CO SB005

Creates timber, forest health, and wildfire mitigation industries workforce development program in the Colorado State Forest Service to reimburse timber businesses and forest health/wildfire mitigation entities up to 50 percent of costs for hiring interns, with internships requiring minimum 130 hours and maximum 6 months duration, and entities limited to 3 internships per state fiscal year.

Directs Colorado State Forest Service to develop educational materials on forestry and wildfire mitigation career opportunities for distribution to high school guidance counselors by consulting with multiple state agencies and timber industry representatives.

Allocates $1 million annually from the general fund starting June 30, 2023 to the wildfire mitigation capacity development fund.

Authorizes expansion of existing forestry programs and creation of new forestry degree and certificate programs at public higher education institutions using grants for 2023-24 and 2024-25 fiscal years, including funding for harvesting simulators and program design.

Establishes recruitment of wildland fire prevention and mitigation educators program administered by the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education, with $250,000 appropriated for 2023-24 and 2024-25 to provide compensation and training for qualified educators at participating institutions.