Senate Bill 25-053 Introduced

A Bill for an Act

• Page 1, Line 101Concerning the classification of bison as wildlife unless

• Page 1, Line 102classified as livestock.

Bill Summary

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov/.)

American Indian Affairs Interim Study Committee. The bill classifies bison as big game wildlife unless the bison are livestock. Classifying bison as wildlife means that hunting or taking one is illegal unless authorized by rule of the parks and wildlife commission.

• Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

• Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 33-1-102, amend (2), (29), and (51); and add (2.6) as follows:

• Page 2, Line 333-1-102.  Definitions - rules. As used in this title 33, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 2, Line 4(2)  "Big game" means elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, moose,

• Page 2, Line 5rocky mountain bighorn sheep, desert bighorn sheep, rocky mountain

• Page 2, Line 6goat, pronghorn antelope, black bear, mountain lion, bison that are

• Page 2, Line 7wildlife, and all species of large mammals that may be introduced or

• Page 2, Line 8transplanted into this state for hunting or are classified as big game by the commission.

• Page 2, Line 9(2.6)  "Bison" means the ungulate classified as the species Bos bison or Bison bison, known as the American bison.

• Page 2, Line 10(29)  "Nongame wildlife" means all native species and subspecies

• Page 2, Line 11of wildlife which that are not classified as game wildlife by this title 33 or rule or regulation of the commission.

• Page 2, Line 12(51) (a)  "Wildlife" means wild vertebrates, mollusks, and

• Page 2, Line 13crustaceans, whether the animal is alive or dead, including if the

• Page 2, Line 14animal presently or historically exists as a species in a natural wild state in its place of origin.

• Page 2, Line 15(b)  "Wildlife" includes:

• (I)  Bison; or

• Page 2, Line 16(II)  Any part, product, egg, or offspring thereof, that exist as a

• Page 2, Line 17species in a natural wild state in their place of origin, presently or historically, except of wildlife.

• Page 2, Line 18(c)  "Wildlife" does not include:

• Page 2, Line 19(I)  Privately owned cattle, including privately owned bison; or

• Page 3, Line 1(II)  Those species determined to be domestic animals by rule or

• Page 3, Line 2regulation by of the commission and the state agricultural commission, by statute, or by court decision.

• Page 3, Line 3(d)  Such A determination within this statute shall made under

• Page 3, Line 4subsection (51)(c)(II) of this section does not affect other statutes,

• Page 3, Line 5rules, or court decisions determining injury to persons or damage to

• Page 3, Line 6property which that depend on the classification of animals by such the

• Page 3, Line 7other statute, rule, or court decision as livestock or wild or domestic animals.

• Page 3, Line 8SECTION 2.  Act subject to petition - effective date. This act

• Page 3, Line 9takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the

• Page 3, Line 10ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except

• Page 3, Line 11that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V

• Page 3, Line 12of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this

• Page 3, Line 13act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take

• Page 3, Line 14effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in

• Page 3, Line 15November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.