EDBB154B79BDB811872587CE0075E4A9 Hearing Summary

Commissioner Kate Greenberg, Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), began CDA's presentation. A copy of the presentation slides is available as Attachment A. She discussed the department's mission and vision and talked about drought conditions in Colorado.

Commissioner Greenberg presented on stimulus funds received by the department.  A report on agriculture events stimulus funding under House Bill 21-1262 is available as Attachment B.

Brian Coppom, CDA, presented on the Colorado Agricultural Future Loan Program. He discussed starting up the program and the application process. Mr. Coppom responded to committee member questions about the terms of the loans under the program, eligibility for and promotion of the loans, and how the department will present data on loan recipients.

Committee discussion with Mr. Coppom continued.

Les Owen, Conservation Services Division Director, CDA, presented on his division's programs. He discussed stimulus funding for agriculture efficiency programs, including the projects already in progress. A report on these programs under Senate Bill 21-235 is available as Attachment C. Mr. Owen responded to questions about how the department ramped up the program quickly and about the locations of the solar projects.

Mr. Owen presented on the Agriculture Drought Resiliency Fund. He discussed distributions of the funds so far and the benefits of the various projects. He responded to committee member questions, including about the geographic distribution of awarded funds.

Danielle Trotta, Colorado Proud Program Manager, CDA, presented on Colorado Proud's use of 2021 stimulus funds. She discussed marketing and technical assistance provided under the program. She responded to committee member questions about Colorado Proud participation in the National Western Stock Show.

Commissioner Greenberg presented on the department's wildly important goals and its performance plan (Attachment D). She also presented the department's Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget request. She responded to committee member questions about items in CDA's budget request. Commissioner Greenberg responded to a question about the Milk Marketing Board. She concluded with information about CDA's regulatory agenda (Attachment E) and legislative agenda for 2022.

The chair opened the floor for public testimony in response to CDA.

Alan Lewis, representing Natural Grocers, testified. He discussed the Milk Marketing Board and milk pricing in Colorado. He responded to questions from the committee.

The committee recessed.