A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning a reallocation of funding from the division of
Page 1, Line 102parks and wildlife for the reintroduction of gray
Page 1, Line 103wolves to the Colorado health insurance
Page 1, Line 104affordability enterprise, and, in connection therewith,
Page 1, Line 105reducing 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.)
The bill reduces by $264,268 an appropriation for the 2025-26 state fiscal year from the general fund to the department of natural resources division of parks and wildlife (division) for the reintroduction of gray wolves. The bill requires the state treasurer to transfer a corresponding amount from the general fund to the Colorado health insurance affordability enterprise cash fund on September 1, 2025.
The bill also prohibits the division from using the money appropriated from the general fund in state fiscal year 2025-26 (appropriated money) for the acquisition and reintroduction of gray wolves or from taking any action to acquire or reintroduce gray wolves during state fiscal year 2025-26. The division may use the appropriated money to assist owners of livestock in preventing and resolving conflicts between gray wolves and livestock and to pay fair compensation to owners of livestock for any losses of livestock caused by gray wolves.
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds and declares that:
Page 2, Line 3(a) Through the narrow passage of Proposition 114 by Colorado
Page 2, Line 4voters in 2020, the division of parks and wildlife and the parks and
Page 2, Line 5wildlife commission were directed to develop and implement a plan to
Page 2, Line 6reintroduce gray wolves to Western Colorado while ensuring fair compensation for livestock losses;
Page 2, Line 7 (b) Now, with ongoing inflationary pressure, a substantial
Page 2, Line 8reduction in available federal money for state operations due to the
Page 2, Line 9passage of H.R. 1 by the United States Congress, the expiration of health
Page 2, Line 10insurance affordability tax credits that will cause insurance costs for
Page 2, Line 11Coloradans to spike, and Colorado's balanced budget requirement, the
Page 2, Line 12state of Colorado is faced with a challenging fiscal situation and Colorado families are at risk of losing access to health insurance.
Page 2, Line 13(c) Programmatically, Colorado's legal requirement to reintroduce
Page 2, Line 14and establish a self-sustaining population of gray wolves is on a trajectory
Page 2, Line 15to establish a sustainable population of wolves in Colorado: According
Page 2, Line 16to the division of parks and wildlife, the wolves reintroduced into
Page 3, Line 1Colorado in late 2023 and early 2025 have formed multiple packs and
Page 3, Line 2produced multiple litters of offspring and, as of August 2025, there are 21
Page 3, Line 3collared adult wolves, at least one known uncollared adult wolf, and an
Page 3, Line 4estimated 9 or more pups from 4 breeding pairs in Colorado with that
Page 3, Line 5number anticipated to grow as more offspring from the current breeding season are confirmed.
Page 3, Line 6(d) Therefore, in the context of this extraordinary session called
Page 3, Line 7to address an emerging budget and health insurance affordability crisis,
Page 3, Line 8other sources of funding outside of the general fund should be used
Page 3, Line 9instead to procure new wolves from other states or other countries, to
Page 3, Line 10enable the state to lower costs for Coloradans' everyday expenses.
Page 3, Line 11Colorado should spend general fund money originally allocated for the
Page 3, Line 12procurement, capture, transport, and release of new wolves on matters
Page 3, Line 13more immediately impactful and beneficial to Colorado families while
Page 3, Line 14retaining funding to support the wolf reintroduction and management
Page 3, Line 15plan, including support for livestock producers and communities being impacted by Colorado's existing and expanding wolf population.
Page 3, Line 16(2) The general assembly further finds and declares that:
Page 3, Line 17(a) In his Executive Order D 2025 009, "Call for the First
Page 3, Line 18Extraordinary Session of the Seventy-Fifth General Assembly and
Page 3, Line 19Directing a Statewide Hiring Freeze", Governor Polis directed the general
Page 3, Line 20assembly to consider and pass legislation concerning, among other topics,
Page 3, Line 21"adjustments to the Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise (HIAE) to
Page 3, Line 22facilitate a reduction in premium increases and avoid health insurance
Page 3, Line 23coverage loss for those in the individual market and those unable to purchase health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado";
Page 3, Line 24(b) As noted in the executive order and extraordinary session call
Page 4, Line 1by the governor, "Congress's failure to extend enhanced Health Insurance
Page 4, Line 2Premium Tax Credits, established by the American Rescue Plan Act of
Page 4, Line 32021 (ARPA) and extended by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
Page 4, Line 4(IRA), in concert with the 2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability
Page 4, Line 5Final Rule and individual market changes set forth in H.R.1, will have a
Page 4, Line 6significant impact on health insurance rates in Colorado's individual
Page 4, Line 7health insurance market, as well as broader market impacts. July 2025
Page 4, Line 8rate filings by insurance carriers with the Colorado Division of Insurance
Page 4, Line 9are, on average, 28% higher than 2025 rates with some requested rate
Page 4, Line 10increases on Colorado's Western Slope of almost 40%. While the State
Page 4, Line 11cannot extend federal premium tax credits, we can add funds to
Page 4, Line 12Colorado's Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise (HIAE) in order to
Page 4, Line 13mitigate the impact of these extraordinary individual health insurance
Page 4, Line 14requested rate increases on individuals and families across the State.
