITAT CONNECTIVITY;22
(d) R
ECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING ACTIONS TO ADVANCE23
CONSERVATION AND RECREATION ON STATE TRUST LANDS BASED IN PART24
ON AN ANALYSIS OF CONSERVATION MEASURES AND PUBLIC RECREATION25
ACCESS AND MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS ON STATE TRUST LANDS IN OTHER26
STATES, INCLUDING:27
HB25-1332
-16- (I) AN EVALUATION OF THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES1
ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLIC RECREATIONAL ACCESS ON STATE TRUST L ANDS ,2
INCLUDING WAYS TO REDUCE CONFLICTS WITH AND IMPACTS TO EXISTING3
LESSEES AND CONSIDERATION OF LESSONS FROM OTHER STATES4
REGARDING MANAGEMENT OF RECREATION ON STATE TRUST LANDS ;5
(II) O
PPORTUNITIES FOR THE STATE BOARD OF LAND6
COMMISSIONERS TO UTILIZE NONPERPETUAL CONSERVATION LEASES IN7
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 10 OF ARTICLE IX OF THE STATE8
CONSTITUTION; AND9
(III) M
ETHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE TOOLS DESCRIBED IN10
SUBSECTION (2)(d)(II) OF THIS SECTION, INCLUDING VALUATION OF11
CONSERVATION LEASING OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSIDERATION OF12
LONG-TERM VALUE;13
(e) C
ONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL NET REVENUE CHANGES OR14
MANAGEMENT CHANGES WHEN IDENTIFYING STATE TRUST LAND PARCELS15
FOR EXAMINATION;16
(f) C
ONSIDERATION OF THE INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS AND SALINE17
TRUSTS, INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE18
OF THE INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS AND SALINE TRUSTS TO ENSURE19
MAXIMUM PUBLIC BENEFIT FOR ADVANCEMENT OF THE DIVISION OF PARKS20
AND WILDLIFE'S MISSION, INCLUDING CONSIDERATION OF:21
(I) O
UTDOOR RECREATION AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ; AND22
(II) T
RANSFERRING TITLE OF LAND WITHIN THE INTERNAL23
IMPROVEMENTS AND SALINE TRUSTS TO THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND24
WILDLIFE;25
(g) A
N ASSESSMENT OF OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTINUE AND EXPAND26
UPON SOUND STEWARDSHIP AND LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES27
HB25-1332
-17- THROUGH AGRICULTURAL LEASES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCE1
LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT FOR AGRICULTURAL LEASES ON STATE TRUST2
LAND PARCELS, INCLUDING THOSE PARCELS IN THE LONG -TERM3
STEWARDSHIP TRUST;4
(h) A
N ASSESSMENT OF STATE TRUST LAND PARCELS IN THE5
LONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP TRUST , WHICH ASSESSMENT INCLUDES THE6
IDENTIFICATION OF STEWARDSHIP TRUST PROPERTIES WITH EXISTING USES7
OR LONG-TERM IMPACTS THAT ARE INCOMPATIBLE WITH PRIMARILY8
PROTECTING AND ENHANCING BEAUTY , NATURAL VALUES, OPEN SPACE,9
AND WILDLIFE HABITAT. SOME LEASES MAY BE PRESUMED COMPATIBLE ,10
SUCH AS COLORADO NATURAL AREAS PROGRAM LEASES , THE DIVISION OF11
PARKS AND WILDLIFE LEASES , CONSERVATION LEASES , ECOSYSTEM12
SERVICES LEASES, AND AGRICULTURAL LEASES.13
(i) R
ECOMMENDATIONS TO :14
(I) E
VALUATE LONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP TRUST PROPERTIES OR15
PORTIONS OF STEWARDSHIP TRUST PROPERTIES IN WHICH THE EXISTING16
USE OR USES CREATE LONG-TERM IMPACTS THAT ARE INCOMPATIBLE WITH17
PRIMARILY PROTECTING AND ENHANCING BEAUTY , NATURAL VALUES,18
OPEN SPACE, AND WILDLIFE HABITAT; AND19
(II) D
EVELOP A PROPOSED PROCESS TO TIMELY ADDRESS ANY20
INCOMPATIBILITY, INCLUDING BY THE REMOVAL AND NOMINATION OF21
OTHER STATE TRUST LAND PROPERTIES AS REPLACEMENT PARCELS WITH22
QUALIFYING VALUES AND EQUIVALENT ACREAGE ;23
(j) E
VALUATION AND REPORTING ON THE LONG -TERM VALUE,24
INCLUDING THE OPTION VALUE , OF LONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP TRUST25
ASSETS;26
(k) R
ECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING RIGOROUS REVIEW27
HB25-1332
-18- STANDARDS OF FUTURE LEASES OF STEWARDSHIP TRUST PARCELS TO1
BETTER PRESERVE LONG-TERM BENEFITS AND RETURNS TO THE STATE ,2
INCLUDING REQUIREMENTS TO EVALUATE THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND3
