House Bill 25-1258 Introduced

A Bill for an Act

• Page 1, Line 101Concerning requiring the parks and wildlife commission to

• Page 1, Line 102use the best available science to manage wildlife.

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.)

In Colorado's wildlife statutes, the legislative declaration commits the state to use hunting, trapping, and fishing as the primary methods of effecting wildlife harvests. The bill requires the parks and wildlife commission to use the best available wildlife and ecological science to adopt rules that benefit wildlife, whole ecosystem health, and all Coloradans.

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

• Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 33-1-101, amend (4) as follows:

• Page 2, Line 333-1-101.  Legislative declaration. (4)  The state shall utilize may

• Page 2, Line 4authorize hunting, trapping, and fishing as the primary methods of

• Page 2, Line 5effecting necessary wildlife harvests in accordance with the best

• Page 2, Line 6available wildlife and ecological science to benefit wildlife, whole ecosystem health, and all Coloradans.

• Page 2, Line 7SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 33-1-104, amend (1) as follows:

• Page 2, Line 833-1-104.  General duties of commission. (1)  The commission

• Page 2, Line 9is responsible for all wildlife management, for licensing requirements,

• Page 2, Line 10and for the promulgation adoption of rules regulations, and issuance of

• Page 2, Line 11orders concerning wildlife programs. The commission shall apply, in

• Page 2, Line 12its decision-making, the best available wildlife and ecological

• Page 2, Line 13science to adopt rules that benefit wildlife, whole ecosystem health, and all Coloradans.

• Page 2, Line 14SECTION 3.  Act subject to petition - effective date. This act

• Page 2, Line 15takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the

• Page 2, Line 16ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except

• Page 2, Line 17that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V

• Page 2, Line 18of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this

• Page 2, Line 19act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take

• Page 2, Line 20effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in

• Page 3, Line 1November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.