Senate Bill 13-245 Summary

• Creates the Colorado Firefighting Air Corps (C-FAC) within the Division of Fire Prevention and Control of the Department of Public Safety.

• Authorizes the Division to purchase, acquire, lease, or contract for firefighting aircraft, facilities, equipment, and supplies; retrofit, maintain, staff, and operate aircraft; and fulfill duties through public-private partnerships.

• Establishes the Colorado Firefighting Air Corps Fund in the state treasury, funded by General Assembly appropriations and gifts, grants, reimbursements, or donations from private and public sources.

• Allows the Director to enter into agreements with federal agencies or other states to provide C-FAC aircraft when not in use for Colorado fires or emergencies, with established reimbursement rates credited to the fund.

• Requires the Division to submit a feasibility report to the Joint Budget Committee by April 1, 2014, analyzing whether to continue the C-FAC and whether more effective aerial firefighting alternatives exist.