2023 Colorado Revised Statutes › Title 24 - GOVERNMENT - STATE (§§ 24-1-101 — 24-116-102) › PRINCIPAL DEPARTMENTS (§§ 24-30-101 — 24-36-306) › Article 33 - DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (§§ 24-33-101 — 24-33-301) › Part 1 - DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (§§ 24-33-101 — 24-33-118) › Section 24-33-118 - Pollinator health study - recommendations - reporting - definition - repeal

(1)
As soon as practicable, the executive director shall:
(a)
Conduct a study regarding state agency programs, resources, and needs related to challenges associated with native pollinating insects':
(I)
Populations and associated ecosystems in the state; and
(II)
Health and resilience in the state; and
(b)
Based on the study, make recommendations on how to improve pollinator health and resilience in the state.
(2)
The study may:
(a)
Based on available research and data, summarize current knowledge regarding native pollinator health;
(b)
Identify:
(I)
Any gaps in current knowledge regarding native pollinating insect health, including gaps in current knowledge of:
(A)
Wild bee distributions and population dynamics;
(B)
Native pollinator species that are at risk of decline; and
(C)
Best practices for state land managers to incentivize the creation and protection of healthy and diverse pollinator communities; and
(II)
Opportunities for:
(A)
Management, protection, and recovery efforts through the development of programs that mitigate factors that negatively affect native pollinating insect communities; and
(B)
The development of ecological state land management practices that restore habitat functionality and provide natural climate solutions; and
(c)
Include recommendations regarding:
(I)
How to develop an education and outreach program to raise awareness and public engagement regarding, and to incentivize action to benefit, native pollinating insect health; and
(II)
Protection of native pollinating insects.
(3)
(a)
In conducting the study, the executive director shall consult with:
(I)
Federal agencies, such as the United States fish and wildlife service and the United States forest service; and
(II)
Independent scientists and experts with expertise in pollinator health, climate change, ecological processes and resilience, biodiversity, native plants, and ecological land management. In particular, the executive director shall conduct outreach to Colorado state university, the university of Colorado, and the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory and shall prioritize peer-reviewed scientific research.
(b)
Other state agencies, including the department of transportation, the department of public health and environment, and the department of agriculture, shall participate in the study by identifying their existing programs that relate to native pollinating insect health and by providing input on the study components and recommendations that relate to the programs identified.
(4)
On or before January 1, 2024, the executive director shall submit to the general assembly and the governor a report summarizing the study and recommendations based on the study.
(5)
As used in this section, "executive director" means the executive director of the department of natural resources or the executive director's designee.
(6)
This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2024.
Added by 2022 Ch. 257,§2, eff. 5/27/2022.