Colorado 2025 Regular Session

Colorado House Bill HB1332 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	First Regular Session
2	2	Seventy-fifth General Assembly
3	3	STATE OF COLORADO
4	4	INTRODUCED
5	5
6	6
7	7	LLS NO. 25-1047.01 Jennifer Berman x3286
8	8	HOUSE BILL 25-1332
9	9	House Committees Senate Committees
10	10	Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources
11	11	A BILL FOR AN ACT
12	12	C
13	13	ONCERNING THE CREATION OF A WORK GROUP TO STUDY THE USES101
14	14	OF STATE TRUST LANDS.102
15	15	Bill Summary
16	16	(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
17	17	not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
18	18	passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
19	19	applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
20	20	http://leg.colorado.gov
21	21	.)
22	22	The state board of land commissioners (state board) serves as the
23	23	trustee for lands granted to the state in public trust for the support of
24	24	public schools (state trust lands). The state board is responsible for the
25	25	management and protection of the state trust lands, including by
26	26	protecting and enhancing the natural features, open space, and wildlife
27	27	habitat of the state trust lands.
28	28	HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
29	29	McCormick,
30	30	SENATE SPONSORSHIP
31	31	Roberts and Wallace,
32	32	Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
33	33	Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
34	34	Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. The bill requires the executive director of the department of
35	35	natural resources (department) to convene a state trust lands conservation
36	36	and recreation work group (work group) to study opportunities to advance
37	37	conservation and recreation activities on state trust lands as part of the
38	38	state board's long-term stewardship of the state trust lands while
39	39	maintaining the state board's fiduciary responsibilities regarding its
40	40	management of the state trust lands. On or before July 1, 2026, the work
41	41	group is required to make recommendations to the state board, the
42	42	governor, the general assembly, and the executive director of the
43	43	department based on the study.
44	44	On or before December 15, 2026, the state board is required to
45	45	take into consideration the work group's recommendations and adopt an
46	46	administrative policy or rules to establish a process and policy regarding
47	47	the state board's implementation of conservation leases while balancing
48	48	such conservation efforts with the requirement to generate revenue from
49	49	the state trust lands.
50	50	Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
51	51	SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly2
52	52	finds and declares that:3
53	53	(a) The state board of land commissioners serves as the trustee of4
54	54	lands granted to the state in public trust by the federal government, lands5
55	55	acquired in lieu thereof, and additional lands held by the state board in6
56	56	public trust, which lands are commonly referred to as "state trust lands";7
57	57	(b) The state board of land commissioners manages 2.8 million8
58	58	surface acres and 4 million subsurface acres, making it the second largest9
59	59	landowner in the state behind the federal government;10
60	60	(c) As trustee of the state trust lands, the state board of land11
61	61	commissioners' management of state trust lands provides vital funding for12
62	62	public schools, and in state fiscal year 2023-24, the lands generated13
63	63	$229,021,719 for the school trust and $1,629,374 for other public14
64	64	institutions;15
65	65	(d) Under federal law and under section 10 of article IX of the16
66	66	HB25-1332-2- state constitution, state trust lands shall be managed exclusively for the1
67	67	benefit of the designated beneficiaries of the trusts;2
68	68	(e) Conservation and outdoor recreation may be identified as a3
69	69	form of benefit to the trust beneficiaries;4
70	70	(f) Contributions to reducing emissions and addressing climate5
71	71	change through the development of transmission and renewable energy6
72	72	generation on state trust lands are a form of benefit to the trust7
73	73	beneficiaries;8
74	74	(g) Housing for teachers, educators, school employees, and9
75	75	families with children is a form of benefit to the trust beneficiaries;10
76	76	(h) In 1959, the state legislature assigned existing and future11
77	77	revenue from lands in the internal improvements and saline trusts to the12
78	78	development and maintenance of state parks, which trusts currently hold13
79	79	58,423 acres of surface land, of which 8,817 acres are currently managed14
80	80	as part of existing state parks;15
81	81	(i) Agricultural leases on state trust lands contribute to and help16
82	82	to preserve Colorado's working landscapes while providing economic17
83	83	benefit to the trust beneficiaries;18
84	84	(j) The vast majority of revenue generated from state trust lands19
