S_AGR_2023A 04/20/2023 01:37:28 PM Committee Summary

Kate Greenberg, Commissioner of Agriculture, introduced the State Agricultural Commission and the commission appointees. Appointees Colleen Peppler, Jeffrey McCullough, Kathryn Bedell, Elena Miller-ter Kuile, and Harrison Topp introduced themselves to the committee and discussed their interest in serving on the commission. Committee members commented on the appointments.

The committee recessed.

The committee reconvened.

Senator Ginal and Senator Will, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-275. The bill creates the Wild Horse Management Project in the Department of Agriculture to operate programs to support the management of wild horses in Colorado. Committee members discussed the bill with the sponsors.

Director of Strategy
Scott Wilson, representing American Wild Horse Campaign, testified in support
of the bill.



Nevada State Director
Tracy Wilson, representing American Wild Horse Campaign, testified in support
of the bill.



Tracy Scott, representing
Steadfast Steeds, testified in support of the bill.

Tessa Archibald,
representing The Homes for Horses Coalition, testified in support of the
bill.  



Board President
Gina Kutturus, representing For the Love of Aria, testified in support
of the bill.  



Colorado Chair
Delia Malone, representing Sierra Club, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Richard Karcich,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.  Andrea
Lonseth, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.  



Ms. Pamela True,
representing Stop Wild Horse Roundups Coalition, testified in opposition
to the bill.  



Mr. William Simpson
II, representing Wild Horse Fire Brigade, testified in opposition to the
bill.  

Mr. Jordan Beezley,
representing Colorado Department of Agriculture, testified to amend the
bill.  



Callie Hendrickson,
representing White River & Douglas Creek Conservation Districts and
Colorado Cattlemen's Association, testified to amend the bill.



Commissioner Jennifer
O'Hearon, representing Rio Blanco County, testified to amend the bill.
 



Mr. Beezley and
the bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

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



Charlotte Roe,
representing Wild Equine League, testified in support of the bill.



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



Dr. Joanna Grossman,
representing Animal Welfare Institute, testified in support of the bill.
 



Executive Director
Kerry Ferguson, representing The Cloud Foundation, testified in support
of the bill.

Mr. Doug Vilsack, representing U.S. Bureau of Land Management, testified in a neutral position on the bill and responded to questions from the committee.

Senators Will and Ginal presented amendments L.003 (Attachment A), L.002 (Attachment B), and L.004 (Attachment C). Additional written testimony on the bill is available as Attachment D.

Senators Will and Ginal wrapped up their presentation of the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.

The committee recessed and reconvened.

The committee recessed.

The committee reconvened.

Senator Cutter, sponsor, presented House Bill 23-1036. The bill creates a two-year Nontoxic Bullet Pilot Program in Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) in the Department of Natural Resources. The bill directs CPW to work with one or more nongovernmental entities to create and promote the program. The program will allow individuals who satisfy certain requirements to receive vouchers to offset the cost of purchasing non-lead bullets. Senator Cutter responded to questions from the committee.

Mr. Roland Halpern,
representing Colorado Voters for Animals, testified in support of the bill
and provided a handout to the committee (Attachment E).



Mrs. Christel
Markevich, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Mr. Halpern responded
to questions from the committee.  



Additional written
testimony on the bill is available as Attachment F.

Senator Cutter wrapped up her presentation of the bill.

Senator Cutter, sponsor, presented House Bill 23-1060. The bill requires upgrades and improvements to the Colorado State Forest Service tree nursery in Fort Collins. Senator Cutter responded to questions from the committee.

Kristin Garrison, representing Colorado State Forest Service, answered committee questions.

The committee recessed.

The committee reconvened.

Senator Jaquez Lewis and Senator Winter, sponsors, wrapped up their presentation of Senate Bill 23-201. The bill modifies the conditions necessary for the approval of forced pooling of oil and gas mineral interests. The committee previously heard testimony on the bill on April 13, 2023.

Committee members commented on the bill.