S_LG_2017A 03/07/2017 Committee Summary

02:05 PM -- HB 17-1065



Senator Marble, prime sponsor, discussed the provisions of House Bill 17-1065 concerning the requirements for forming special districts. Under current law, no tract of land that is 40 acres or greater, and is used primarily and zoned for agricultural uses, may be included in any park and recreation district without the written consent of the land's owners. This bill expands this limitation to include tracts of land within any special metropolitan district that provides parks or recreational facilities and programs. The bill clarifies that only those signatures collected after a governing body's approval of a special district service plan may be considered by a district court to determine if the required number of eligible voters in a proposed special district have signed the petition for organization.



The following persons testified on the bill:



02:06 PM -- Brian Matise, representing himself, spoke in favor of the bill. Mr. Matise explained that he represented Bent County residents in litigation regarding the formation of a metropolitan district that sought to include agricultural lands in the district. He explained that the bill would close loopholes and make it harder to circumvent protections for agricultural landowners in current law related to parks and recreation districts. He also explained the process for forming a special district and answered questions from the committee about the proposed Bent County Metropolitan District.



02:17 PM -- Michael Valdez, representing the Special District Association of Colorado, spoke in support of the bill.





02:19 PM



The chair closed testimony, and Senator Marble closed her remarks on the bill.

02:20 PM



The committee adjourned.