85	85	comes from extractive industries, such as oil and gas development. For20
86	86	example, in state fiscal year 2023-24, more than 80% of trust revenues,21
87	87	equaling $191,256,088, was derived from revenue generated from22
88	88	extractive mineral leases.23
89	89	(k) In 1996, the registered voters of this state approved24
90	90	amendments to sections 3, 9, and 10 of article IX of the state constitution25
91	91	to make changes to the state board of land commissioners' composition26
92	92	and mandate. Among other matters, the amendments to section 10 of27
93	93	HB25-1332
94	94	-3- article IX did the following:1
95	95	(I) Clarified the state board's authority to manage and promote the2
96	96	long-term yields of state trust lands by changing the state board's mandate3
97	97	to "produc[ing] reasonable and consistent income over time";4
98	98	(II) Articulated a vision for the state board's management of all5
99	99	state trust lands, stating that "the economic productivity of all lands held6
100	100	in public trust is dependent on sound stewardship, including protecting7
101	101	and enhancing the beauty, natural values, open space[,] and wildlife8
102	102	habitat thereof, for this and future generations";9
103	103	(III) To fulfill in part the direction to "protect and enhance the10
104	104	long-term productivity and sound stewardship" of all state trust lands,11
105	105	directed the state board to, among other activities:12
106	106	(A) Establish and maintain "a long-term stewardship trust of up13
107	107	to 300,000 acres of land";14
108	108	(B) Manage the development and utilization of natural resources15
109	109	"in a manner which will conserve the long-term value of such resources,16
110	110	as well as existing and future uses"; and17
111	111	(C) Sell or lease "conservation easements, licenses[,] and other18
112	112	similar interests in land";19
113	113	(l) The state board of land commissioners maintains a special20
114	114	management overlay, known as the "long-term stewardship trust" or21
115	115	"stewardship trust", which currently includes approximately 296,00022
116	116	acres;23
117	117	(m) Stewardship trust parcels are managed as working lands with24
118	118	special care taken regarding the concerns depicted in the amended article25
119	119	IX of the state constitution and, as such, are leased for agriculture,26
120	120	mining, oil and gas development, ecosystem services, public access, and27
121	121	HB25-1332
122	122	-4- other uses and are held for future disposition;1
123	123	(n) The constitutional stewardship trust provision anticipates the2
124	124	state board of land commissioners' continuing existing and nonconflicting3
125	125	uses of state trust lands while also managing the lands to improve and4
126	126	protect their natural values. The state board may consider whether a5
127	127	proposed use is in conflict with the state board's stewardship trust6
128	128	obligations.7
129	129	(o) It is the intent of the general assembly that uses, including8
130	130	those by the division of parks and wildlife, the Colorado natural areas9
131	131	program, the Colorado state forest service, ecosystem services,10
132	132	conservation, and agriculture, should be deemed compatible with the state11
133	133	board of land commissioners' duty to permit only those uses on12
134	134	stewardship trust parcels that protect and enhance the beauty, natural13
135	135	values, open space, and wildlife habitat of the trust parcels;14
136	136	(p) The state board of land commissioners, in fulfilling its15
137	137	stewardship responsibilities for the benefit of the trust beneficiaries,16
138	138	contributes to the preservation, protection, and enhancement of17
139	139	Colorado's land and waterways through ecosystem services leasing;18
140	140	coordination with the Colorado natural areas program; stewardship lease19
141	141	reviews and lease stipulations; asset management plans; stewardship20
142	142	action plans for important target plants, animals, and ecosystems;21
143	143	biodiversity projects; adaptive grazing; and other tools and programs;22
144	144	(q) These efforts align with the stewardship goals of the state23
145	145	board of land commissioners' strategic plan of protecting and enhancing24
146	146	the long-term economic value of the trust's physical assets by increasing25
147	147	the resiliency of state trust lands and other real property assets in the face26
148	148	of extreme weather events and climate change;27
149	149	HB25-1332
150	150	-5- (r) These efforts further the climate-resilient conservation and1
151	151	restoration goals of Colorado's outdoors strategy by helping wildlife and2
152	152	landscapes thrive amidst climate change, increasing visitation, and other3
153	153	stressors; ensuring habitats are resilient and connected; and providing4
154	154	community benefits from healthy ecosystems and agricultural land;5
155	155	(s) The state board of land commissioners' management of the6
156	156	state trust lands for the intergenerational economic benefit of the trust7
157	157	beneficiaries contributes to the protection of historic, geologic, and8
