Forest Health Council committee backs HB 25 10 78, will recommend council testimony

The Forest Health Council’s advisory committee voted to support House Bill 25 10 78 as introduced and agreed to put the item on the council’s Feb. 6 agenda so the council can consider testifying in favor of the measure. The motion to endorse the bill as written was made by Julie Stencil and seconded by Mark Morgan; members voted in favor.

Courtney, who convened the meeting, summarized the bill’s two main elements: a forestry workforce and education component tied to the extension/4‑H system and a second section that authorizes the Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) to award grants from the local firefighter safety and disease prevention fund for certification courses, to create a train‑the‑trainer program and to develop outreach and marketing efforts to promote fire service careers.

James, speaking from the Colorado State Forest Service, described how the two concepts were combined when the Wildfire Matters Review Committee limits the number of bills it advances. He warned the sponsors could “sever” the workforce/education piece into a separate measure, which would put the two components in competition for limited appropriations. James cited fiscal estimates of about $700,000 for the forestry/4‑H piece and roughly $500,000 for the firefighter training and outreach portion.

Mark Morgan urged supporting the complete package, saying that when “there’s something in it for everybody, then everybody can support it,” and that splitting components risks narrowing the coalition.

Courtney said the committee could also ask the council to continue advocacy or to press sponsors for funding priorities if members want adjustments; James and other staff said departments such as DFPC, the Colorado State Forest Service and Colorado State University (CSU) are already engaged in negotiations and that sponsors ultimately decide how to proceed.

The committee recorded the motion to support the bill as written, the second, and a vote in favor; the item will be placed on the Forest Health Council agenda for Feb. 6 for further council consideration.