Skip to main content
First Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For UPDATE FROM COLORADO STATE FOREST SERVICE

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, & WATER
Date Apr 25, 2022       Location HCR 0107

Update from Colorado State Forest Service - Committee Discussion Only
02:25:03 PM  
Matt McCombs, Director of Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) and the State Forester, introduced the presentation.  The following handouts were distributed to the committee:
- Five Year Strategic Plan, which can be found here: https://csfs.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/CSFS-StrategicPlan-2016-2020.pdf
- The Home Ignition Zone, which can be found here: https://csfs.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021_CSFS_HIZGuide_Web.pdf

He briefed the committee on the 2021 Report on the Health on Colorado's Forests, which can be found online here: https://csfs.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2021_Forest_Health_Report.pdf
02:29:26 PM  
Director McCombs discussed the activities of CSFS and the need to maintain forest health.  He discussed the relationship between water resources and forest health and how dry, warm weather has stressed forests in Colorado.
02:32:41 PM  
Director McCombs spoke about investing in Colorado's forests, including the different grant programs that are currently available and the current projects that the grants are funding.
02:37:01 PM  
Frank Beum, Deputy Regional Director of the Rocky Mountain Region of the US Forest Service (USFS) spoke about his role, the role of the USFS in Colorado, and their main priorities.
02:44:47 PM  
Director Beum discussed the potential for wildfire, wildfire assessments, and drought monitoring.  He discussed the federal infrastructure bill, including how it addresses wildfire risk reduction, the national forest system, state and private forest industry, and research and development.  
02:47:19 PM  
Director Beum spoke about the next steps for his agency and the plan for long-term forest maintenance. He discussed the Colorado Front Range Project and high-risk firesheds.
02:49:12 PM  
Director Beum told the committee about disaster relief funding and recreation in the national forests in Colorado.
02:51:18 PM  
Molly Pitts, Executive Director of the Colorado Timber Industry Association, spoke about her organization's role in Colorado. She told the committee about the risks the forests are facing and the need to invest in forest management.  She distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment A).
02:52:48 PM  
Director Pitts thanked the committee for investing in Colorado forests and helping to fund the different grant programs.  She spoke about forest products and employing individuals in the timber industry.
02:55:28 PM  

Lyle Laverty, Association of Consulting Foresters, spoke about his role and his experience in the forest industry. He discussed the impacts of the recent large fires in Colorado and how Colorado can work to recover.  He distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment B).
02:59:32 PM  
The presenters responded to questions from the committee members.
03:13:25 PM  
Questions continued.
03:25:11 PM  
Questions continued.