HB 19-1259 Summary

• Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to obligate and expend $3,900,000 from the Species Conservation Trust Fund in fiscal year 2019-20 for five conservation programs: native terrestrial wildlife conservation ($615,500), native aquatic wildlife conservation ($839,000), Platte River recovery implementation program ($1,940,000), Colorado River basin native fish recovery programs ($205,500), and Federal Endangered Species Act litigation program ($300,000).

• Transfers $600,000 from the Colorado Water Conservation Board Construction Fund to the Species Conservation Trust Fund capital account on July 1, 2019, with this transfer requirement repealing effective July 1, 2021.

• Requires the state treasurer to transfer $5,000,000 annually from the severance tax operational fund to the Species Conservation Trust Fund for state fiscal years commencing July 1, 2019 through July 1, 2023, with this provision repealing effective July 1, 2025.

• Designates the act as necessary for immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.