158	158	cultural resources in its property management and through archeological9
159	159	and ethnographic research;10
160	160	(t) State trust lands adjacent to and inholdings of federal, state,11
161	161	local government, and private lands with conservation protections,12
162	162	including national parks, federal wildlife areas, state parks, and open13
163	163	space, merit additional study to investigate their conservation and14
164	164	connectivity values to surrounding lands and the resulting economic15
165	165	benefit to the beneficiaries of the trusts;16
166	166	(u) Under current administrative practices, state trust lands are not17
167	167	open to public access unless the state board of land commissioners gives18
168	168	written authorization for such access;19
169	169	(v) Approximately 500,000 acres of state trust lands are leased to20
170	170	private individuals for private recreation, and each lessee controls the21
171	171	recreational opportunities pursuant to the terms of their lease;22
172	172	(w) In recent years, the state board of land commissioners, in23
173	173	coordination with the division of parks and wildlife, local parks, and24
174	174	recreation and open space departments, has helped meet growing25
175	175	demands for public recreation use through a multiple-use management26
176	176	policy that maintains other leases for mineral development, agriculture,27
177	177	HB25-1332
178	178	-6- and renewable energy development on the same lands;1
179	179	(x) Through this model, the state board of land commissioners2
180	180	leases approximately one million acres of state trust lands to the division3
181	181	of parks and wildlife for hunter and angler access, and many such lands4
182	182	are also leased for other uses such as agriculture;5
183	183	(y) The division of parks and wildlife pays the state board of land6
184	184	commissioners to lease those lands for public access, largely through7
185	185	revenue from hunting and fishing licenses; and8
186	186	(z) Despite the state's renowned beauty and range of outdoor9
187	187	activities and natural landscapes, many Coloradans, including10
188	188	disproportionately impacted communities, face obstacles to accessing11
189	189	nature.12
190	190	(2) The general assembly further finds and declares that:13
191	191	(a) Section 10 of article IX of the state constitution, which was14
192	192	amended by the registered electors of this state at the 1996 general15
193	193	election, articulated a new vision for the state board of land16
194	194	commissioners' management of all state trust lands by aligning the work17
195	195	of the state board to accomplish a mission to produce reasonable and18
196	196	consistent income over time and to provide sound stewardship of the state19
197	197	trust assets;20
198	198	(b) In the nearly 30 years since the passage of the amendment to21
199	199	section 10 of article IX of the state constitution, the state board of land22
200	200	commissioners has made important strides toward utilizing the23
201	201	stewardship mechanisms directed by the voters, including establishing the24
202	202	stewardship trust and piloting an innovative ecosystem leasing program;25
203	203	(c) As the state approaches its 150th anniversary on August 1,26
204	204	2026, there are opportunities to further implement the intent of section 1027
205	205	HB25-1332
206	206	-7- of article IX of the state constitution by continuing to diversify revenue1
207	207	streams to the benefit of the trust beneficiaries, both through revenue and2
208	208	in-kind, in a way that protects Colorado's great outdoors, wildlife, and3
209	209	recreational opportunities, which are among the state's most treasured4
210	210	resources, thus enhancing Coloradans' quality of life, bringing prosperity5
211	211	to the state and its residents, and representing the fabric of the state;6
212	212	(d) It is within the legislative prerogative of the general assembly7
213	213	to enact legislation that will further facilitate and implement the operation8
214	214	of section 10 of article IX of the state constitution;9
215	215	(e) In interpreting the provisions of section 10 of article IX of the10
216	216	state constitution, the general assembly has attempted to give the words11
217	217	of the constitutional provision their natural and obvious meaning;12
218	218	(f) Where the meaning of section 10 of article IX of the state13
219	219	constitution is uncertain, the general assembly has attempted to ascertain14
220	220	the intent of those who adopted the measure and, when appropriate, the15
221	221	intent of the proponents, as well as to apply other generally accepted rules16
222	222	of construction;17
223	223	(g) The content of this legislation represents the considered18
224	224	judgment of the general assembly as to the meaning of the provisions of19
225	225	section 10 of article IX of the state constitution as it relates to the state20
226	226	board of land commissioners' management approach;21
227	227	(h) While it is the intent of the general assembly that this22
