HB 25-1283

HB 25-1283 in Colorado changes how wild horses are managed by moving responsibilities from a project to the Department of Agriculture. The new law allows the department to use immunocontraception (a form of birth control) to keep horse populations at manageable levels, and it can work with other agencies and nonprofits to do this. It also sets up an advisory committee to help guide these efforts and ensure that wild horses are treated humanely. This bill affects anyone involved in the care and management of wild horses, including federal land managers, nonprofit organizations, and volunteers. Since the bill has been signed into law, it is now active and being implemented by the Department of Agriculture.

Official Summary

The act repeals the wild horse project and transfers the statutory duties concerning wild horse management and support to the department of agriculture (department). The act repeals and replaces the wild horse stewardship program and the wild horse fertility program with support efforts managed by the department and with an immunocontraception program managed by the department. The act authorizes the department to provide immunocontraception and material support in herd management areas to keep wild horse populations at appropriate management levels. The material support may include: Using state employees or contracting with others to administer immunocontraception; Providing funding to or administrative support to other state agencies, federal agencies, and nonprofit entities to hire employees or contract with agents to administer immunocontraception; Coordinating events where immunocontraception is administered; Buying or funding the purchase of equipment or technology; and Coordinating with educational institutions to provide training, certification, or internships to individuals administering immunocontraception. The department may primarily address federally protected wild horses but may also address other wild horses. The department may, when reasonable and effective, engage private entities and individuals in wild horse advocacy, funding, promotion, and education, including through the use of iconic wild horse imagery and the development of a logo and brand. The department may provide staff, resources, or information to: Develop a system of shared equipment and staff expertise to loan out; Develop training programs and certifications; Cooperate with the federal bureau of land management to develop additional training, holding, or adoption opportunities; and Cooperate with the department of corrections to create and expand opportunities for people confined in a correctional facility. The act creates a wild horse advisory committee. The wild horse advisory committee has the same makeup as the current wild horse working group with different appointing authorities authorized. The advisory committee will meet at least once every year and may have additional meetings as necessary. The advisory committee advises the commissioner of agriculture and the department concerning: Financial and material support for wild horse adopters, sanctuaries, preserves, and refuges; The content and delivery of outreach, education, training, and certification; Working with the federal bureau of land management and wild horse preserves, sanctuaries, and refuges to coordinate herd management; Coordinating or assisting with wild horse adoption compliance checks; Coordinating and cooperating with other entities to ensure comprehensive information about adoption and adoption success is widely publicized and is available to the public; Any different or additional scientifically proven immunocontraceptive fertility control method the department may consider using; and Humane, nonlethal alternatives to long-term confinement for wild horses that are taken off-range or held in federal facilities. The wild horse advisory committee sunsets on September 1, 2030. Before the repeal, the advisory committee is scheduled for sunset review. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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