H_AWN_2025A 02/24/2025 01:35:30 PM Committee Summary

Speaker McCluskie, bill sponsor, introduced Senate Bill 25-038. The bill requires that the personal information of any individual requesting compensation from Colorado Parks and Wildlife for damages caused by wildlife or for nonlethal prevention measures be kept confidential. This includes information about site assessments conducted by state officials and third parties to prevent future depredation. This information is not subject to the Colorado Open Records Act.

Mr. Ryan Sedgeley, representing Endangered Species Coalition, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Mark Surls, representing Project Coyote, testified in opposition to the bill. The panelists answered questions from the committee.

Mr. Jordan Beezley, representing Colorado Department of Agriculture, testified in support of the bill. Erin Karney, representing Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, testified in support of the bill. Merrit Linke, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Kathleen Curry, representing Gunnison County Stockgrowers Association, testified in support of the bill. The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Jason Isenhart, representing
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, answered committee questions. Monty Franklin,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Additional written
testimony can be found in Attachment A.

The bill sponsor gave closing comments on the bill.

Committee members gave closing comments on the bill.

Representative Stewart, K. and Representative Taggart, co-prime sponsors, introduced House Bill 25-1163. The bill allows for enrolled members of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe to access any Colorado state park without paying an entrance fee. Members of the tribes must present a current tribal identification card with an intact photo.

Mr. Manuel Heart, representing Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Marvin Pinnecoose, representing Southern Ute Indian Tribe, testified in support of the bill. Donna Chrisjohn, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Heather Disney Dugan, representing Colorado Parks and Wildlife, testified in support of the bill. Tahlia Bear, representing Western Resource Advocates, testified in support of the bill. Stacy Coleman, representing Colorado Department of Natural Resources, testified in support of the bill. The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Mr. Tykee James, representing Conservation Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Izabella Ruffino, representing The Nature Conservancy Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Melissa Charnes, representing Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Lewis TallBull, representing
themself, testified to amend the bill. Rick Williams, representing themself,
testified to amend the bill. Jennifer Wolf, representing themself, testified
to amend the bill. Teddy McCullough, representing themself, testified to
amend the bill. Ms. Lynnette Greybull, representing Not Our Native Daughters,
testified to amend the bill. The panelists responded to questions from
the committee.



Additional written
testimony can be found as Attachment B.

The bill sponsors gave closing comments on the bill.