2014
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 14-032
       
       
       BY SENATOR(S) King, Crowder, Herpin, Jahn, Jones, Kefalas, Kerr,
       Lambert, Newell, Rivera, Roberts, Schwartz, Tochtrop, Todd;
       also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Gardner, Becker, Buck, Buckner, Conti,
       Coram, Court, DelGrosso, Dore, Everett, Exum, Fields, Fischer, Foote,
       Garcia, Gerou, Ginal, Hamner, Holbert, Hullinghorst, Humphrey, Joshi,
       Kagan, Kraft-Tharp, Labuda, Landgraf, Lawrence, Lebsock, Lee, May,
       McCann, McLachlan, McNulty, Melton, Mitsch Bush, Moreno, Murray,
       Navarro, Nordberg, Pabon, Peniston, Pettersen, Primavera, Priola,
       Rankin, Rosenthal, Ryden, Saine, Salazar, Schafer, Scott, Singer,
       Sonnenberg, Stephens, Swalm, Szabo, Tyler, Vigil, Waller, Williams,
       Wilson, Wright, Young, Ferrandino.
       
       
          CONCERNING THE COMMUNICATION OF WILDLAND
       FIREFIGHTING BEST PRACTICES BETWEEN THE
       GOVERNMENTS OF CALIFORNIA AND COLORADO TO AID IN
       THE CONTINUED ADVANCEMENT OF THE STATES'
       FIREFIGHTING PROGRAMS. 
       
       
       
          WHEREAS, Coloradans are proud to live among the most varied and
       wild natural landscapes in the world; and
       
          WHEREAS, Wildfires in Colorado are a natural occurrence in these
       landscapes, and though they can help restore healthy forest ecosystems,
       wildfires are also potentially dangerous to life and property; and
       
          WHEREAS, The occurrence of wildfires throughout the state has
       increased over the last decade, resulting in billions of dollars spent in fire
       suppression efforts and billions more in insurance claims for lost
       property; and
       
          WHEREAS, Projections show that wildfire occurrences will continue
       to rise in the future, so it is important that the state immediately address
       this issue and focus on preparing for future outcomes; and
       
          WHEREAS, Colorado firefighting agencies would benefit greatly
       from being able to access information on best practices, which are tested,
       up-to-date, efficient, and effective techniques for controlling fires and
       protecting lives and property; and
       
          WHEREAS, As Colorado's firefighting strategies evolve to meet the
       needs of the state, it is important that we make connections with other
       states that have experience with similar wildfire strategies; and
       
          WHEREAS, The California Department of Forestry and Fire
       Protection, known as CAL FIRE, has been skillfully fighting fires within
       the state for over 100 years, has taken the initiative to develop the only
       state-run firefighting air fleet in the United States, and could be an
       invaluable source of support and information as Colorado looks to hone
       its firefighting resources; and
       
          WHEREAS, CAL FIRE has utilized aircraft to fight fire within its
       borders since the 1950s, possesses 23 air tankers, 11 helicopters, and 14
       air tactical aircraft for use in fighting wildfires, and has an annual budget
       of approximately $650 million; and
       
          WHEREAS, In preparing for its future firefighting resource needs,
       Colorado would benefit from an open line of communication with CAL
       FIRE to learn their best practices for using ground and aviation resources
       to fight wildfires; and
       
          WHEREAS, California fire officials recognize that California has a
       unique bond with Colorado through long-standing water use agreements
       and can reciprocate such resource sharing by communicating their best
       practices for fighting wildfires; and
       
          WHEREAS, The Colorado River Basin is a vital component of the
       Western United States' water supply, providing much-needed water to
       millions of people in California, which receives 27% of the total water
       from the Colorado River, with Southern California in particular receiving
       approximately 60% of its water from the Colorado River; and
       
          WHEREAS, California and Colorado both benefit in the immediate
       and long-term future from establishing and maintaining open lines of
       communication and resource sharing; now, therefore,
       
          Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Sixty-ninth General Assembly of
       the State of Colorado, the House of Representatives concurring herein:
       
          (1)  That the general assembly recognizes that:
       
          (a) Wildfires within the state come at a high cost and are a significant
       danger to life and property;
       
          (b)  It is important to use best practices when planning for future fire
       seasons;
       
          (c)  California can provide important information regarding best
       practices in combating wildfires; and
       
          (d)  An open line of communication should be established and
       maintained between the governments of California and Colorado to aid
       in the continued advancement of the states' firefighting programs.
       
          Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this Joint Resolution be sent to
       Governor John Hickenlooper, California Governor Jerry Brown, CAL
       FIRE Director Ken Pimlott, National Director of Fire and Aviation        Management for the U.S. Forest Service Tom Harbour, each member of
       California's state legislature and congressional delegation, and to each
       member of Colorado's congressional delegation.
       
       
       
       
       
       ____________________________  ____________________________
       Morgan Carroll                       Mark Ferrandino
       PRESIDENT OF                    SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
       THE SENATE                        OF REPRESENTATIVES
       
       
       
       
       
       
       ____________________________  ____________________________
       Cindi Markwell                        Marilyn Eddins
       SECRETARY OF                CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE
       THE SENATE                        OF REPRESENTATIVES