HB 24-1117

House Bill 24-1117, which has been approved by the governor and will take effect on August 7, 2024, expands conservation efforts in Colorado to include rare plants and invertebrates. This means that the state’s Parks and Wildlife Commission can now study and protect these species along with other endangered wildlife. The bill also allocates $774,788 from the general fund or wildlife cash fund specifically for this purpose. This new law will help ensure that a wider range of Colorado's natural resources are protected and studied, benefiting both the environment and researchers in the state.

Official Summary

The act adds rare plants and invertebrates to the species that may be studied and conserved under the current "Nongame, Endangered, or Threatened Species Conservation Act", which is renamed the "Nongame, Endangered, or Threatened Wildlife and Rare Plant Conservation Act". The division of parks and wildlife in the department of natural resources (department) may undertake voluntary programs to conserve, protect, and perpetuate invertebrates. The department is required to include, in the department's SMART Act hearing, information about the investigations conducted under the act. The general assembly is required to make an appropriation from the general fund or the wildlife cash fund to study invertebrates. $774,788 is appropriated to the department for use by the division of parks and wildlife to implement the act. APPROVED by Governor May 17, 2024 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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