603B2E5482C2245E87258251005B9D13 Hearing Summary

The committee took a brief recess.

The committee came back to order.

Reps. Winter and Thurlow introduced House Bill 18-1291. The bill implements the recommendations of DORA in its 2017 sunset review of the Conservation Easement Oversight Commission in the Division of Real Estate in DORA. The bill also makes modifications to the composition of commission, reduces membership from nine to seven members, and converts the commission from a Type 2 Agency to a Type 1 Agency, permitting the commission to exercise its powers, duties, and functions independent from the Division of Real Estate. Reps. Winter and Thurlow answered several committee questions.

Mr. Larry Kueter, representing the Colorado Cattlemans Agricultural Land Trust and the Colorado Colation of Land Trusts, testified in support of House Bill 18-1290 and House Bill 18-1291.

Mr. Erik Glenn, representing Colorado Cattlemans Agricultural Land Trust and the Colorado Colation of Land Trusts, testified in support of House Bill 18-1290 and House Bill 18-1291.

Mr. Kueter and Mr. Glenn answered several committee questions.

Ms. Ann Hanna, representing Hanna Ranches, testified in support of House Bill 18-1290 and House Bill 12-1291.  

Ms. Jillane Hixson, representing herself, testified against House Bill 18-1290 and House Bill 18-1291.  

Mr. Steve Wooten, representing himself, testified in support of House Bill 18-1290 and House Bill 18-1291.

Ms. Belinda Groner, representing the Heritage Defenders, testified against House Bill 18-1290 and House Bill 18-1291.  She distributed a packet of handouts to the committee [Attachment A].

Mr. Jay Fetcher, representing himself, testified in support of House Bill 18-1290 and House Bill 18-1291.

Former Senator Gail Schwartz, representing Colorado Open Lands, testified in support of House Bill 18-1290 and House Bill 18-1291.

Mr. Dallas May, representing himself, testified in support of House Bill 18-1290 and House Bill 118-1291.

Ms. Stacy McPhail, representing Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy, testified in support of House Bill 18-1290 and House Bill 18-1291.

Mr. Fetcher and Mr. May answered several committee question.

Commissioner Merrit Linke, representing himself, Club 20, and Grand County, testified in support of House Bill 18-1290 and House Bill 18-1291.

Mr. Alan Gentz, representing himself, testified against House Bill 18-1290 and House Bill 18-1291.

Mr. Michael Meneffee, representing Colorado State University, came to the table to answer questions regarding Colorado State University's COMaP project.

Mr. Matt Moorhead, representing the Nature Conservancy, testified in support of House Bill 18-1290 and House Bill 18-1291. He answered several committee questions.

Mr. Glenn returned to the table to answer several committee questions.

Mr. Mark Weston, representing DORA, came to the table to answer committee questions.

Ms. Marcia Waters, Mr. Eric Turner, and Mr. Brian Tobias, representing DORA, came to the table to answer committee questions.