NOTE: The governor signed this measure on 3/22/2016.
      
      
      HOUSE BILL 16-1019
      
      
      BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Becker K., Buck, Hamner, Singer, Thurlow,
      Arndt, Danielson, Fields, Ginal, Kraft-Tharp, Lebsock, Lee, Leonard,
      Lontine, Mitsch Bush, Rosenthal, Salazar, Tyler, Vigil, Young,
      Hullinghorst, Brown, Saine;
      also SENATOR(S) Jones and Roberts, Baumgardner, Cooke, Merrifield,
      Aguilar, Crowder, Donovan, Grantham, Guzman, Heath, Holbert,
      Johnston, Kefalas, Lundberg, Marble, Martinez Humenik, Neville T.,
      Newell, Todd, Ulibarri, Woods, Cadman.
      
      
      Concerning increased authority to use broadcast burning as a
           tool to promote watershed restoration.
      
      
      Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
      
           SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-31-313, amend (3)
      (g) (IV) and (6) (a) (II) as follows:
      
           23-31-313.  Healthy forests - vibrant communities - funds
      created - repeal. (3)  Definitions. As used in this section, unless the
      context otherwise requires:
      
           (g)  "Wildfire risk mitigation" or "fuel mitigation treatments" means
      preventive forest management projects or actions, which meet or exceed
      forest service standards or any other applicable state rules, that are designed
      to reduce the potential for unwanted impacts caused by wildfires,
      including:
      
           (IV)  The secondary treatment of woody fuels by lopping and
      scattering, piling, chipping, removing from the site, broadcast burning,
      or prescribed burning; and
      
           (6)  Community watershed restoration. (a)  In order to support
      communities and land managers in moving from risk reduction to
      long-term ecological restoration so that the underlying condition of
      Colorado's forests supports a variety of values, particularly public water
      supply and high-quality wildlife habitat, the forest service shall:
      
           (II)  Facilitate and work collaboratively with the division of fire
      prevention and control, landowners, local governments, including
      conservation districts created pursuant to article 70 of title 35, C.R.S., and
      county noxious weed program administrators and other appropriate parties,
      including any electric, gas, and water utilities in the affected area, to design
      prescribed fire and fuel mitigation treatment projects and to
      encourage increased responsible use of prescribed fire and fuel
      mitigation treatments as a tool for restoring healthy forest conditions
      consistent with programs established pursuant to section 25-7-106 (7) and
      (8), C.R.S., and section 24-33.5-1217, C.R.S. The forest service shall
      emphasize providing training and technical assistance for landowners, local
      communities, and state agencies.
      
           SECTION 2.  Applicability. This act applies to conduct occurring
      on or after the effective date of this act.
      
           SECTION 3.  Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,
      determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
      preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.
      
      
      
      
      ________________________________________________________
      Dickey Lee Hullinghorst                Bill L. Cadman
      SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE                     PRESIDENT OF
      OF REPRESENTATIVES                         THE SENATE
      
      
      
      
      
      
      ____________________________  ____________________________
      Marilyn Eddins                            Effie Ameen
      CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE                 SECRETARY OF
      OF REPRESENTATIVES                         THE SENATE
      
      
      
      
                  APPROVED________________________________________
      
      
      
      
      
                                    _________________________________________
                                    John W. Hickenlooper
                                    GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO