SB14-164 Summary

• Director of Division of Fire Prevention and Control must submit annual reports to the Wildfire Matters Review Committee beginning in 2014, covering wildfire situation status, preparedness, prescribed burns, available resources, and challenges to addressing wildfire threats.

• Division shall establish a Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting within 18 months to evaluate new and existing firefighting technologies, sustainable contracting, and research on aerial firefighting effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability.

• Division must acquire or contract for firefighting aircraft for the 2014 fire season in accordance with recommendations from the March 28, 2014 "Special Report: Colorado Firefighting Air Corps," while retaining flexibility to adjust aircraft type, number, and location based on preparedness levels and appropriations.

• Colorado Firefighting Air Corps Fund is established to receive gifts, grants, reimbursements, investments, bond revenues, sales proceeds, commissions, sponsorships, advertising fees, licensing fees, and donations for aerial firefighting purposes.

• Wildfire Matters Review Committee shall consider creation of a Colorado Wildland and Prescribed Fire Advisory Commission by December 1, 2014, with recommendations to relevant legislative committees regarding composition, term lengths, and required expertise.