SB 20-201: Species Conservation Trust Fund Projects

• Authorizes the executive director of the department of natural resources to obligate and expend $1,500,000 from the species conservation trust fund in fiscal year 2020-21 for eligible conservation activities and programs.

• Allocates funds as follows: $454,505 for native terrestrial wildlife conservation, $295,495 for native aquatic wildlife conservation, $670,000 for the Platte River recovery implementation program, and $80,000 for selenium management, research, monitoring, evaluation, and control.

• Designates funds for programs that conserve native species listed as threatened or endangered under state or federal law, candidate species, and species likely to become candidates as determined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

• Requires the species conservation eligibility list prepared by the executive director (after consulting with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Parks and Wildlife Commission, and Division of Parks and Wildlife) to be adopted through legislative action before funds can be obligated.

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