Bill > HB1215

This bill aims to redistribute lottery funds and create new funds to support outdoor recreation, education, and infrastructure in Colorado. The bill highlights the success of the outdoor equity grant program, which has provided transformative outdoor experiences for over 65,000 youth, particularly those from underserved communities. It establishes two new cash funds: the Outdoor Recreation Economic Development Cash Fund and the Strategic Outdoor Recreation Management and Infrastructure Cash Fund. The bill modifies how lottery funds are allocated, with new provisions for fiscal years 2024-25 and beyond, ensuring that money is distributed to various funds including the Outdoor Equity Fund, Public School Capital Construction Assistance Fund, Wildlife Cash Fund, Parks and Outdoor Recreation Cash Fund, and the newly created funds. Specifically, for fiscal years 2024-25 and onward, the bill outlines different allocation percentages depending on the total available funds, with prioritization given to outdoor equity, public school construction, and outdoor recreation development. Additionally, the bill transfers small amounts from various existing state funds to the new Outdoor Recreation Economic Development Cash Fund and provides an appropriation of $723,488 to the Outdoor Recreation Industry Office for the 2025-26 fiscal year, with provisions for unused funds to be carried forward to subsequent years.