228	228	legislation should not impact the terms of existing leases, long-range23
229	229	planning is prudent to further economic productivity through managing24
230	230	the natural resources of the state trust lands to conserve the long-term25
231	231	value of such resources;26
232	232	(i) Consistent with amendments to section 10 of article IX of the27
233	233	HB25-1332
234	234	-8- state constitution, the state board of land commissioners' trust obligation1
235	235	is intergenerational, and, as the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals held in2
236	236	Branson School District Re-82 v. Romer, 161 F.3d 619, 638 (10th Cir.3
237	237	1998), "a long-range vision of how best to preserve the value and4
238	238	productivity of the trust assets may very well include attention to5
239	239	preserving the beauty and natural values" of all state trust lands;6
240	240	(j) It is reasonable to encourage the state board of land7
241	241	commissioners, in exercising the state board's discretion to determine the8
242	242	best interests of its beneficiaries, to pursue additional revenue-generating,9
243	243	non-revenue-generating, and in-kind contributions, including10
244	244	conservation and recreational opportunities, renewable energy siting and11
245	245	energy transmission, housing, and broadband infrastructure;12
246	246	(k) Furthermore, the state board of land commissioners should13
247	247	explore opportunities to expand sustainably managed public access to14
248	248	state trust lands, including for communities that face systemic barriers to15
249	249	accessing nature, renewable energy siting and energy transmission, and16
250	250	housing, while:17
251	251	(I) Protecting natural and conservation values;18
252	252	(II) Maintaining the state board's fiduciary duties; and19
253	253	(III) Respecting the rights of existing lessees;20
254	254	(l) Efforts to expand access to state trust lands could further the21
255	255	goals of Colorado's outdoors strategy to provide exceptional and22
256	256	sustainable recreation, including the goals to:23
257	257	(I) Make high-quality outdoor recreation experiences accessible,24
258	258	equitable, and inclusive; and25
259	259	(II) Ensure that management and stewardship of recreational26
260	260	opportunities provide benefits and minimize impacts for people,27
261	261	HB25-1332
262	262	-9- landscapes, wildlife, and local communities;1
263	263	(m) The state board of land commissioners can meet its2
264	264	constitutional mandates to provide reasonable and consistent revenue to3
265	265	trust beneficiaries and to preserve the future economic potential of the4
266	266	treasured underlying asset base by both protecting and enhancing the5
267	267	natural values of state trust lands and providing high-quality, sustainable,6
268	268	and equitable public recreational access, renewable energy and energy7
269	269	transmission siting, and housing, where appropriate; and8
270	270	(n) Any costs associated with this act do not require a general9
271	271	fund appropriation; rather, money from the state board of land10
272	272	commissioners investment and development fund created in section11
273	273	36-1-153 (1), Colorado Revised Statutes, other state trust land revenues,12
274	274	or other available funding should be used to effectuate this act.13
275	275	SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 36-1-100.3, amend14
276	276	the introductory portion; and add (1.5), (1.7), (2.4), (2.5), (2.6), (2.7),15
277	277	(5.5), and (8) as follows:16
278	278	36-1-100.3. Definitions. As used in this article ARTICLE 1, unless17
279	279	the context otherwise requires:18
280	280	(1.5) "D
281	281	EPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL19
282	282	RESOURCES CREATED IN SECTION 24-33-101 (1).20
283	283	(1.7) "D
284	284	IVISION OF PARKS AND WILDLIFE" MEANS THE DIVISION OF21
285	285	PARKS AND WILDLIFE CREATED IN SECTION 33-9-104 (1).22
286	286	(2.4) "L
287	287	ONG-TERM BENEFITS AND RETURNS TO THE STATE" MEANS:23
288	288	(a) B
289	289	ENEFITTING FUTURE GENERATIONS IN RECOGNITION OF THE24
290	290	PERPETUAL, INTERGENERATIONAL PUBLIC TRUST OBLIGATIONS ;25
291	291	(b) P
292	292	ROTECTING THE UNDERLYING NATURAL RESOURCE BASE AND26
293	293	ASSET VALUE TO ENSURE RETURNS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF27
294	294	HB25-1332
295	295	-10- BENEFICIARIES AND ACHIEVE INTERGENERATIONAL EQUITY ; AND1
296	296	(c) U
297	297	TILIZING SOUND STEWARDSHIP TO MAINTAIN LONG -TERM2
298	298	VALUE OVER SHORT-TERM REVENUE GAINS.3
299	299	(2.5) "L
300	300	ONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY " MEANS SUSTAINABLE4
301	301	ECONOMIC POTENTIAL, PRODUCTIVITY, AND VALUE OF STATE TRUST5
302	302	LANDS.6
303	303	(2.6) "L
304	304	ONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP TRUST " OR "STEWARDSHIP7
305	305	TRUST" MEANS THE LONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP TRUST ESTABLISHED BY8
306	306	THE STATE BOARD OF LAND COMMISSIONERS PURSUANT TO SECTION 109
307	307	(1)(b)(I)
308	308	OF ARTICLE IX OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION AND SECTION10
