5BBD3EC3A86B0DAC87258B4E0054223A Hearing Summary CLICS/CLICS2024A/commsumm.nsf PUBLICBILL SUMMARY For PRESENTATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND COLORADO STATE FOREST SERVICEINTERIM COMMITTEE WILDFIRE MATTERS REVIEW COMMITTEEDate Jul 2, 2024 Location Old State Library Presentation from the Department of Natural Resources and Colorado State Forest Service - Committee Discussion Only Attachment Tag File Name Attachment http://www2.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2024A/commsumm.nsf/0/7F6CF5DC0167...$File/Attachment D.pdf?OpenElement Attachment D.pdf Attachment http://www2.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2024A/commsumm.nsf/0/EAA380DE5570...$File/Attachment E.pdf?OpenElement Attachment E.pdf 09:19:00 AM Alison Lerch, representing the Department of Natural Resources, and Chris Strum, representing th Department of Natural Resources, presented to the committee. A copy of the presentation was provided to the committee (Attachment D). Ms. Lerch discussed Senate Bill 21-258, which addressed wildfire risk mitigation. She discussed the Colorado Forest Health Council, which is a 26 member council, and the Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Plan (COSWAP) that addresses funding and workforce development, including Department of Corrections' State Wildland Inmate Fire Team (SWIFT) crews. Ms. Lerch presented information about the COSWAP discussions with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and COSWAP grants. 09:29:52 AM Ms. Lerch highlighted several COSWAP projects, including projects in Pueblo, Longmont, and Grand Junction. 09:34:14 AM Mr. Strum reviewed information about the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) and the Wildfire Ready Action Plan, established through Senate Bill 21-258. 09:37:26 AM Ms. Lerch discussed Senate Bill 23-270, which addressed projects to restore natural streams systems. She discussed the efforts to implement the bill. 09:39:08 AM Mr. Strum and Ms. Lerch responded to questions from the committee. Ms. Lerch further explained the COSWAP funding selection process. 09:47:09 AM James Lucero, representing the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS), presented to the committee. A copy of his presentation was distributed to the committee (Attachment E). Mr. Lucero reviewed the agency profile. He provided information on Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation (FRWRM) Program, including Senate Bill 17-050; the monitoring done through the program; and demand for funding through the program. Mr. Lucero discussed the success of the FRWRM Program. He stated that there have been 105 completed projects that have treated over 8,700 acres and that the FRWRM Program has awarded approximately $35 million in grant awards. 10:01:49 AM Mr. Lucero discussed the Live Wildfire Ready campaign. He referenced House Bill 24-1024, which requires the CSFS to continue its enhanced wildfire awareness outreach campaign through 2027. He discussed the outreach efforts of the campaign. 10:06:41 AM Mr. Lucero discussed the CO IRA Urban and Community Forest Grant Program, which is providing $1.6 million in the first round of funding. 10:09:03 AM Mr. Lucero and Teddy Parker-Regna, representing the CSFS, responded to questions from the committee, including providing information on the CSFS nursery, healthy forests, and the position of tree equity specialist. Mr. Lucero further explained the CSFS nursery and the funding for the nursery.
