Senate Bill 21-245 Summary

• Establishes a comprehensive legal framework for backcountry search and rescue services in Colorado, defining the scope of activities including locating lost individuals, accessing injured persons, body recovery, hazard mitigation, medical care, and training.

• Creates a study requirement for the Division of Parks and Wildlife to assess challenges in backcountry search and rescue operations, examining coordination structures, worker compensation, retirement benefits, equipment funding, physical and psychological support needs, governmental immunity, training requirements, and public safety education.

• Mandates outreach and training programs across Colorado focused on physical and psychological stress injuries affecting backcountry search and rescue volunteers, with options to develop grant programs or other support services.

• Expands the existing backcountry search and rescue fund through surcharges on hunting and fishing licenses, vessel/snowmobile/off-highway vehicle registrations, and a Colorado outdoor recreation card (cost: $3 for one-year card, $2 deposited to fund).

• Appropriates $216,070 to the Department of Natural Resources for fiscal year 2021-22 to support implementation, including funding for 0.5 FTE for state park operations and 1.0 FTE for wildlife operations.