S_AGR_2023A 02/09/2023 01:35:25 PM Committee Summary

Senator Baisley and Senator Roberts, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-059. The bill creates the State Park and Wildlife Area Access Grant Program, diverts Keep Colorado Wild Pass revenue to the program, and authorizes the collection of fees to support local governments with the cost of maintaining access routes to state parks and wildlife areas. Senator Roberts announced that the bill would be laid over after hearing testimony.

Mrs. Gini Pingenot, representing Colorado Counties, Inc. (CCI), testified in support of the bill. Ms. Amy Mitchell, representing Park County and CCI, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Darrell Evig, representing Park County Public Works, testified in support of the bill.

Commissioner Keith Baker, representing Chaffee County and CCI, testified in support of the bill. Commissioner Tim Corrigan, representing Routt County and CCI, testified in support of the bill. The commissioners responded to questions from the committee.

Tim Mauck, representing Colorado Department of Natural Resources, testified in opposition to the bill. Heather Dugan, representing Colorado Parks and Wildlife, testified in opposition to the bill. The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Commissioner Bob Campbell, representing Teller County and CCI, testified in support of the bill.

Commissioner Dan Williams, representing Teller County and CCI, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Nabil Saweeres, representing Black Tree Resort, Inc., testified in support of the bill. Commissioner Warren Brown, representing Archuleta County, testified in support of the bill.

Dianna Orf, representing Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Chuck Telotte, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Summit County Commissioner Josh Blanchard, representing Northwest Colorado Council of Goverments Water Quality/Quantity Committee, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Roberts wrapped up his presentation of the bill. The chair laid the bill over for future action.

Senator Ginal and Senator Pelton R., co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-044 to the committee. The bill transfers funds to the Veterinarian Education Loan Repayment Program and makes the following changes to the program:

• allows the council to select six applicants for loan forgiveness, up from four in current law;
• increases the total amount that selected applicants may receive over four years to $90,000 in loan forgiveness, up from $70,000; and
• removes the requirement that applicants have graduated from an accredited veterinary medicine school in 2017 or later.

The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Dr. Callie Kuntz, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mrs. Ali Mickelson, representing American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Tyler Garrett, representing Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Rachel Heatley, representing Dumb Friends League, testified in support of the bill. Leo Boyle, representing Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, testified in support of the bill. John Stocking, representing Colorado State University, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Stocking responded to questions from the committee.

Senators Ginal and Pelton R. wrapped up their presentation of the bill.  Written testimony on the bill is included as Attachment A.

Senator Simpson and Senator Roberts, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-050 to the committee. The bill expands the definition of different eligible entities for the Colorado Agricultural Future Loan Program and extends the program indefinitely.

Tyler Garrett, representing Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, testified in support of the bill. Mrs. Sarah Hinkley, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Brian Coppom, representing Colorado Department of Agriculture, testified in support of the bill.

Senators Simpson and Roberts wrapped up their presentation of the bill. Written testimony on the bill is provided as Attachment B.