Representative Story, sponsor, introduced House Bill 26-1310. The bill transfers money from the Wildfire Mitigation Capacity Development Fund to the Wildfire Resilient Homes Grant Program Cash Fund and outlines specific appropriation requirements.

The sponsor discussed strike-below amendment L.002 (Attachment E) and the accompanying fiscal note memo (Attachment F).

Representative Story distributed a handout (Attachment G).

The sponsor responded to questions from the committee.

Josh Schlossberg, representing Eco-Integrity Alliance, testified in support of the bill. The testimony of Mr. Rocky Smith, representing themself, in support of the bill was read into the record. Mark Novak, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Delaney Rudy, representing Western Watersheds Project, testified in support of the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Emma Donahue, representing Colorado Municipal League, testified in opposition to the bill. Aaron Ray, representing Colorado Department of Natural Resources, testified in opposition to the bill. Courtney Young, representing Colorado Department of Natural Resources, was available to answer committee questions. Mr. Benjamin Yellin, representing Elk Creek Fire Protection District, Conifer Wildland Division, testified in opposition to the bill. Brett Moore, representing Colorado Association of Conservation Districts, testified in opposition to the bill. Alexander Guerra, representing Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, testified in opposition to the bill. Jean Lim, representing Colorado Communities for Climate Action, testified in opposition to the bill. Jarrett Ellis, representing Colorado Department of Natural Resources, was available to answer committee questions. Ms. Jamie Bernstein, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Mr. Andy Hill, representing Denver Water, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Brendan Witt, representing Western Resource Advocates, testified in opposition to the bill. Rob Addington, representing The Nature Conservancy, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Kent Maxwell, representing Colorado Firecamp, testified in opposition to the bill. Commissioner Marsha Porter-Norton, representing La Plata County, testified in opposition to the bill. Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper, representing Jefferson County, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ms. Alli Henderson, representing Center for Biological Diversity, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Alex Markevich, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Scott Hatfield, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mike Rawluk, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Carole Walker, representing Rocky Mountain Insurance Association, testified in support of the bill.

Additional written testimony can be found in Attachment H.