Representative McCormick and Representative Soper, co-prime sponsors, introduced Senate Bill 26-165. The bill authorizes the use of $5 million from the Species Conservation Trust Fund for specific programs submitted by the director of the Department of Natural Resources. The programs are designed to conserve native species that are threatened or endangered under state or federal law, or are likely to become candidate species as determined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The funds authorized are available in FY 2026-27 and remain available for the designated purposes until they are fully spent.

The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Tim Brass, representing Department of Natural Resources, testified in support of the bill. Sara Orrange, representing Colorado Water Congress, testified in support of the bill. Michelle Garrison, representing Colorado Water Conservation Board, was available to answer committee questions.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

The bill sponsors and committee members made closing comments on the bill.