This year, the Colorado General Assembly and Governor Jared Polis worked together to pass a series of bills focused on wildlife protection, water conservation, and sustainable energy. The legislative package aims to support Colorado’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Roadmap goals.
“Partnerships with legislative leaders this session allowed us to take major steps to protect our state’s wildlife, advance clean energy goals, enhance our efforts to engage with our Tribal Nation partners and continue leading the way on water conservation efforts,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “I want to thank the bi-partisan support and legislative champions of our bills as well as the numerous Coloradans and stakeholders who took time out of their day to support many of our legislative priorities.”
Among the key measures is SB25-283, which provides nearly $69 million for water projects statewide. Funding includes $29 million for Water Plan Grants and targeted investments in wildfire readiness, watershed health, snowpack measurement, and river restoration. The state continues its commitment to addressing abandoned mines through SB25-054 by updating mining regulations and encouraging reclamation work that could improve more than 1,800 miles of impaired streams.
The legislature also approved HB25-1115 to strengthen water supply forecasting using snowpack data—a critical resource since most streamflow comes from melting snow in Colorado. With severance tax revenue facing future uncertainty due to fluctuating oil and gas production, SB25-040 directs a study into long-term water funding solutions.
Process improvements are also included in HB25-1014. The bill updates permitting procedures related to wells and groundwater rights, aiming for greater efficiency within the Division of Water Resources.
In energy policy, HB25-1165 sets up a framework for long-term carbon storage oversight while supporting geothermal development by clarifying regulatory roles across agencies. This aligns with ongoing state efforts toward cleaner energy production.
Wildlife management legislation features new enforcement tools against trafficking (SB25-168) and continued investment in native species recovery (HB25-1318), including over $2 million dedicated to endangered fish programs along the Upper Colorado River. The Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program (SB25-049), responsible for preserving hundreds of thousands of acres since 2006, will now continue permanently.
Colorado also recognized wild bison entering from Utah’s Book Cliffs region under SB25-053 by allowing regulated management as wildlife rather than livestock.
The General Assembly addressed tribal engagement with HB25-1163 by waiving state park entrance fees for enrolled members of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe—an effort described as advancing reparative action after historic land restrictions imposed through treaties.
Outdoor equity initiatives saw additional lottery funds directed toward youth access programs via HB25-1215. A new strategic fund will help manage recreation infrastructure needs across Colorado Parks and Wildlife properties.
Additional resources were allocated through SB25-206—the Long Bill—to boost staffing at parks and wildlife areas, upgrade facilities, increase water administration capacity, and expand access opportunities for residents throughout the state.
