A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning the application of artificial intelligence to
Page 1, Line 102predict, prevent, or assist in fighting wildfires, and, in
Page 1, Line 103connection therewith, making an appropriation.
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/.)
Wildfire Matters Review Committee. The bill requires the general assembly to appropriate $7,500,000 to the division of fire prevention and control (division) for state fiscal year 2024-25 and allows any unexpended portion of the appropriation to also be expended in state fiscal year 2025-26. The division is required to use the money to study and develop applications of artificial intelligence that predict, mitigate, or assist in fighting wildfires, including, at a minimum, applications of artificial intelligence which produce data that can be incorporated into maps displaying the following:
- Classification of vegetation and wildfire fuel;
- Predictions regarding the likelihood of wildfire ignition potential in a particular area following observed lightning events;
- The perimeter of an ongoing wildfire; and
- Predictions regarding the locations and area to which an ongoing wildfire may spread.
The division may contract with a third party that has developed artificial intelligence tools to predict, mitigate, or assist in fighting wildfires. The division is also authorized to seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, and donations for the purposes of the bill.
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 24-33.5-1240 as follows:
Page 2, Line 324-33.5-1240. Applying artificial intelligence to predict,
Page 2, Line 4prevent, or assist in fighting wildfires - definition. (1) As used in this
Page 2, Line 5section, "artificial intelligence" has the same meaning as set forth in section 2-3-1701 (1).
Page 2, Line 6(2) For the 2024-25 state fiscal year, the general
Page 2, Line 7assembly shall appropriate seven million five hundred thousand
Page 2, Line 8dollars from the general fund to the division to be used in
Page 2, Line 9accordance with this section. Any unexpended or unencumbered
Page 2, Line 10money appropriated pursuant to this subsection (2) remains
Page 2, Line 11available for expenditure for the same purposes in the 2025-26 state fiscal year without further appropriation.
Page 2, Line 12(3) The division shall use the money appropriated pursuant
Page 2, Line 13to subsection (2) of this section to study and develop
Page 2, Line 14applications of artificial intelligence that predict, mitigate, or
Page 3, Line 1assist in fighting wildfires, including, at a minimum, applications
Page 3, Line 2of artificial intelligence which produce data that can be incorporated into maps displaying the following:
Page 3, Line 3(a) Classification of vegetation and wildfire fuel;
Page 3, Line 4(b) Predictions regarding wildfire ignition potential in a particular area following observed lightning events;
Page 3, Line 5(c) The perimeter of an ongoing wildfire; and
Page 3, Line 6(d) Predictions regarding the locations and area to which an ongoing wildfire may spread.
Page 3, Line 7(4) In order to accomplish the purposes outlined in
Page 3, Line 8subsection (3) of this section, the division may contract with a
Page 3, Line 9third party that, at the time of contracting, has developed
Page 3, Line 10artificial intelligence tools to predict, mitigate, or assist in fighting wildfires.
Page 3, Line 11(5) The division may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants,
Page 3, Line 12and donations from private or public sources for the purposes of subsection (3) of this section.
Page 3, Line 13SECTION 2. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act
Page 3, Line 14takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the
Page 3, Line 15ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except
Page 3, Line 16that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V
Page 3, Line 17of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this
Page 3, Line 18act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take
Page 3, Line 19effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in
Page 3, Line 20November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.