House Bill 21-1180 Summary

• Establishes a Biomass Utilization Grant Program administered by the Colorado State Forest Service with up to $2.5 million in grants to demonstrate biomass utilization for wildfire mitigation, renewable energy generation, and soil health improvement.

• Authorizes the Forest Service to fund projects demonstrating wildfire prevention and mitigation benefits, energy generation benefits, or agricultural benefits from biochar use through grants financed by the Healthy Forests and Vibrant Communities Fund and gifts or donations.

• Requires the Forest Service to submit annual reports to the Governor and relevant legislative committees describing each funded project, including the type of biomass utilization, geographic area served, and grant amount awarded, with reports posted on the Forest Service website.

• Establishes this program as a temporary measure set to expire and be repealed on September 1, 2026, with mandatory legislative review before repeal under Colorado's regulatory sunset process.

• Takes effect 90 days after the 2021 legislative session adjourns, subject to voter approval if a referendum petition is filed within that period.