ColoradoColorado law authorizes $5 million for species conservation programs
Colorado’s natural resources director may spend $5 million on listed fish, selenium, and native wildlife conservation work, with a limit on importing new wolves in 2026–27.
What it does
The Department of Natural Resources may spend $5 million from the Species Conservation Trust Fund on listed fish, selenium, and native wildlife conservation work. The terrestrial wildlife share cannot pay to import new wolves in 2026–27.
Argument forSetting aside $5 million for fish recovery, habitat work, and native wildlife could help conservation programs carry out work for Colorado species.
Argument againstDedicating trust fund money to these programs could leave less available for other eligible conservation work; the terrestrial wildlife share also cannot fund importing new wolves in 2026–27.
More detail
The law authorizes the Department of Natural Resources executive director to spend $5 million from the Species Conservation Trust Fund on listed conservation work. The authorized work covers upper Colorado River endangered fish recovery, the San Juan River Basin recovery program, Rio Grande native fish protection and habitat improvements, selenium management, and native terrestrial and aquatic wildlife conservation. The money is available during state fiscal year 2026–27 and remains available for the listed purposes until fully spent. The money for native terrestrial wildlife conservation cannot be used to import new wolves for reintroduction during state fiscal year 2026–27. The money is available in state fiscal year 2026–27 and stays available for the listed purposes until spent.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 29Governor Jared Polis SignedBecame Law
- May 22Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- May 22Signed by the Speaker of the HouseMajor
- May 22Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 13Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
- Vote recorded CONCUR. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded REPASS. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded CONCUR. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded REPASS. Result: pass.Upper
- May 9House Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed House
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- May 8House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
- May 7House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer Senate Bill 26-165 to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Refer Senate Bill 26-165 to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Lower
- May 7House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Floor
- May 4House Committee on Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Refer Unamended to AppropriationsMinor
- Vote recorded Refer Senate Bill 26-165 to the Committee on Appropriations. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Refer Senate Bill 26-165 to the Committee on Appropriations. Result: pass.Lower
- May 1Senate Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed Senate
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Upper
- May 1Introduced In House - Assigned to Agriculture, Water & Natural ResourcesMinor
- Apr 30Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer Senate Bill 26-165 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 30Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
- Apr 23Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Refer Unamended to AppropriationsMinor
- Vote recorded Refer Senate Bill 26-165 to the Committee on Appropriations. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 16Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Agriculture & Natural ResourcesIntroduced
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