Page 4, Line 15Without this additional support, projected coverage losses will be devastating for families and the health care system."
Page 4, Line 16(c) While these health insurance increases would significantly and
Page 4, Line 17negatively burden every part of Colorado, the price increases are
Page 4, Line 18particularly acute for Western Slope counties-the same counties,
Page 4, Line 19communities, businesses, and individuals being directly impacted by the wolf reintroduction program.
Page 4, Line 20(3) It is therefore the intent of the general assembly, in order to
Page 4, Line 21address the governor's directive in the call for this extraordinary session,
Page 4, Line 22to redirect general funds from the procurement of new wolves in the
Page 4, Line 232025-26 state fiscal year and reallocate that money to the health insurance
Page 4, Line 24affordability enterprise, which will help Coloradans and their families
Page 4, Line 25save money on their health insurance premiums while protecting funding
Page 5, Line 1for the implementation of the wolf reintroduction and management plan,
Page 5, Line 2including the ongoing administration of wolf-livestock conflict minimization and depredation compensation.
Page 5, Line 3SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 10-16-1206, amend (1)(g) and (1)(h); and add (1)(i) and (5) as follows:
Page 5, Line 410-16-1206. Health insurance affordability cash fund -
Page 5, Line 5creation - repeal. (1) There is created in the state treasury the health insurance affordability cash fund. The fund consists of:
Page 5, Line 6(g) The federal share of the medical assistance payments received pursuant to section 25.5-4-503 (2); and
Page 5, Line 7(h) Gifts, grants, or donations received from private or public sources; and
Page 5, Line 8(i) Any other money that may be appropriated or transferred to the fund.
Page 5, Line 9(5) (a) On September 1, 2025, the state treasurer shall
Page 5, Line 10transfer two hundred sixty-four thousand two hundred sixty-eight dollars from the general fund to the fund.
Page 5, Line 11(b) This subsection (5) is repealed, effective July 1, 2026.
Page 5, Line 12SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 33-2-105.8, add (4.7) as follows:
Page 5, Line 1333-2-105.8. Reintroduction of gray wolves on designated lands
Page 5, Line 14west of the continental divide - public input in commission
Page 5, Line 15development of restoration plan - compensation to owners of
Page 5, Line 16livestock - definitions - repeal. (4.7) (a) The division shall not use
Page 5, Line 17money appropriated from the general fund for state fiscal year
Page 5, Line 182025-26 for the purpose of acquiring or reintroducing gray
Page 5, Line 19wolves. The division may use money appropriated for state fiscal
Page 6, Line 1year 2025-26 for the purposes listed in subsections (2)(e)(I) and (2)(e)(II) of this section.
Page 6, Line 2(b) This subsection (4.7) is repealed, effective July 1, 2026.
Page 7, Line 1SECTION 4. Appropriation to the department of natural resources for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. In Session Laws of Colorado 2025, section 2 of chapter 476, (SB 25-206), amend Part XV (5)(A), the affected totals, and footnote 79 as follows:
Page 7, Line 2Section 2. Appropriation.
Page 7, Line 3Part XV
Page 7, Line 4DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Page 7, Line 5
Page 7, Line 6(5) DIVISION OF PARKS AND WILDLIFE
Page 7, Line 7(A) Colorado Parks and Wildlife Operations
| Agency Name or Title | Item & Subtotal | Total | General Fund | General Fund Exempt | Cash Funds | Reappropriated Funds | Federal Funds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 7, Line 8State Park Operations |
64,834,343 |
63,934,343a |
900,000b |
||||
Page 7, Line 9 |
(332.1 FTE) |
||||||
|
|
97,525,795c |
34,700,000(I) |
||||
Page 7, Line 11 |
134,109,239 |
1,883,444 |
|||||
Page 7, Line 12 |
(731.8 FTE) |
||||||
|
Page 7, Line 13Vendor Commissions, Page 7, Line 14Fulfillment Fees, and Credit Page 8, Line 1Card Fees |
11,684,700 |
11,684,700d |
|||||
Page 8, Line 2 |
|
||||||
Page 8, Line 3 |
210,628,282 |
||||||
Page 8, Line 4 |
Page 8, Line 5a Of these amounts, $49,667,313 shall be from the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Cash Fund created in Section 33-10-111 (1), C.R.S., $8,800,000(I) shall be from the Great Outdoors
Page 8, Line 6Colorado Program established in Section 1 of Article XXVII of the State Constitution, $2,459,306(I) shall be from Lottery proceeds pursuant to Section 3 of Article XXVII of the State
Page 8, Line 7Constitution, $2,243,971 shall be from the Severance Tax Operational Fund created in Section 39-29-109 (2)(b), C.R.S., $641,063 shall be from the Off-highway Vehicle Recreation
Page 8, Line 8Fund created in Section 33-14.5-106 (1), C.R.S., and $122,690 shall be from the Snowmobile Recreation Fund created in Section 33-14-106 (1)(a), C.R.S. The appropriation from the
Page 8, Line 9Severance Tax Operational Fund is made in accordance with allocations specified in Section 39-29-109.3 (1)(f), C.R.S. Pursuant to Section 3 of Article XXVII of the State Constitution,
Page 8, Line 10amounts appropriated from the Great Outdoors Colorado Program and lottery proceeds are continuously appropriated and are shown for informational purposes only.