309	309	36-1-107.5
310	310	(1).11
311	311	(2.7) "L
312	312	ONG-TERM VALUE" MEANS THE ABILITY TO PRESERVE A12
313	313	NATURAL BENEFIT FOR A FUTURE ECONOMIC USE OR PRODUCTIVITY , EVEN13
314	314	IF THE NATURAL BENEFIT IS NOT CURRENTLY IN USE OR BEING MONETIZED14
315	315	OR IF THE LIKELIHOOD OF FUTURE USE OR MONETIZATION IS UNKNOWN .15
316	316	(5.5) "S
317	317	OUND STEWARDSHIP" MEANS THE USE OF NATURAL16
318	318	RESOURCES ON STATE TRUST LANDS IN A MANNER THAT WILL PROTECT THE17
319	319	LONG-TERM ECONOMIC VALUE AND LONG -TERM PRODUCTIVITY OF THE18
320	320	STATE TRUST LANDS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF BENEFICIARIES .19
321	321	(8) "W
322	322	ORK GROUP" MEANS THE STATE TRUST LANDS20
323	323	CONSERVATION AND RECREATION WORK GROUP CONVENED PURSUANT TO21
324	324	SECTION 36-1-152.3.22
325	325	SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 36-1-152.3,23
326	326	36-1-152.5, and 36-1-152.7 as follows:24
327	327	36-1-152.3. State trust lands conservation and recreation work25
328	328	group - creation - membership - study - interim report. (1) T
329	329	HE26
330	330	EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONVENE A STATE27
331	331	HB25-1332
332	332	-11- TRUST LANDS CONSERVATION AND RECREATION WORK GROUP TO1
333	333	CONDUCT A STUDY TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCE2
334	334	CONSERVATION; CLIMATE RESILIENCE; BIODIVERSITY; AND SUSTAINABLE,3
335	335	EQUITABLE, AND LOW-CONFLICT RECREATION ON STATE TRUST LANDS IN4
336	336	ACCORDANCE WITH COLORADO'S OUTDOORS STRATEGY STEWARDED BY5
337	337	THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND WILDLIFE. THE WORK GROUP SHALL CONDUCT6
338	338	THE STUDY IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE STATE BOARD OF LAND7
339	339	COMMISSIONERS' FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY TO PRODUCE REASONABLE8
340	340	AND CONSISTENT REVENUE FOR TRUST BENEFICIARIES .9
341	341	(2) (a) T
342	342	HE WORK GROUP SHALL:10
343	343	(I) M
344	344	EET AS OFTEN AS NECESSARY, BUT NO FEWER THAN FOUR11
345	345	TIMES, TO EVALUATE THE STATE TRUST LANDS AND THE OPPORTUNITIES12
346	346	FOR RECREATION AND CONSERVATION ;13
347	347	(II) M
348	348	AKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2026, TO14
349	349	THE GOVERNOR, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE STATE BOARD OF LAND15
350	350	COMMISSIONERS, AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT ;16
351	351	(III) B
352	352	E ASSISTED BY A PROFESSIONAL FACILITATOR;17
353	353	(IV) H
354	354	OLD ITS FIRST MEETING NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 1,18
355	355	2025;19
356	356	(V) E
357	357	NGAGE SPECIALISTS OR SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS AS20
358	358	NEEDED, INCLUDING EXPERTS ON THE ECONOMY , LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY,21
359	359	AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE; AND22
360	360	(VI) M
361	361	AKE ALL REASONABLE EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE FISCAL23
362	362	IMPACT OF THE WORK GROUP , INCLUDING BY ALLOWING REMOTE24
363	363	PARTICIPATION.25
364	364	(b) O
365	365	N OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 28, 2026, THE WORK GROUP SHALL26
366	366	PROVIDE AN INTERIM REPORT TO THE PARTIES LISTED IN SUBSECTION27
367	367	HB25-1332
368	368	-12- (2)(a)(II) OF THIS SECTION, WHICH INTERIM REPORT INCLUDES , AT A1
369	369	MINIMUM, INFORMATION ON POTENTIAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE2
370	370	LONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP TRUST AND THE INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS AND3
371	371	SALINE TRUSTS.4
372	372	(c) T
373	373	HE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT SHALL5
374	374	APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE WORK GROUP PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (3) OF6
375	375	THIS SECTION ON OR BEFORE JUNE 15, 2025. IN CONDUCTING THE STUDY,7
376	376	THE WORK GROUP SHALL SOLICIT PUBLIC INPUT , INCLUDING INPUT8
377	377	REGARDING THE IDENTIFICATION OF PARTICULAR PROPERTIES TO CONSIDER9
378	378	AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS TO INCLUDE IN THE STUDY .10
379	379	(3) (a) T
380	380	HE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT SHALL11
381	381	SELECT VOTING MEMBERS OF THE WORK GROUP , WHICH VOTING MEMBERS12
382	382	MAY INCLUDE ONE OR MORE MEMBERS :13
383	383	(I) W
384	384	ITH EXPERTISE IN AGRICULTURE AND RANCHING ;14
385	385	(II) W
386	386	ITH EXPERTISE IN RECREATIONAL USES OF STATE TRUST15
387	387	LANDS AND PUBLIC LANDS, INCLUDING EXPERTISE RELATED TO OUTDOOR16
388	388	EQUITY;17
389	389	(III) W
390	390	ITH EXPERTISE IN LAND CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP ;18
391	391	(IV) W
392	392	ITH EXPERTISE IN WILDLIFE AND HABITAT CONSERVATION ;19
393	393	(V) W
394	394	HO REPRESENT A REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE ;20
395	395	(VI) W
396	396	HO REPRESENT BENEFICIARIES AND LESSEES OF STATE21
397	397	TRUST LANDS;22
398	398	(VII) W
399	399	ITH RELEVANT LEGAL OR ECONOMIC EXPERTISE ,23
