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J_CDC_2023A 12/13/2023 09:05:47 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Date 12/13/2023
Attendance
Lindsay X
Mullica X
Simpson X
Weinberg E
Story X
Hinrichsen X
Time 09:05:47 AM to 04:21:51 PM
Place SCR 357
This Meeting was called to order by Hinrichsen
This Report was prepared by Nina Forbes
Hearing Items Action Taken
Overview of FY 2024-25 Capital Construction Requests and Available Revenue Committee Discussion Only
Office of State Planning and Budgeting Committee Discussion Only
Colorado Commission on Higher Education Committee Discussion Only
Colorado Mesa University Committee Discussion Only
Fort Lewis College Committee Discussion Only
Colorado School of Mines Committee Discussion Only
Department of Natural Resources Three Property Transactions Approved
Colorado Department of Transportation Committee Discussion Only
Auraria Higher Education Center Committee Discussion Only
Metropolitan State University of Denver Committee Discussion Only
Adams State University Committee Discussion Only
Colorado School of the Deaf and the Blind Committee Discussion Only
Department of Local Affairs Committee Discussion Only

09:05:50 AM
The chair gave opening remarks.



Overview of FY 2024-25 Capital Construction Requests and Available Revenue - Committee Discussion Only
09:06:22 AM  

Bo Pogue and Matt Bishop, Legislative Council Staff, gave opening remarks. Mr. Pogue gave an overview of the committee's tours during the interim, an overview of the capital request process and timeline, an overview of the documents distributed to the committee, and described a memo on the FY 2024-25 capital budget requests and projected available revenue (Attachment A). Mr. Bishop commented on the capital budget and pointed out some changes in returning projects.

09:27:55 AM  
Vice Chair Stoy and Chair Hinrichsen gave comments on the total requested need versus the likely amount funded and the growing need for capital investment.



Office of State Planning and Budgeting - Committee Discussion Only
09:32:20 AM  
Mark Ferrendino,
Dirctor of the Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB), introduced
himself as well as Adrian Leiter, Deputy Director for Budget, and Tammy
Pacheco, Capital & Budget Manager. OSPB's presentation is included
as Attachment B. Director Ferrendino gave an overview of the needs versus
funding available. He gave an overview of the budget picture and how it
impacted the recommended amount. He explained that OSPB is recommending
Controlled Maintenance Level 1, and COP payments, as well as projects involving
life safety, ADA investments, workforce development, and greening government.
 
09:46:13 AM  
Director Ferrandino
and Ms. Pacheco answered questions from the committee.
09:46:29 AM  
Ms. Pacheco answered additional questions from the committee on project ranking.
09:47:06 AM  
Director Ferrendino answered additional questions about controlled maintenance funding.



Colorado Commission on Higher Education - Committee Discussion Only
09:50:53 AM  
Kennedy Evans, Lead
Financial Analyst, Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and Eric Tucker,
Commissioner of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) introduced
themselves. Mr. Tucker gave opening remarks on CCHE's prioritization. Ms.
Evans gave an overview of CCHE's prioritization process and the rubric.
Ms. Evans explained that the rubric will be re-worked in January, which
will include legislative input. Kennedy explained CDHE's timeline when
ranking projects.  
09:59:54 AM  
Ms. Evans answered questions from the committee.
10:01:51 AM  
Lauren Gilliland,
CDHE Deputy Chief Financial Officer, also answered questions from the committee.
10:04:23 AM  
The committee took a brief recess.



Colorado Mesa University - Committee Discussion Only
10:47:58 AM  
John Marshall, President,
Colorado Mesa University, introduced himself and began his presentation
(Attachment C). President Marshall went over the Moss Performing Arts Center
continuation project. He also went over the expansion of the computer engineering
building, which is the school's second priority.  
10:58:02 AM  
President Marshall responded to questions from the committee.



Fort Lewis College - Committee Discussion Only
11:05:07 AM  
President Tom Stritikus,
Fort Lewis College, introduced himself and began his presentation (Attachment
D). President Stritikus explained the Southwest Campus Renewal project.
He explained the need for the projecty, the importance of funding rural
institutions, taking care of existing facilities, and equity.
11:18:27 AM  
President Stritikus answered questions from the committee.



