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.

Reid DeWalt, representing Colorado Parks and Wildlife, testified in support of the bill. Tim Miller, representing Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in support of the bill. Tyler Garrett, representing Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Thomas Davidson, representing Counties & Commissioners Acting Together (CCAT), testified in support of the bill. The panel responded to 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.