400	400	INCLUDING KNOWLEDGE OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION , FIDUCIARY DUTIES,24
401	401	AND STATUTES GOVERNING THE ISSUES THAT THE WORK GROUP STUDIES ;25
402	402	(VIII) W
403	403	HO ARE TRIBAL MEMBERS FROM THE UTE MOUNTAIN UTE26
404	404	T
405	405	RIBE;27
406	406	HB25-1332
407	407	-13- (IX) WHO ARE TRIBAL MEMBERS FROM THE SOUTHERN UTE1
408	408	I
409	409	NDIAN TRIBE;2
410	410	(X) W
411	411	HO ARE TRIBAL MEMBERS OF A TRIBE WITH HISTORIC TIES TO3
412	412	EASTERN COLORADO; AND4
413	413	(XI) W
414	414	ITH RELEVANT EXPERIENCE , AS DETERMINED BY THE5
415	415	EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT .6
416	416	(b) T
417	417	HE NONVOTING MEMBERS OF THE WORK GROUP ARE :7
418	418	(I) T
419	419	HE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION OR THE COMMISSIONER 'S8
420	420	DESIGNEE;9
421	421	(II) T
422	422	HE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND WILDLIFE OR10
423	423	THE DIRECTOR'S DESIGNEE;11
424	424	(III) T
425	425	HE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE BOARD OF LAND12
426	426	COMMISSIONERS OR THE DIRECTOR 'S DESIGNEE;13
427	427	(IV) T
428	428	HE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OR THE14
429	429	EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S DESIGNEE; AND15
430	430	(V) T
431	431	HE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE OR THE COMMISSIONER 'S16
432	432	DESIGNEE.17
433	433	36-1-152.5. Work group study - requirements. (1) (a) A
434	434	S PART18
435	435	OF THE STUDY CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 36-1-152.3 (1), THE19
436	436	STATE TRUST LANDS CONSERVATION AND RECREATION WORK GROUP20
437	437	SHALL PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PARTIES IDENTIFIED IN21
438	438	SECTION 36-1-152.3 (2)(a)(II) REGARDING HOW TO BETTER IMPLEMENT22
439	439	THE MANDATE OF SECTION 10 OF ARTICLE IX OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION,23
440	440	INCLUDING RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO :24
441	441	(I) F
442	442	URTHER THE LONG -TERM PRODUCTIVITY AND SOUND25
443	443	STEWARDSHIP OF ALL STATE TRUST LANDS , NOT ONLY THOSE IN THE26
444	444	LONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP TRUST;27
445	445	HB25-1332
446	446	-14- (II) PRESERVE AND ENHANCE THE BEAUTY , NATURAL VALUES,1
447	447	OPEN SPACE, AND WILDLIFE OF THE STATE FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE2
448	448	GENERATIONS;3
449	449	(III) P
450	450	ROMOTE LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY FOR AGRICULTURE ;4
451	451	(IV) P
452	452	ROVIDE FOR SUSTAINABLE, EQUITABLE, AND LOW-CONFLICT5
453	453	RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ON STATE TRUST LANDS ; AND6
454	454	(V) M
455	455	ANAGE THE UTILIZATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES ON STATE7
456	456	TRUST LANDS TO CONSERVE THE LONG -TERM VALUE, INCLUDING THE8
457	457	OPTION VALUE, WHICH REPRESENTS THE WILLINGNESS TO PAY TO9
458	458	GUARANTEE THE CONTINUED AVAILABILITY OF A RESOURCE FOR10
459	459	POTENTIAL FUTURE USE, OF THE STATE TRUST LANDS WHILE THE STATE11
460	460	BOARD OF LAND COMMISSIONERS CARRIES OUT ITS FIDUCIARY DUTIES .12
461	461	(b) T
462	462	HE WORK GROUP'S RECOMMENDATIONS SHALL NOT BE13
463	463	CONSTRUED TO ALTER OR IMPAIR THE VALIDITY OF ANY EXISTING LEASES14
464	464	ON STATE TRUST LANDS.15
465	465	(2) T
466	466	HE WORK GROUP'S STUDY MUST INCLUDE, AT A MINIMUM:16
467	467	(a) S
468	468	OLICITING REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVES AND COUNTIES17
469	469	TO IDENTIFY STATE TRUST LAND PARCELS THAT HOLD UNIQUE18
470	470	OPPORTUNITIES FOR REGIONAL RECREATION , CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES,19
471	471	AND AGRICULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES ;20
472	472	(b) A
473	473	REVIEW OF STATE TRUST LAND PARCELS FOR OPPORTUNITIES21
474	474	TO ADVANCE CONSERVATION , CLIMATE RESILIENCY , OR HABITAT22
475	475	CONNECTIVITY, INCLUDING CONSERVATION OR AGRICULTURAL LEASES OR23
476	476	PERMANENT PROTECTION , INCLUDING THROUGH SALES AND INTERTRUST24
477	477	SWAPS;25
478	478	(c) I
479	479	DENTIFICATION OF PRIORITY PARCELS, WHICH IDENTIFICATION26
480	480	MAY INCLUDE RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO WHETHER AND HOW LONG -TERM27
481	481	HB25-1332
482	482	-15- DISPOSITION OF PRIORITY PARCELS SHOULD OCCUR , INCLUDING LEASE,1
483	483	EASEMENT, OR FEE TITLE ACQUISITION FOR CONSERVATION PURPOSES2
484	484	SUCH AS HABITAT RESTORATION OR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES .3
485	485	I
486	486	DENTIFICATION OF PRIORITY PARCELS MUST INCLUDE CONSIDERATION OF :4
487	487	(I) S
488	488	TATE PARK AND STATE WILDLIFE AREA CREATION OR5
489	489	EXPANSION, INCLUDING THROUGH THE USE OF THE INTERNAL6
490	490	IMPROVEMENTS AND SALINE TRUSTS ;7
491	491	(II) F
492	492	UTURE LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS FOR PARKS8
493	493	AND WILDLIFE AREAS CURRENTLY LEASED OR UTILIZED BY THE DIVISION9
494	494	OF PARKS AND WILDLIFE, INCLUDING LONE MESA STATE PARK AND10
495	495	Q
496	496	UEENS STATE WILDLIFE AREA;11
497	497	(III) C
