908BC992BD23152587258251006CA1F3 Hearing Summary

Representative Lewis, bill sponsor, explained House Bill 18-1122 to the committee.  The bill requires the Office of the State Auditor to contract for a comprehensive accounting and mapping of conservation easements.

Representative Lewis, bill sponsor, explained House Bill 18-1123 to the committee.  The bill suspends the conservation easement tax credit for conservation easements created in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Representative Lewis, bill sponsor, explained House Bill 18-1194 to the committee.  The bill adds additional requirements that must be met before creating a conservation easement, limits the term of the easement to 20 years, and changes the application process for conservation easement tax credits.  Handouts were distributed to the committee [Attachments A, B, and C].

Jim Guire, representing Guire Ranch, testified in support of HB 18-1122, HB 18-1123, and HB 18-1194.

Alan Gentz, representing himself, testified in support of HB 18-1122, HB 18-1123, and HB 18-1194.

Belinda Groner, representing Act For America, testified in support of the HB 18-1122, HB 18-1123, and HB18-1194.

Eric Meyer, representing himself, testified in support of HB 18-1122, neutral to HB 18-1123, and in support of HB 18-1194 with an amendment.

Mr. Guire, Mr. Gentz, Ms. Groner, and Mr. Meyer responded to committee questions.

Scott McInnis, representing Mesa County, testified remotely in support of HB 18-1122, HB 18-1194, and in a neutral capacity to HB 18-1123. Mr. McInnis responded to committee questions.

John Reid, representing the Colorado Independent Cattle Growers Association, testified remotely in support of HB 18-1122, HB 18-1123, and HB 18-1194.

Tom Wallace, representing himself, testified remotely in support of HB 18-1122, HB 18-1123, and HB 18-1194.

Mr. Reid and Mr. Wallace responded to committee questions.

Mack Louden, representing himself, testified in support of HB 18-1122.

Jillane Hixson, representing herself, testified in support of HB 18-1122, HB 18-1123, and HB 18-1194.  Ms. Hixson distributed a document to the committee [Attachment D]. 

Mr. Louden and Ms. Hixson responded to committee questions.

Larry Kueter, representing the Colorado Cattleman's Agricultural Land Trust, testified in opposition to HB 18-1122, HB 18-1123, and HB 18-1194.

Koger Propst, representing himself, testified in opposition to HB 18-1122, HB 18-1123, and HB 18-1194.

Mr. Kueter and Mr. Propst responded to committee questions.

Marcia Waters, Eric Turner, Brian Tobias, and Mark Westin, Department of Regulatory Agency, came to the table for questions only.  Committee discussion ensued.

Matthew Scott, Department of Revenue, came to the table for questions only.  Eric Meyer returned to the table to answer committee questions.

Erik Glenn, representing the Colorado Cattleman's Agricultural Land Trust and the Colorado Coalition of Land Trusts, testified in opposition to all three bills.

Matt Moorhead, representing the Nature Conservancy, testified in opposition to all three bills.

Gail Schwartz, representing Colorado Open Lands, testified in opposition to all three bills.

Mr. Glenn, Mr. Moorhead, and Ms. Schwartz responded to committee questions.  Committee discussion ensued.

Dallas May, representing himself, testified in opposition to all three bills.

Steve Wooton, representing himself, testified in opposition to all three bills.

Lee Rooks, representing the Colorado Cattleman's Agricultural Land Trust, testified in opposition to all three bills.

Mr. May, Mr. Wooton, and Mr. Rooks responded to committee questions.

Ann Hanna, representing herself, testified in opposition to all three bills.

Keven Turecek, representing Stacked Lazy 3 Ranch, testified in opposition to all three bills.

Russell McLennan, representing himself, testified in opposition to all three bills.

Sharon O'Toole, representing herself, testified in opposition to all three bills.

Merritt Linke, representing himself, testified in opposition to all three bills.

Ivan James, representing Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, testified in opposition to all three bills.

Ms. O'Toole, Mr. Linke, and Mr. James responded to committee questions.

Erik Glenn returned to the table to respond to committee questions.

Jody Barbour, Conservation Tax Credit Transfer, came to the table and responded to committee questions.

Jen Boulton, representing Colorado Trout Unlimited, testified in opposition to all three bills.

Kevin Ward, representing the Department of Defense, testified in opposition to all three bills.

Emily Ibach, representing the Colorado Farm Bureau , testified in opposition to HB 18-1123 and HB 18-1194.

Ms. Boulton, Ms. Ibach, and Mr. Ward responded to committee questions.

Korry Lewis, representing herself, testified in support of all three bills.

Louis J. Garone, representing himself, testified in opposition to HB 18-1194.

Michael Moneffee, Colorado State University, came to the table to answer committee questions.

Dianne Ray, Office of the State Auditor, came to the table to answer committee questions.

Ms. Lewis responded to committee questions.

Mr. Moneffee responded to committee questions.

Jody Barbour returned to the table to respond to committee questions.

Representative Ginal concluded witness testimony.

Representative Lewis explained and distributed amendment L.003 for HB 18-1122 [Attachment E].

Josh Abrams, Legislative Council Staff, came to the table and responded the committee questions.

Representative Lewis made closing remarks.

Committee members commented on the bill.