CO SB188

Authorizes the executive director of the Department of Natural Resources to obligate and expend $6,500,000 from the Species Conservation Trust Fund in fiscal year 2014-15 for nine specific conservation programs and species.

Funds designated for: Selenium management ($500,000), Yampa basin nonnative species control ($500,000), Morgan bottom habitat restoration ($500,000), native fish passage design and construction ($500,000), native terrestrial wildlife conservation ($638,000), native aquatic wildlife conservation ($1,012,000), Colorado natural areas program ($350,000), native species management and propagation ($1,000,000), and federal endangered species act litigation ($1,500,000).

Establishes transfers from the Severance Tax Operational Fund to the Species Conservation Trust Fund: $6.5 million for fiscal year 2014-15, $5 million for 2015-16, $5 million for 2016-17, $5 million for 2017-18, and $5 million for 2018-19, with each transfer provision repealing at specified dates.

Appropriates $163,944 and 1.0 FTE to the Department of Law for fiscal year 2014-15 to provide legal services for implementation of the act, funded from the Department of Natural Resources appropriation.

Declares the act necessary for immediate preservation of public peace, health, and safety.