This year, the Colorado General Assembly and Governor Jared Polis collaborated to pass several legislative measures focused on wildlife protection, water conservation, and sustainable energy. The initiatives are designed to support the goals outlined in Colorado’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Roadmap.
Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, said, “Partnerships with legislative leaders this session allowed us to take major steps to protect our state’s wildlife, advance clean energy goals, enhance our efforts to engage with our Tribal Nation partners and continue leading the way on water conservation efforts. I want to thank the bi-partisan support and legislative champions of our bills as well as the numerous Coloradans and stakeholders who took time out of their day to support many of our legislative priorities.”
Among the notable legislation is SB25-283, which provides nearly $69 million for water infrastructure projects statewide. This includes funding for Water Plan Grants, irrigated acreage retirement in the South Fork Focus Zone, a statewide turf analysis, water forecasting efforts, updates to the Water Plan, wildfire-ready watershed initiatives, and restoration work at the Yampa River/Walton Creek confluence.
SB25-054 addresses mining reclamation by modernizing regulations and creating a new permit system intended to encourage cleanup of abandoned mines. With over 23,000 abandoned mines across Colorado impacting 1,800 miles of streams due to acid mine drainage pollutants, officials estimate about 5,000 sites could be reclaimed to improve watershed health.
Another measure—HB25-1115—authorizes the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to manage a statewide snowpack measurement program. This will help collect accurate data for managing water resources more effectively.
SB25-040 creates a task force focused on future funding for water needs in light of declining severance tax revenues from oil and gas production. HB25-1014 aims to increase efficiency within the Division of Water Resources by streamlining permitting processes related to wells and groundwater.
In energy policy advancements, HB25-1165 establishes oversight for long-term CO2 storage sites through a dedicated funding structure. It also simplifies geothermal development while protecting historic hot springs.
Wildlife protection received attention through SB25-168—which strengthens enforcement against wildlife trafficking—and HB25-1318 that allocates $5 million toward research and recovery programs for native species at risk. SB25-049 makes permanent the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program that has helped conserve hundreds of thousands of acres since its inception in 2006.
The legislature also passed SB25-053 allowing regulated management of wild bison entering Colorado from Utah’s Book Cliffs region by recognizing their unique status compared with livestock classifications.
Efforts were made toward equity in outdoor access as well. HB25-1163 waives state park entrance fees for enrolled members of Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe as part of reparative action acknowledging ancestral ties to these lands. Additionally, HB25-1215 adjusts lottery fund distribution formulas—boosting funding for outdoor equity grants targeting underserved youth—and creates a strategic recreation management fund within Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
The Long Bill (SB25-206) includes further investments in staffing capacity at state parks and improvements in facilities on state wildlife areas while increasing opportunities for Coloradans’ outdoor access through CPW programs.
More information about these legislative actions can be found at: Colorado Passes Nation-Leading Energy Advancements, Wildlife Protections & Water Conservation Measures.