Page 8, Line 11b This amount shall be from various sources of federal funds, including funds anticipated to be received from the United States Bureau of Reclamation through a cost-sharing agreement
Page 8, Line 12to address the net operating deficit of Paonia, Vega, Rifle Gap, Crawford, Navajo, Mancos, and Ridgway State Parks, and is shown for informational purposes only.
Page 9, Line 1c Of these amounts, $84,110,795 shall be from the Wildlife Cash Fund created in Section 33-1-112 (1)(a), C.R.S., $8,800,000(I) shall be from the Great Outdoors Colorado Program
Page 9, Line 2established in Section 1 of Article XXVII of the State Constitution, $3,000,000 shall be from the Wildlife Management Public Education Fund created in Section 33-1-112 (3.5)(a), C.R.S.,
Page 9, Line 3$700,000 shall be from the Wolf Depredation Compensation Fund created in Section 33-1-128 (2)(a), C.R.S., $500,000 shall be from subscription revenues credited to the Colorado
Page 9, Line 4Outdoors Magazine Revolving Fund created in Section 33-1-114 (1), C.R.S., $400,000 shall be from the Colorado Nongame Conservation and Wildlife Restoration Cash Fund created
Page 9, Line 5in Section 33-1-125 (1)(a), C.R.S., and $15,000 shall be from the Federal Aid Projects Income Fund created in Section 33-1-119, C.R.S. Pursuant to Section 3 of Article XXVII of the
Page 9, Line 6State Constitution, amounts appropriated from the Great Outdoors Colorado Program and lottery proceeds are continuously appropriated and are shown for informational purposes only.
Page 9, Line 7d Of this amount, an estimated $10,000,000 shall be from the Wildlife Cash Fund created in Section 33-1-112 (1)(a), C.R.S., an estimated $1,350,000 shall be from the Parks and Outdoor
Page 9, Line 8Recreation Cash Fund created in Section 33-10-111 (1), C.R.S., an estimated $250,000 shall be from the Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Fund created in Section 33-14.5-106 (1), C.R.S.,
Page 9, Line 9an estimated $31,700 shall be from the sale of migratory waterfowl stamps pursuant to Section 33-4-102.5 (2), C.R.S., and an estimated $53,000 shall be from the Snowmobile Recreation
Page 9, Line 10Fund created in Section 33-14-106 (1)(a), C.R.S.
Page 9, Line 11
| Agency Name or Title | Item & Subtotal | Total | General Fund | General Fund Exempt | Cash Funds | Reappropriated Funds | Federal Funds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 9, Line 12TOTALS PART XV |
|||||||
|
Page 9, Line 13(NATURAL Page 9, Line 14RESOURCES) |
|
|
$367,162,434a |
$9,587,533b |
$42,630,060c |
||
Page 9, Line 15 |
$476,460,929 |
$57,080,902 |
|||||
Page 10, Line 1 |
Page 10, Line 2a Of this amount, $35,474,230 contains an (I) notation and an estimated $31,417,277 is from the Severance Tax Operational Fund pursuant to Section 39-29-109.3 (1), C.R.S.
Page 10, Line 3b Of this amount, $1,115,249 contains an (I) notation.
Page 10, Line 4c This amount contains an (I) notation.
Page 10, Line 5Footnotes: The following statements are referenced to the numbered footnotes throughout section 2.
Page 10, Line 6
Page 10, Line 779Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Operations, Wildlife Operations -- It is the General Assembly's
Page 10, Line 8intent that $2,100,000
Page 10, Line 9management of gray wolves.
Page 11, Line 1SECTION 5. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,
Page 11, Line 2determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
Page 11, Line 3preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for
Page 11, Line 4the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state institutions.