Senate committee keeps Colorado Forest Health Council through 2033, adds agriculture designee

The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee voted to advance House Bill 11 84, which would continue the Colorado Forest Health Council, after sponsors and multiple stakeholders described the council’s role in coordinating wildfire mitigation, workforce development and cross-boundary forest work.

Sponsor Senator Cutter said the council — a 26-member advisory body administered by the Department of Natural Resources — produces recommendations for the Wildfire Matters Review Committee and recently completed a 30-year vision for Colorado’s forests. "Letting this council sunset five months after delivering that vision would mean a 30-year plan without a steward," co-prime Senator Marchman said.

Conservation district representatives and county officials testified in support and asked for an additional voting member representing conservation districts. The committee adopted amendment L3 to add the Commissioner of Agriculture or the commissioner’s designee as an ex officio member in order to broaden agency coordination. The committee then moved the bill to the committee of the whole with a favorable recommendation; the motion carried on a recorded vote of 5–1.

Committee discussion emphasized the council’s cross-jurisdictional role in workforce development and leveraging federal and private funding. Sponsors said they would continue to work on technical clarifications and the conservation district request as the bill proceeds to appropriations.