BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Phillips, Bacon, Bradley, Brown, Camacho, Carter, Clifford, Espenoza, Froelich, Gonzalez R., Lindsay, Lindstedt, McCormick, Rutinel, Smith, Titone, Valdez, Willford, Joseph, Woodrow;
also SENATOR(S) Mullica.
Concerning the designation of the Agaricus julius mushroom as the state mushroom.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds and declares that:
(a) Mushrooms and fungi play an important role in maintaining the health of forests and ecosystems.
(b) Agaricus julius is an edible mushroom found in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
(c) After mistaking Agaricus julius for its close relative Agaricus augustus, or "The Prince mushroom," scientists first identified Agaricus julius as a distinct species and described it as such in Colorado in 2016. Therefore, Agaricus julius is referred to as "The Emperor formerly known as Prince."
(d) Agaricus julius is a saprobic mushroom, meaning it decomposes dead or decaying organic material, thereby recycling nutrients and reducing wildfire fuel loads.
(e) Agaricus julius appears in high-elevation spruce-fir forests and has a large cap adorned with brown scales and an odor reminiscent of almonds.
(f) The inclusion of a symbol from the kingdom of fungi will help promote and celebrate the importance of fungi and mushrooms in Colorado.
(2) It is therefore the intent of the general assembly that the Agaricus julius mushroom be added to the array of symbols that demonstrate our state character and pride.
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 24-80-916 as follows:
24-80-916. State mushroom.The Agaricus julius mushroom, commonly known as the Emperor mushroom formerly known as Prince, is made and declared to be the state mushroom of the state of Colorado.
SECTION 3. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.
Signed By: Julie McCluskie, Speaker of the House of Representatives
Signed By: James Rashad Coleman, Sr., President of the Senate
Signed By: Vanessa Reilly, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives
Signed By: Esther van Mourik, Secretary of the Senate
Signed By: Jared S. Polis, Governor of the State of Colorado