h_agr_2017a_2017-04-17t13:33:28z2 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/17/2017

Location: RM 271

01:44 PM -- HB 17-1321



The committee came back to order. Representatives Arndt and Wilson presented House Bill 1321, concerning the financial sustainability of Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The bill increases the limit for fees set in rule by the Parks and Wildlife Commission (commission). The commission is authorized to apply an inflation adjustment to a fee that is set at a maximum allowable amount. The revenue from the fee increases cannot be used for the purchase of real property, including water. Beginning September 1, 2018, the Parks and Wildlife Division in the Department of Natural Resources is required to report annually to the General Assembly and the public on the status and impact of fee increases. By December 31, 2018, the division is required to report on the use of division-managed lands by nonconsumptive users and to make recommendations on how those users can help cover the cost of maintaining those lands.



01:59 PM



Representatives Wilson and Arndt distributed Amendment L.001 (Attachment A), Amendment L.003 (Attachment B), and Amendment L.004 (Attachment C). Representative Arndt also distributed an unofficial preamended version of the bill, as it would be amended by Amendment L.001 (Attachment D). Representative Wilson described each of the amendments and responded to questions from the committee regarding the financial status of the division and Amendment L.004.



170417 AttachA.pdf170417 AttachB.pdf170417 AttachC.pdf170417 AttachD.pdf



The following persons testified on the bill:



02:08 PM -- Bob Broscheid, Director, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, testified in support of the bill and discussed financial needs and budget shortfalls of the division. Director Broscheid responded to questions from the committee regarding the authority of the division to raise fees and the divisions budget.



02:13 PM -- Margaret Taylor, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, testified in support of the bill and discussed the impact of the increase in visitation on state parks and the division's budget shortfalls. Ms. Taylor also discussed rising costs of the division.



02:17 PM -- Reid DeWalt, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, testified in support of the bill and discussed the creation of the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) sticker to fund the ANS Program within the division.





02:29 PM



Director Broscheid continued to respond to questions from the committee concerning the increase of hunting fees for out-of-state hunters and discussed the percentage of in-state hunters versus out-of-state hunters. Director Broscheid also responded to questions about assessing a fee for hunting, rock climbing, hiking, and biking on land owned by the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service. Ms. Taylor distributed a handout regarding the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Protection Program (Attachment E), and Director Broscheid responded to further questions regarding the program.



170417 AttachE.pdf



03:00 PM -- Jordon Evans, representing himself, testified in opposition to raising hunting and fishing fees for people under the age of 18.



03:03 PM -- Robbie Gonzales, representing himself, testified in opposition to raising hunting and fishing fees for people under the age of 18.



03:05 PM -- Sam Heckman, representing The Bass Federation (TBF), Colorado Chapter, stated that he is not opposed to the fee increases in the bill, but he explained that he was opposed to a fee increase for people under the age of 18.



03:08 PM -- Robert Gonzales, representing himself, stated that he is not opposed to the fee increases in the bill, but also is opposed to a fee increase for people under the age of 18.



03:16 PM -- Brandon Ransom, Denver Water, testified in support of the bill and discussed the ANS program and how Denver Water is supporting that program.



03:19 PM -- Chris Treese, Colorado River Water Conservation District, testified in support of the bill.



03:20 PM -- Emily Brummit, Colorado Water Congress, stated that Colorado Water Congress is taking a supportive stance on Sections 19, 20, and 23 of the bill but is remaining neutral on the remaining sections.



03:21 PM -- Brad Wind, Northern Water, testified in support of the bill and discussed the Windy Gap project and other water supply projects and how ANS could negatively impact the infrastructure of Windy Gap and other water projects.



03:25 PM -- Margaret Christiansen, Aurora Water, testified in support of the bill, most specifically the creation of the ANS sticker program.



03:26 PM -- Jhsdu Cutler, Colorado Parks and Recreation Association, testified in support of the bill and distributed a letter of support from Jayna Lang, President of Colorado Parks and Recreation Association (Attachment F).



170417 AttachF.pdf



03:28 PM -- Gaspar Perricone, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



03:30 PM -- Steve Bonowski, representing himself, testified in support of the bill, but stated that he has concerns about Section 4 of the bill.



03:32 PM -- Tom Behunin, Colorado Bowhunters Association, testified in support of the bill and in support of Amendments L.001, L.003, and L.004.



03:36 PM



Representative Wilson responded to questions from the committee.



03:37 PM -- Bill Canterberry, Colorado Cattleman's Association, testified in support of the bill and stated that he does not support Amendment L.004.



03:41 PM -- Dik Ray, Colorado Outfitters Association, testified in support of the bill.



03:43 PM -- Suzanne O'Neil, Colorado Wildlife Association, testified in support of the bill and discussed specific sections of the bill the association supports.



03:46 PM -- David Nickum, Colorado Trout Unlimited, testified in support of the bill.



03:50 PM -- Scott Segerstrom, Colorado Youth Corps Association, testified in support of the bill.



03:52 PM -- Mikkel Anderson, Ducks Unlimited, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Anderson discussed Section 8 of the bill and the water foul stamp and the need for an increase of the water foul stamp fee.



03:54 PM -- Denny Beherens, Big Game Forever, testified in support of the bill and discussed the importance of increasing youth and women's involvement in outdoor recreation.



03:57 PM -- Terry Meyers, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society, testified in support of the bill.



03:59 PM -- Ivan James, Colorado Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, testified in support of the bill.



04:01 PM -- Dan Gates, Colorado Trappers, testified in support of the bill.



04:06 PM



Mr. James responded to questions from the committee regarding the support from members of outdoor and outfitting organizations for the bill. Mr. Meyers also responded to questions.



04:08 PM -- Juli Stolli, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



04:11 PM



Mr. Gates responded to questions from the committee regarding the support for the bill from members of his organization.



04:14 PM -- Jim Bensberg, Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition, testified in support of the bill.



04:15 PM -- Dan Schwartz, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



04:17 PM -- Steve Hilde, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



04:20 PM



Representative Arndt moved Amendment L.001 and responded to questions from the committee.

04:25 PM



Representative Arndt explained Amendment L.003. Doug Vilsak, Department of Natural Resources, responded to questions regarding the increase in park entrance fees.

01:17 PM



Committee discussion ensued regarding Amendment L.004 and the division's ability to purchase land and water rights.

04:48 PM



Representative Esgar distributed and explained Amendment L.005 (Attachment G). Committee discussion ensued regarding the amendment.



170417 AttachG.pdf

04:52 PM



Representatives Wilson and Arndt made concluding comments regarding the bill. Committee discussion ensued.