498	498	URRENT AND FUTURE PUBLIC USE BY SCHOOLCHILDREN FOR12
499	499	OUTDOOR RECREATION AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ; AND13
500	500	(IV) H
501	501	IGH-VALUE LANDS USED TO IMPROVE CLIMATE -RESILIENT14
502	502	CONSERVATION AND RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES , INCLUDING THOSE15
503	503	LANDS WITH:16
504	504	(A) I
505	505	MPORTANT HABITAT FOR SPECIES OF GREATEST17
506	506	CONSERVATION NEEDS;18
507	507	(B) H
508	508	IGH-PRIORITY HABITATS, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 34-60-13219
509	509	(1)(n),
510	510	IDENTIFIED BY THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND WILDLIFE;20
511	511	(C) W
512	512	ETLANDS AND RIPARIAN AREAS; AND21
513	513	(D) H
514	514	ABITAT CONNECTIVITY;22
515	515	(d) R
516	516	ECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING ACTIONS TO ADVANCE23
517	517	CONSERVATION AND RECREATION ON STATE TRUST LANDS BASED IN PART24
518	518	ON AN ANALYSIS OF CONSERVATION MEASURES AND PUBLIC RECREATION25
519	519	ACCESS AND MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS ON STATE TRUST LANDS IN OTHER26
520	520	STATES, INCLUDING:27
521	521	HB25-1332
522	522	-16- (I) AN EVALUATION OF THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES1
523	523	ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLIC RECREATIONAL ACCESS ON STATE TRUST L ANDS ,2
524	524	INCLUDING WAYS TO REDUCE CONFLICTS WITH AND IMPACTS TO EXISTING3
525	525	LESSEES AND CONSIDERATION OF LESSONS FROM OTHER STATES4
526	526	REGARDING MANAGEMENT OF RECREATION ON STATE TRUST LANDS ;5
527	527	(II) O
528	528	PPORTUNITIES FOR THE STATE BOARD OF LAND6
529	529	COMMISSIONERS TO UTILIZE NONPERPETUAL CONSERVATION LEASES IN7
530	530	ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 10 OF ARTICLE IX OF THE STATE8
531	531	CONSTITUTION; AND9
532	532	(III) M
533	533	ETHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE TOOLS DESCRIBED IN10
534	534	SUBSECTION (2)(d)(II) OF THIS SECTION, INCLUDING VALUATION OF11
535	535	CONSERVATION LEASING OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSIDERATION OF12
536	536	LONG-TERM VALUE;13
537	537	(e) C
538	538	ONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL NET REVENUE CHANGES OR14
539	539	MANAGEMENT CHANGES WHEN IDENTIFYING STATE TRUST LAND PARCELS15
540	540	FOR EXAMINATION;16
541	541	(f) C
542	542	ONSIDERATION OF THE INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS AND SALINE17
543	543	TRUSTS, INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE18
544	544	OF THE INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS AND SALINE TRUSTS TO ENSURE19
545	545	MAXIMUM PUBLIC BENEFIT FOR ADVANCEMENT OF THE DIVISION OF PARKS20
546	546	AND WILDLIFE'S MISSION, INCLUDING CONSIDERATION OF:21
547	547	(I) O
548	548	UTDOOR RECREATION AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ; AND22
549	549	(II) T
550	550	RANSFERRING TITLE OF LAND WITHIN THE INTERNAL23
551	551	IMPROVEMENTS AND SALINE TRUSTS TO THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND24
552	552	WILDLIFE;25
553	553	(g) A
554	554	N ASSESSMENT OF OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTINUE AND EXPAND26
555	555	UPON SOUND STEWARDSHIP AND LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES27
556	556	HB25-1332
557	557	-17- THROUGH AGRICULTURAL LEASES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCE1
558	558	LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT FOR AGRICULTURAL LEASES ON STATE TRUST2
559	559	LAND PARCELS, INCLUDING THOSE PARCELS IN THE LONG -TERM3
560	560	STEWARDSHIP TRUST;4
561	561	(h) A
562	562	N ASSESSMENT OF STATE TRUST LAND PARCELS IN THE5
563	563	LONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP TRUST , WHICH ASSESSMENT INCLUDES THE6
564	564	IDENTIFICATION OF STEWARDSHIP TRUST PROPERTIES WITH EXISTING USES7
565	565	OR LONG-TERM IMPACTS THAT ARE INCOMPATIBLE WITH PRIMARILY8
566	566	PROTECTING AND ENHANCING BEAUTY , NATURAL VALUES, OPEN SPACE,9
567	567	AND WILDLIFE HABITAT. SOME LEASES MAY BE PRESUMED COMPATIBLE ,10
568	568	SUCH AS COLORADO NATURAL AREAS PROGRAM LEASES , THE DIVISION OF11
569	569	PARKS AND WILDLIFE LEASES , CONSERVATION LEASES , ECOSYSTEM12
570	570	SERVICES LEASES, AND AGRICULTURAL LEASES.13
571	571	(i) R
572	572	ECOMMENDATIONS TO :14
573	573	(I) E
574	574	VALUATE LONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP TRUST PROPERTIES OR15
575	575	PORTIONS OF STEWARDSHIP TRUST PROPERTIES IN WHICH THE EXISTING16
576	576	USE OR USES CREATE LONG-TERM IMPACTS THAT ARE INCOMPATIBLE WITH17
577	577	PRIMARILY PROTECTING AND ENHANCING BEAUTY , NATURAL VALUES,18
578	578	OPEN SPACE, AND WILDLIFE HABITAT; AND19
579	579	(II) D
580	580	EVELOP A PROPOSED PROCESS TO TIMELY ADDRESS ANY20
581	581	INCOMPATIBILITY, INCLUDING BY THE REMOVAL AND NOMINATION OF21
582	582	OTHER STATE TRUST LAND PROPERTIES AS REPLACEMENT PARCELS WITH22
583	583	QUALIFYING VALUES AND EQUIVALENT ACREAGE ;23
584	584	(j) E
585	585	VALUATION AND REPORTING ON THE LONG -TERM VALUE,24
586	586	INCLUDING THE OPTION VALUE , OF LONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP TRUST25
587	587	ASSETS;26