Colorado School of Mines - Committee Discussion Only
11:24:48 AM  
President Paul Johnson,
introduced himself and began the Colorado School of Mines presentation
(Attachment E). President Johnson went over the school's history, enrollment,
and student success. Kirsten Volpi, Executive Vice President, introduced
herself and presented on Mine's Utilities Infrastructure project request.
Ms. Volpi also went over the Arthur Lakes Library request. Ms. Volpi went
into more detail on the utilities infrastructure request and the library
request.
11:43:50 AM  
Ms. Volpi answered questions from the committee.
11:44:39 AM  
President Johnson also responded to questions from the committee.
11:54:12 AM  
Ms. Volpi and President Johnson continued to answer questions from the committee.
11:54:32 AM  
The committee took a recess for lunch.



Department of Natural Resources - Three Property Transactions Approved

01:11:36 PM  
The committee returned
to order.  Jeff Davis, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) director,
Justin Rutter, CPW Wildlife Budget Director, and Margaret Taylor, CPW Capital
Development Program Director, presented the Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) FY 2024-25 capital requests. CPW distributed fact sheets, which are
included as Attachment F. Mr. Davis provided opening remarks on the department
and its activities. Mr. Rutter provided an overview of DNR's two annual
line items:  (1) Infrastructure and Real Property Maintenance; and
(2) Property Acquisition and Improvements.  Ms. Taylor responded to
questions regarding improvements to be made to the Highline State Park
dam, and decontaminating aquatic nuisance species.
01:34:03 PM  
Daphne Gervais, Director
of Legislative Affairs for DNR, presented three property transaction proposals,
starting with the Hohnholz Lake State Wildlife Area Lease Renewal request.
 Committee members received a packet of information on the proposal,
assembled by Legislative Council Staff (Attachment G).


01:37:39 PM
 Motion Recommend support for the lease renewal for the Hohnholz Lakes State Wildlife Area ($56,000 per year for 20 years plus
annual CPI increases).
Moved Story
Seconded
Lindsay Yes
Mullica Yes
Simpson Yes
Weinberg Excused
Story Yes
Hinrichsen Yes
YES: 5   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS
01:37:46 PM  
Ms. Gervais presented
the Elk Creek State Wildife Area Conservation Easement and Access Easement.
 Committee members received a packet of information on the proposal,
assembled by Legislative Council Staff (Attachment H).  Ms. Kimberly
Rogers, CPW Real Estate Section Manager, responded to questions regarding
the arrangement for the easements whereby a third party holds the easements.
 Johnathan Lambert, CPW Area Wildlife Manager, responded to questions
regarding whether the owner of the property on which the easements will
be placed will continue to conduct commercial hunting operations on the
property.  Senator Mullica made comments on this arrangement.  Discussion
ensued on this point, as well as the former point.  Ms. Rogers responded
to questions regarding how third parties manage state-owned easements.


01:55:03 PM
 Motion Recommend support for the contribution of funding assistance for a conservation easement to be held by the Colorado
Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust ($2,500,000 for 9,309 acres) and the acquisition of a perpetual public access easement ($0
for 9,309 acres) for the Elk Creek State Wildlife Area.
Moved Story
Seconded
Lindsay Yes
Mullica No
Simpson Yes
Weinberg Excused
Story No
Hinrichsen Yes
YES: 3   NO: 2   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS
01:55:10 PM  
Ms. Gervais presented
the Collard Ranch State Wildlife Area Fee Title Acquisition property transaction
proposal.  Committee members received a packet of information on the
proposal, assembled by Legislative Council Staff (Attachment I).  Senator
Mullica provided his position on the proposal.  Mark Lamb, CPW Area
Wildlife Manager, explained the layout of the property to be acquired.


02:03:41 PM
 Motion Recommend support for the fee title purchase of the two parcels, the Collard Ranch property ($8,250,000 for 1,860 acres) and
the Michigan Creek parcel ($0 for 120 acres).
Moved Story
Seconded
Lindsay Yes
Mullica Yes
Simpson Excused
Weinberg Excused
Story Yes
Hinrichsen Yes
YES: 4   NO: 0   EXC: 2   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



Colorado Department of Transportation - Committee Discussion Only
02:04:26 PM  
John Lorme, Director
of Maintenance and Operations; Michael Chapman, Winter Operations Program
Manager; and Emily Haddaway, Legislative Liaison, Department of Transportation
(CDOT), presented the Vail Pass Supporting Structures Avalanche Defense
on I-70 FY 2024-25 capital construction request. CDOT's presentation is
included as Attachment J.  Mr. Lorme provided opening remarks on the
request, Ms. Haddaway commented on a recent change to the funding arrangement
for the project, and Mr. Chapman provided details on the project.  Discussion
ensued regarding moneys that will be dedicated to avalanche mitigation
at other mountain passes, and the connection with the Vail Pass project.
 Bo Pogue responded to questions on potential scope change for the
project.  Mr. Lorme responded to questions regarding funding streams
for avalanche mitigation infrastructure, and how explosives are handled
for avalanche mitigation.  Discussion followed regarding fuel-air
explosions for avalanche mitigation.



