HB 17-1250

HB 17-1250, also known as "Renew And Expand Tax Check-off To Benefit Wildlife," is a Colorado bill that updates and expands an existing tax check-off program. This program allows taxpayers to voluntarily contribute money when they file their taxes, with the funds going towards wildlife conservation and rehabilitation in Colorado. The bill extends this program for another five years and ensures that most of the contributions go toward protecting endangered species and other wildlife, while a smaller portion supports wildlife rehabilitation centers across the state. Since it has been signed into law, this means the updated program is now active and will continue to support wildlife conservation efforts in Colorado.

Official Summary

With respect to the nongame and endangered wildlife tax check-off, which is scheduled to sunset in 2018, the bill: Expands and renames the check-off as the Colorado nongame conservation and wildlife restoration voluntary contribution program (check-off) for the purpose of benefiting all wildlife in Colorado; Extends the future repeal date of the check-off by 5 years; Specifies that the voluntary contribution moneys allocated to the division of parks and wildlife (division) in the department of natural resources (i.e., 90% of the first $250,000 and $75% of the moneys over that initial $250,000 in contributions per year) will continue to be used by the division for the protection and perpetuation of nongame and endangered wildlife; Provides that the remainder of the moneys received through the check-off (i.e., 10% of the first $250,000 received and 25% of the moneys above $250,000 contributed each year) will be used to make grants for wildlife rehabilitation in the state; For the facilitation of the wildlife rehabilitation grant program, creates the Colorado nongame conservation and wildlife restoration cash fund (fund) authority that is overseen by a seven-member board of directors (board); Describes the process by which the board makes recommendations to the division for authorizing grants to rehabilitators and requires the board to develop guidelines for processing and evaluating grant applications; and Specifies that the board is subject to open records and open meetings laws. Sections 3 and 4 make conforming amendments necessitated by the change of the name of the fund. To implement the bill, section 5 makes an appropriation of $2,200 for the 2017-18 fiscal year from the fund to the department of revenue.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Votes