Speaker McCluskie, bill co-prime sponsor, introduced and gave opening comments on Senate Bill 23-255. The bill creates the Wolf Depredation Compensation Fund (fund) in Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) in the Department of Natural Resources. Money in the fund is to be used to compensate landowners and agricultural producers that suffer damages when a wolf causes the death or injury of livestock or a working animal, and to implement the Gray Wolf Restoration and Management Plan. CPW may promulgate rules to implement the bill, and rules may include criteria necessary to receive compensation or authorize compensation from the fund for indirect livestock loss.

Representative Catlin, bill co-prime sponsor, gave opening comments on the bill.

The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Ms. Rhonda Dern, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.  

Tyler Garrett, representing Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, testified in support of the bill.  

Ms. Delia Malone, representing themself, testified to amend the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Justin Nolan, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Commissioner Merrit Linke, representing Grand County and Club 20, testified in support of the bill.  

Mr. Ken Spann, representing Gunnison County Stockgrowers Association, testified in support of the bill.  

Mr. Roland Halpern, representing Colorado Voters for Animals, testified in support of the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Dan Gibbs, representing Colorado Department of Natural Resources, testified in support of the bill.  

Gaspar Perricone, representing Colorado Wildlife Conservation Project, testified in support of the bill.  

Mrs. Brita Horn, representing Farm Bureau Routt, testified in support of the bill.  

Bonnie Brown, representing Colorado Wool Growers Association, testified in support of the bill.  

Jennifer Burbey, representing Colorado Outfitters Association, testified in support of the bill.

The panel responded to questions from the committee.  

Mr. James Henderson, representing Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in support of the bill.  

Mr. Philip Anderson, representing Colorado Cattlemens Associstion, testified in support of the bill.  

Callie Hendrickson, representing White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts, testified in support of the bill.

Submitted written testimony can be found in Attachment A.

Speaker McCluskie and Representative Catlin gave closing comments on the bill.

Committee members gave final comments on the bill.