SB13-083 Summary: Colorado Prescribed Burning Act

• Establishes a prescribed burning program within the Division of Fire Prevention and Control to reduce wildfire risk by managing vegetative fuels in forests and grasslands.

• Requires the Director to adopt rules and standards for prescribed burn manager certification, training, and implementation, with standards based on National Wildfire Coordinating Group guidelines and the Interagency Prescribed Fire Planning and Implementation Procedures Guide.

• Mandates that at least one certified prescribed burn manager or National Wildfire Coordinating Group-qualified prescribed burn boss be present during and after prescribed burns to ensure confinement to predetermined areas.

• Exempts private landowners from certification requirements to conduct prescribed burns on their own property, but provides liability protection only if they comply with applicable state laws and local ordinances and do not act with gross negligence or willful misconduct.

• Appropriates $4,635 in federal funds to the Department of Law for fiscal year 2013-2014 to provide legal services related to implementing the prescribed burning program.