Bill > HB1132

This bill aims to increase pollinator habitats by promoting the conservation and use of native plant material on state-owned lands and in state projects. It defines "covered agencies" as specific state departments and offices, including the State Forest Service, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Personnel, and Department of Transportation, and encourages them to prioritize "ecoregionally specific" native plants, meaning those suited to particular environmental regions, when available, financially viable, and beneficial for plant diversity, pollinator habitat, wildfire mitigation, climate resilience, and watershed health. The bill mandates that these agencies balance native plant use with other priorities like wildfire risk reduction and species protection, consider ecological suitability and site conditions, and aim for diverse plant species with overlapping bloom periods and varied structures to support pollinators throughout the growing season. Furthermore, covered agencies are required to set five- and ten-year goals for native plant use in their projects and coordinate purchasing to increase demand, reduce costs, and ensure supply. The bill also directs the State Architect's office to support pollinator health on state properties by maximizing native and pollinator-friendly plants in landscape designs, modifying design guidelines, and promoting pesticide-free practices. Finally, it mandates a study on the availability of native plants in Colorado to identify supply chain weaknesses, grower concerns, and opportunities for improvement, with a report due by August 1, 2031, to guide future strategies for increasing native plant production and use.