H_ALW_2022A 04/25/2022 02:24:55 PM Committee Summary

Matt McCombs, Director
of Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) and the State Forester, introduced
the presentation.  The following handouts were distributed to the
committee:

- Five Year Strategic Plan, which can
be found here: https://csfs.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/CSFS-StrategicPlan-2016-2020.pdf

- The Home Ignition Zone, which can be
found here: https://csfs.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021_CSFS_HIZGuide_Web.pdf




He briefed the
committee on the 2021 Report on the Health on Colorado's Forests, which
can be found online here: https://csfs.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2021_Forest_Health_Report.pdf

Director Beum spoke about the next steps for his agency and the plan for long-term forest maintenance. He discussed the Colorado Front Range Project and high-risk firesheds.

Director Beum told the committee about disaster relief funding and recreation in the national forests in Colorado.

Lyle Laverty, Association of Consulting Foresters, spoke about his role and his experience in the forest industry. He discussed the impacts of the recent large fires in Colorado and how Colorado can work to recover.  He distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment B).

The presenters responded to questions from the committee members.

Questions continued.

Questions continued.

Representative Hooton, bill co-prime sponsor, introduced SB22-169. Under current law, public records are subject to request under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA). This bill amends CORA to exclude the portion of any public record that could reveal the location of animals and sensitive plant species or habitat.

Representative Will, bill co-prime sponsor, gave opening comments on the bill.

Representative Hooton gave additional comments on the bill.

Doug Vilsack, representing
the Department of Natural Resources, testified in support of the bill.
 

Mr. Jordan Beezley,
representing the Colorado Department of Agriculture, testified in support
of the bill.

Mr. Brad Klafehn,
representing himself, testified in a neutral position on the bill.  

Mr. Michael Denslow,
representing himself, testified to amend the bill.

Dr. Gabrielle
Katz, representing herself, testified to amend the bill.

Director Vilsack responded to questions from the committee.

Submitted written testimomy can be found in Attachment C.

Committee members gave final comments on the bill.