HB 18-1008 Summary

• Creates an aquatic nuisance species stamp requirement for motorboats and sailboats operating on Colorado waters, costing $25 for registered Colorado vessels and $50 for non-resident or exempted vessels (with Colorado resident exception at $25).

• Increases penalties for violating aquatic nuisance species prohibitions, raising first offense fines from $150 to $500, maintaining second offense misdemeanor at $1,000, and third/subsequent offenses as class 2 misdemeanors.

• Consolidates two separate aquatic nuisance species funds into a single "Division of Parks and Wildlife Aquatic Nuisance Species Fund" to finance the state's aquatic nuisance species prevention, containment, and eradication program.

• Establishes new criminal penalties for failing to comply with vessel inspections, launching without obtaining inspection at check stations, or failing to purchase required stamps, each punishable by $100 fine.

• Allows the Division to charge conveyance owners for costs incurred in storing and decontaminating impounded vessels, with all revenues directed to the aquatic nuisance species fund.