WILDLIFE'S HIGH-PRIORITY HABITATS, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 34-60-1324
(1)(n);
HABITAT CONNECTIVITY; WETLAND AND RIPARIAN RESOURCES ; THE5
PRESENCE OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ; EXISTING LAND STEWARDSHIP6
PRACTICES; RARE PLANTS AND PLANT COMMUNITIES; IMPORTANT WILDLIFE7
SPECIES; CULTURAL RESOURCES; PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES ; AND8
GEOLOGIC RESOURCES; AND9
(l) R
ECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO IMPROVE PUBLIC E NGAGEMENT10
OF APPROPRIATE STAKEHOLDERS , INCLUDING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ,11
STATE AGENCIES, FEDERAL AGENCIES, AND TRIBAL NATIONS, IN THE12
CONSULTATION AND NOTIFICATION PROCESS USED FOR NEW LEASES OR13
USES OF LONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP TRUST PARCELS .14
(3) O
N OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2025, THE STATE BOARD OF LAND15
COMMISSIONERS SHALL:16
(a) R
EVIEW ALL EXISTING LEASES ON LONG -TERM STEWARDSHIP17
TRUST PARCELS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE LANDS ARE MANAGED18
PRIMARILY TO PRESERVE LONG -TERM RETURNS AND BENEFITS TO THE19
STATE, INCLUDING TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE LANDS ' BEAUTY,20
NATURAL VALUES, OPEN SPACE, AND WILDLIFE HABITAT AND PROVIDE A21
REPORT OF THE SAME MATTERS TO THE WORK GROUP ;22
(b) R
EVIEW AND UPDATE , IF NECESSARY, ALL EXISTING23
STEWARDSHIP TRUST MANAGEMENT PLANS OR OTHER APPLICABLE PLANS24
TO ACHIEVE CONSERVATION PURPOSES AND REQUIRE CORRECTIVE25
MANAGEMENT ACTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXISTING26
STEWARDSHIP TRUST POLICY AND LEASE TERMS AND PROVIDE A DETAILED27
HB25-1332
-19- SUMMARY TO THE WORK GROUP OF THE REVIEW AND ANY RESULTING1
ACTIONS;2
(c) P
ROVIDE TO THE WORK GROUP , TO THE EXTENT THE3
INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE, A REPORT REGARDING ALL OCCASIONS SINCE4
1996
IN WHICH A LEASE PROPOSED FOR A STEWARDSHIP TRUST PARCEL5
WAS DENIED AS INCOMPATIBLE WITH PRIMARILY PROTECTING AND6
ENHANCING BEAUTY , OPEN SPACE, NATURAL VALUES, AND WILDLIFE7
HABITAT;8
(d) P
ROVIDE TO THE WORK GROUP , TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE,9
DOCUMENTATION OF LEASE STIPULATIONS THAT HIGHLIGHT MEASURES TO10
PROTECT AND ENHANCE BEAUTY , OPEN SPACE, NATURAL VALUES, AND11
WILDLIFE HABITAT WHEN LEASING STEWARDSHIP TRUST LANDS ; AND12
(e) P
ROVIDE TO THE WORK GROUP AN ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC13
RECREATIONAL ACCESS AND MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS ON STATE TRUST14
LANDS IN OTHER STATES, INCLUDING HUNTING, FISHING, WATER ACCESS15
SITES, MOTORIZED AND NONMOTORIZED TRAILS , CAMPING, AND WILDLIFE16
VIEWING.17
36-1-152.7. State board consideration of work group18
recommendations - conservation lease policies - rules. (1) O
N OR19
BEFORE DECEMBER 15, 2026, THE STATE BOARD OF LAND COMMISSIONERS20
SHALL CONSIDER THE WORK GROUP 'S RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE STUDY21
CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 36-1-152.3 AND ADOPT AN22
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY OR RULES TO ESTABLISH , AT A MINIMUM:23
(a) A
PROCESS GOVERNING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF24
CONSERVATION LEASES AND RELATED INSTRUMENTS ON STATE TRUST25
LANDS, INCLUDING A FRAMEWORK FOR THE STRUCTURE , PRICING, AND26
DURATION OF SUCH INSTRUMENTS ;27
HB25-1332
-20- (b) A SPECIFIC PROCESS TO SUBSTANTIATE HOW THE STATE BOARD1
BALANCES REVENUE GENERATION WITH CONSERVING THE LONG -TERM2
VALUE OF STATE TRUST LANDS; AND3
(c) A
NY OTHER POLICIES OR RULES THE STATE BOARD , IN ITS4
DISCRETION, DEEMS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT SECTION 10 OF ARTICLE IX5
OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION.6
SECTION 4. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,7
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate8
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for9
the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state10
institutions.11
HB25-1332
-21-