Bill > SB007

This bill establishes a Prescribed Fire Claims Cash Fund to support prescribed burning activities in Colorado and provide financial protection for damages that might result from such burns. The bill creates a new fund in the state treasury that can receive gifts, grants, donations, and legislative appropriations, with an initial transfer of $250,000 from the general fund in July 2025. The fund will allow claimants to seek compensation for suppression costs and damages resulting from prescribed burns, with a maximum payment of either $20,000 or 10% of the fund's total balance for any single burn. To be eligible for a claim, the prescribed burn must be conducted by a certified prescribed burn manager, comply with all state regulations, and have a registered written prescription plan. Claimants must file claims within 60 days of the burn's completion and, upon receiving payment, waive future claims against the burn manager and associated parties. The bill also modifies existing laws to clarify certification requirements for burners, allowing for reciprocity with other state certifications, and expands the definition of costs that electric utilities can include in their rate considerations to cover wildfire mitigation efforts. Additionally, the bill appropriates $403,025 for the 2025-26 fiscal year to support the implementation of these new provisions, including funding for administrative personnel and wildland fire management services.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-007