Auraria Higher Education Center - Committee Discussion Only
02:30:15 PM  
Colleen Walker, Chief
Executive Officer, Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC), presented the
center's FY 2024-25 capital construction requests. Ms. Walker provided
an overview of AHEC, its mission, and its population, and discussed the
Auraria Campus Safety Center project. Committee members received a packet
of slides forming the basis for the presentation (Attachment K).  Ms.
Walker led the committee through the presentation. Carl Meese, AHEC Facilities
Management, discussed some issues with respect to the size of the current
safety center. Discussion ensued regarding the role of the campus police
force in an urban environment, and the potential for phasing the Auraria
Campus Safety Center project. Ms. Walker responded to questions regarding
the position of AHEC's constituent higher education institutions on the
project.



Metropolitan State University of Denver - Committee Discussion Only

02:53:48 PM  
Janine Davidson,
President, and Maluwa Behringer, Executive Director of Industry Partnerships,
Metropolitan State University Denver (MSUD), presented the university's
FY 2024-25 capital construction requests. President Davidson read a statement
about the university and the impact of its capital projects on MSUD's student
body. Ms. Behringer explained the role of her office in enabling workforce
and education opportunities for AHEC students, alumni, and faculty. President
Davidson provided an overview of the Health Institute Tower project. President
Davidson responded to questions regarding the location of the proposed
tower. A handout on the C2 Hub project is included as Attachment L and
a handout on the Health Institute Tower is included as Attachment M.  



Adams State University - Committee Discussion Only
03:08:50 PM  
Dr. David Tandberg,
President; Bruce Del Tondo, Director of Construction Management; and Kevin
Daniel, Vice President of Administration and CIO, Adams State University
(ASU), presented the university's FY 2024-25 capital request:  Facility
Services Center Replacement. Committee members received a packet of presentation
slides (Attachment N). President Tandberg walked the committee through
the slides, providing an overview of the project and its need. Mr. Del
Tondo provided additional information on the Facilities Services Center
Replacement project. President Tandberg provided an update on trends at
ASU. President Tandberg responded to questions regarding the location of
the project with respect to the campus, and the potential for incorporating
solar panels in the project.  President Tandberg responded to further
questions regarding the source of cash funds for the project, ASU's debt
load, and the outlook for paying off the debt. Mr. Del Tondo provided input
on this issue, and responded to questions regarding the ability to phase
the Facility Services Center Replacement project. Discussion ensued regarding
the facility condition index rating for the building, and how often buildings
are rated.



Colorado School of the Deaf and the Blind - Committee Discussion Only

03:39:52 PM  
Tara Spangler, Superintendent;
Jennifer Thompson, Preschool Director; Jamie Lugo, Blind School Principal;
Beth Oliver, Controller; and Mike Nero, Facilities Director, Colorado School
for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB), presented CSDB's FY 2024-25 capital
request: West Hall Renovation and Addition. CSDB's slides are included
as Attachment O and a handout is included as Attachment P. Ms. Spangler
provided an overview of the project.  Ms. Lugo discussed the population
served by the school and the impact of CSDB's capital challenges on programming.
 Ms. Thompson discussed the need to improve the Early Education Center.
Mr. Nero discussed the condition of West Hall, and explained the impact
of not funding the project. Mr. Nero responded to questions regarding the
funding arrangement for the project. Discussion ensued on this issue. Ms.
Thompson responded to questions regarding the waitlist to attend CSDB.



Department of Local Affairs - Committee Discussion Only
04:07:09 PM  
Kristen Tombs, Director
of the Office of Homeless Initiatives, and Bruce Eisenhauer, Legislative
Liaison, Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), presented the department's
FY 2024-25 capital request: Decentralized Fort Lyon Building Heating (Capital
Renewal). Mr. Eisenhauer provided introductory remarks, and Ms. Tombs provided
an overview of the project and the programming conducted at Fort Lyon.
Ms. Tombs responded to questions regarding the arrangement between DOLA
and the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless to run Fort Lyon. Mr. Eisenhauer
and Ms. Tombs provided input on the potential for phasing the project.


04:21:51 PM   The committee adjourned.






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