S_AGR_2020A 01/09/2020 02:06:13 PM Committee Summary

Jimmy Reed, Legislative Council Staff, Justin Brakke, Joint Budget Committee Staff, and Clare Pramuk, Fiscal Notes Staff, introduced themselves and services available to the committee.  All materials can be found at: https://leg.colorado.gov/content/hraa2020asmartact.

Monica Bowers, Deputy State Auditor, provided an introduction to the committee.  Nina Frant, Audit Manager, summarized the recent Water Wells inspection Program Performance Audit and responded to committee questions.

Jenny Page, Audit Manager, presented the Colorado State Fair Authority Performance Audit and responded to committee questions.

Crystal Dorsey, Audit Manager, presented the audit recommendations not fully implemented and responded to committee questions.

Trey Standley and Kevin Amirehsani, Audit Managers, summarized the agricultural input sales tax exemptions and responded to committee questions.

Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), provided an introduction to the committee.  Mr Gibbs discussed the department's mission, budget, organization, performance, wildly important goals (WIGs), and legislative agenda and responded to committee questions.  Dan Prenzlow, Director, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, came to the table to respond to committee questions.  Carly Jacobs, DNR, came to the table to the table to respond to committee questions.  Lynne Steketee, DNR, came to the table to respond to committee questions.

Director Prenzlow updated the committee on Colorado Parks and Wildlife and responded to committee questions.

Lauren Ris, Assistant Director, provided an update about the Colorado Water Conservation Board and responded to committee questions.

Bill Ryan, Director, gave an update on the State Land Board.

Director Ryan responded to questions from the committee program revenue.

Ginny Brannon, Director of the Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety, gave an update on the division.  Director Gibbs also discussed the projects of the division.

Director Brannon responded to questions from the committee about coal decline, jobs associated with coal, and water reclamation projects.

Kate Greenberg, Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture (CDA) provided an update about CDA and the work of the department.

Commissioner Greenberg answered questions from the committee about CDA's hemp program, hemp commodities, and commodity inspections.

Commissioner Greenberg continued her presentation.  She answered questions from the committee about the United States Climate Alliance, CDA climate projects, contact with new farmers, commodity payments, and the direction of the Colorado State Fair.

Richard Orf, representing the Colorado Mining Association, provided testimony related to the Department of Natural Resources.

John McClow, Upper Gunnison River Conservancy District, Jim Lochhead, Denver Water, and Andy Mueller, Colorado River District, presented on the law of the Colorado River.

Mr. McClow, Mr. Lochhead, and Mr. Mueller responded to questions from the committee about the drought contingency plan, how the General Assembly can support the basin, the demand management program in the basin, the water flow into Lake Powell, economic impacts of irrigation, and obligations under the Colorado River Compact.

Eric Glenn and Alan Gentz, co-chairs of the House Bill 19-1264 working group, presented on the Conservation Easement Working Group Report.

Mr. Glenn and Mr. Gentz responded to questions from the committee about the working group bill. Committee members made concluding remarks about the working group.