H_RAA_2019A 04/01/2019 01:31:51 PM Committee Summary

Erik Glenn, Executive Director of the Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT), and Larry Kueter, Legal Council for CCALT, came before the committee to give a presentation on conservation easements.  Mr. Glenn discussed the basic elements of conservation easements including eligibility and purpose, impacts, values, and stewardship.  Mr. Kueter discussed the legislative history.  Mr. Glenn and Mr. Kueter responded to committee questions.

Representatives Roberts and Pelton, bill sponsors, presented House Bill 19-1259.  The bill authorizes expenditures for the Colorado Department of Natural Resources for a designated list of projects to conserve native species.  A handout was distributed [Attachment A].

Representatives Roberts and Pelton responded to committee questions concerning funding and success of the program.  Doug Vilsack, Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR), came to the table to respond to committee questions.

Mr. Vilsack, DNR, testified in support of the bill.

Amy Moyer, representing the Colorado Water Conservation Board, testified in support of the bill.

Dianna Orf, representing the Colorado Water Congress, testified in support of the bill.

Representatives Roberts and Pelton made concluding remarks.  Committee members commented on the bill.

Representatives Roberts and Wilson, bill sponsors, presented House Bill 19-1264.  The bill modifies and extends the Conservation Easement Oversight Commission and the conservation easement certification program in the Department of Regulatory Agencies until 2026.

Representatives Wilson and Roberts responded to committee questions.

Valerie Maez, representing herself, testified remotely from Fort Lewis College in opposition to the bill.

Allen Maez, representing himself, testified remotely from Fort Lewis College in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Maez and Ms. Maez responded to committee questions.

Jillane Hixson, representing herself, testified remotely from Lamar Community College in opposition to the bill.

Belinda Groner, representing Heritage Defenders, testified remotely from Lamar Community College in opposition to the bill.

Ms. Groner and Ms. Hixson responded to committee questions.

Jillane Hixson read the testimony of Jim Guire who is in opposition to the bill.

Mack Louden, representing himself, testified remotely from Trinidad State Junior College in opposition to the bill.  Mr. Louden responded to committee questions.

Erik Glenn, representing the CCALT, testified in support of the bill.

Larry Kueter, representing the CCALT, testified in support of the bill.

Emily Ibach, representing the Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Glenn responded to committee questions.

Stacy McPhail, representing the Gunnison Ranch Land Legacy, testified in opposition to the bill.

Lee Hancock, representing the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservation District, testified in support of the bill.

Julie Gentz, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ms. Gentz and Mr. B. Hancock responded to committee questions.

John Salazar, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Jay Fetcher, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Jody Barbar, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Livsey, Mr. Salazar, and Ms. Barber responded to committee questions.

Alan Gentz, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.  Mr. Gentz distributed handouts [Attachments B and C].  

Kevin Ward, representing the U.S. Department of Defence, testified in support of the bill.

Kevin McCarty, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Jim Daus, representing Eagle Valley Land Trust, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout [Attachment D].

Mr. Gentz responded to committee questions.

Merritt Linke, representing CLUB 20, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Ward, Mr. Linke and Mr. McCarty responded to committee questions.

Representatives Wilson and Roberts made concluding remarks.  Committee members commented on the bill.

Representative Roberts responded to committee questions.