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SB 25-115

Seedling Tree Nursery Spending Authority Extension

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Judy Amabile and 14 co-sponsors

Extends CSFS seedling nursery spending authority to June 30, 2027 to finish upgrades with existing funds; prevents unspent money from reverting to General Fund; no new appropriation.

Governor Signed
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Bill Summary · SB 25-115

SB 25-115 — Seedling Tree Nursery Spending Authority Extension (Governor Signed)

Purpose / Intent

SB 25-115 extends the period during which prior appropriations for renovation and expansion of the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) seedling tree nursery may be spent. The extension prevents unspent funds from reverting to the General Fund and allows completion of the nursery upgrade project and related payments.

Key provisions

  • Extends spending authority for money appropriated to the Colorado State University System for use by the CSFS to renovate and expand the state seedling tree nursery through the close of FY 2026‑27 (i.e., until June 30, 2027).
  • Amends Colorado Revised Statutes, section 23‑31‑319:
    • Subsection (6): updates the expiration of prior appropriations’ availability from “close of the 2024‑25 fiscal year” to “close of the 2026‑27 fiscal year.”
    • Subsection (8): moves the repeal date for the section from January 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
  • No new appropriation is included or required in the bill.

Background

  • HB 22‑1323 (2022) required CSFS upgrades to nursery greenhouses, shade houses, container and shipping supplies, and an analysis of priority reforestation investments; the General Assembly appropriated $5.0 million in FY 2022‑23 with spending authority through FY 2023‑24.
  • HB 23‑1060 (2023) provided about $5.4 million for remaining costs and extended spending authority through FY 2024‑25.
  • SB 25‑115 continues to allow use of those earlier appropriations through FY 2026‑27 to finish the project.

Fiscal impact and implementation

  • No new state appropriation or change to TABOR refunds; 0.0 FTE impact.
  • Including federal awards and the extended authority, CSFS expects to spend roughly $7.8 million in FY 2025‑26 and $2.6 million in FY 2026‑27 to complete the nursery upgrades. The project is anticipated to be substantially completed in FY 2025‑26, with some payments extending into FY 2026‑27.

Who is affected

  • Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) and Colorado State University System (recipient of appropriated funds).
  • No direct change in taxes or broad state fiscal exposure; the bill only extends the availability period for previously appropriated General Fund dollars.

Timeline & legislative actions

  • Introduced in Senate: Feb 3, 2025.
  • Passed both chambers (unamended); House third reading Feb 13, 2025.
  • Sent to Governor: Feb 21, 2025.
  • Governor signed into law; effective Feb 27, 2025.
  • Statutory repeal of the authorizing section moved from Jan 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

Sponsors

Primary sponsors: Senator Jeff Bridges; Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer; Representative Emily Sirota; Representative Rick Taggart. Additional cosponsors listed in the enrolled bill.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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