2023 Colorado Revised Statutes › Title 35 - AGRICULTURE (§§ 35-1-101 — 35-81-102) › FAIRS (§§ 35-65-100.3 — 35-66-107) › Article 65 - FAIRS (§§ 35-65-100.3 — 35-66-107) › Article 66 - COLORADO WILD HORSE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT (§§ 35-66-101 — 35-66-107) › Section 35-66-107 - Wild horse fertility control program - annual reporting

(1)
The wild horse fertility control program is created to provide statewide support and coordination in the management of Colorado wild horse herds, including herds within federal herd management areas, using humane fertility control methods to ensure the long-term sustainability of wild horse herds. Subject to obtaining approval from the bureau when necessary, the wild horse project shall, in operating the fertility control program:
(a)
Coordinate and assist in the management of wild horse herd populations;
(b)
Make proposals to the bureau;
(c)
Coordinate with and enter into contracts or memoranda of understanding with the bureau;
(d)
Coordinate with and enter into contracts or partnerships with volunteers, interested groups, and nonprofit entities;
(e)
Recruit, train, and facilitate federal training for volunteers, contractors, and staff to perform the functions described in this section;
(f)
Collaborate with government agencies that have an interest in wild horses or that may provide resources, including people, to perform the functions described in this section;
(g)
Obtain resources to implement the fertility control program; and
(h)
Collaborate with, coordinate with, and support local herd management area organizations in performing fertility control or other on-range activities.
(2)
For the purposes of this section and section
35-66-106
, the wild horse project may:
(a)
Seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations in accordance with section
35-66-104 (4)
;
(b)
Create and administer grant programs to implement the fertility control program and the stewardship program;
(c)
Exercise the powers granted in sections
35-66-102 (3)
and
35-66-106
; and
(d)
Form technical, expert, stakeholder, or other advisory committees.
(3)
In operating the fertility control program, the wild horse project shall:
(a)
Use only humane, proven, nonlethal, and safe fertility control methods that are or are substantially similar to immunocontraceptive fertility control vaccines;
(b)
Not use or authorize lethal population management methods; and
(c)
Not surgically sterilize or authorize the surgical sterilization of wild horses.
(4)
(a)
The director shall annually report to the department on the actions taken to meet the requirements of this section. The report must include the activities performed and accomplished in accordance with the fertility control program.
(b)
The director may rescind a grant for:
(I)
Failure of the grant recipient to perform the duties to accomplish the purpose for which the grant was made;
(II)
Lack of effectiveness of the grant recipient's actions concerning the purposes for which the grant was made; and
(III)
A lack of consistency with the expectations of the wild horse project in making the grant.
(5)
The wild horse project shall begin implementing this section by July 31, 2024.
Added by 2023 Ch. 226,§ 2, eff. 5/20/2023.