588	588	(k) R
589	589	ECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING RIGOROUS REVIEW27
590	590	HB25-1332
591	591	-18- STANDARDS OF FUTURE LEASES OF STEWARDSHIP TRUST PARCELS TO1
592	592	BETTER PRESERVE LONG-TERM BENEFITS AND RETURNS TO THE STATE ,2
593	593	INCLUDING REQUIREMENTS TO EVALUATE THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND3
594	594	WILDLIFE'S HIGH-PRIORITY HABITATS, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 34-60-1324
595	595	(1)(n);
596	596	HABITAT CONNECTIVITY; WETLAND AND RIPARIAN RESOURCES ; THE5
597	597	PRESENCE OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ; EXISTING LAND STEWARDSHIP6
598	598	PRACTICES; RARE PLANTS AND PLANT COMMUNITIES; IMPORTANT WILDLIFE7
599	599	SPECIES; CULTURAL RESOURCES; PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES ; AND8
600	600	GEOLOGIC RESOURCES; AND9
601	601	(l) R
602	602	ECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO IMPROVE PUBLIC E NGAGEMENT10
603	603	OF APPROPRIATE STAKEHOLDERS , INCLUDING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ,11
604	604	STATE AGENCIES, FEDERAL AGENCIES, AND TRIBAL NATIONS, IN THE12
605	605	CONSULTATION AND NOTIFICATION PROCESS USED FOR NEW LEASES OR13
606	606	USES OF LONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP TRUST PARCELS .14
607	607	(3) O
608	608	N OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2025, THE STATE BOARD OF LAND15
609	609	COMMISSIONERS SHALL:16
610	610	(a) R
611	611	EVIEW ALL EXISTING LEASES ON LONG -TERM STEWARDSHIP17
612	612	TRUST PARCELS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE LANDS ARE MANAGED18
613	613	PRIMARILY TO PRESERVE LONG -TERM RETURNS AND BENEFITS TO THE19
614	614	STATE, INCLUDING TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE LANDS ' BEAUTY,20
615	615	NATURAL VALUES, OPEN SPACE, AND WILDLIFE HABITAT AND PROVIDE A21
616	616	REPORT OF THE SAME MATTERS TO THE WORK GROUP ;22
617	617	(b) R
618	618	EVIEW AND UPDATE , IF NECESSARY, ALL EXISTING23
619	619	STEWARDSHIP TRUST MANAGEMENT PLANS OR OTHER APPLICABLE PLANS24
620	620	TO ACHIEVE CONSERVATION PURPOSES AND REQUIRE CORRECTIVE25
621	621	MANAGEMENT ACTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXISTING26
622	622	STEWARDSHIP TRUST POLICY AND LEASE TERMS AND PROVIDE A DETAILED27
623	623	HB25-1332
624	624	-19- SUMMARY TO THE WORK GROUP OF THE REVIEW AND ANY RESULTING1
625	625	ACTIONS;2
626	626	(c) P
627	627	ROVIDE TO THE WORK GROUP , TO THE EXTENT THE3
628	628	INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE, A REPORT REGARDING ALL OCCASIONS SINCE4
629	629	1996
630	630	IN WHICH A LEASE PROPOSED FOR A STEWARDSHIP TRUST PARCEL5
631	631	WAS DENIED AS INCOMPATIBLE WITH PRIMARILY PROTECTING AND6
632	632	ENHANCING BEAUTY , OPEN SPACE, NATURAL VALUES, AND WILDLIFE7
633	633	HABITAT;8
634	634	(d) P
635	635	ROVIDE TO THE WORK GROUP , TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE,9
636	636	DOCUMENTATION OF LEASE STIPULATIONS THAT HIGHLIGHT MEASURES TO10
637	637	PROTECT AND ENHANCE BEAUTY , OPEN SPACE, NATURAL VALUES, AND11
638	638	WILDLIFE HABITAT WHEN LEASING STEWARDSHIP TRUST LANDS ; AND12
639	639	(e) P
640	640	ROVIDE TO THE WORK GROUP AN ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC13
641	641	RECREATIONAL ACCESS AND MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS ON STATE TRUST14
642	642	LANDS IN OTHER STATES, INCLUDING HUNTING, FISHING, WATER ACCESS15
643	643	SITES, MOTORIZED AND NONMOTORIZED TRAILS , CAMPING, AND WILDLIFE16
644	644	VIEWING.17
645	645	36-1-152.7. State board consideration of work group18
646	646	recommendations - conservation lease policies - rules. (1) O
647	647	N OR19
648	648	BEFORE DECEMBER 15, 2026, THE STATE BOARD OF LAND COMMISSIONERS20
649	649	SHALL CONSIDER THE WORK GROUP 'S RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE STUDY21
650	650	CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 36-1-152.3 AND ADOPT AN22
651	651	ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY OR RULES TO ESTABLISH , AT A MINIMUM:23
652	652	(a) A
653	653	PROCESS GOVERNING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF24
654	654	CONSERVATION LEASES AND RELATED INSTRUMENTS ON STATE TRUST25
655	655	LANDS, INCLUDING A FRAMEWORK FOR THE STRUCTURE , PRICING, AND26
656	656	DURATION OF SUCH INSTRUMENTS ;27
657	657	HB25-1332
658	658	-20- (b) A SPECIFIC PROCESS TO SUBSTANTIATE HOW THE STATE BOARD1
659	659	BALANCES REVENUE GENERATION WITH CONSERVING THE LONG -TERM2
660	660	VALUE OF STATE TRUST LANDS; AND3
661	661	(c) A
662	662	NY OTHER POLICIES OR RULES THE STATE BOARD , IN ITS4
663	663	DISCRETION, DEEMS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT SECTION 10 OF ARTICLE IX5
664	664	OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION.6
665	665	SECTION 4. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,7
666	666	determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate8
667	667	preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for9
668	668	the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state10
669	669	institutions.11
670	670	HB25-1332
671	671	-21-