[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6709683,"mediaKeyId","5070897-e5d9344675f71aa6699ed599afa94bc6","parentId",5070897,"title","Committee presses for quick finalization of biomass studies and flags implementation funding gap","audioSeconds",138,"startMs",714680,"endMs",853475,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5070897-e5d9344675f71aa6699ed599afa94bc6&start=714&end=853","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5070897-e5d9344675f71aa6699ed599afa94bc6/thumbnail_714680.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6709683/Colorado/Committee-presses-for-quick-finalization-of-biomass-studies-and-flags-implementation-funding-gap","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6709683-d6306fadeb7ab9cdc0dee0f4dbad6243/orig.mp4?Expires=1770714328&Signature=i7EYxMdSilNW4CUu6RvdIUh04Ok61CZQGt7KT9O9~QBRzTWIT81XMZACJG0sBnqXJCUwzB1aikUfOqap2ZkZ4kPM~XkZpICXaGm6vJTDFCiqEug~L~aiDvXxe9SAzAvLsTe6OZBdvffwldiFpfZhXBHJFtjrP788e4rQWGjZ4gQbPOBboZQwmvmV5hSFeeO8z3NsUqxhmW6dNVM4VfMDhoMKiLTxUXL9UP5~GvyOOMg0NHEZeecjZHw-hNY1DXgxSZ3DJPXsHBlzmuQFZmkfRaSeydo3Vtgip~DjR6BRIm1O5wZw1KiUXFW62vxbtZtBsF0UolNOx4f-~uYJpjrl3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Department of Personnel & Administration","date","2025-06-24T21:23:52.457Z","article","Committee members at the Nov. 15 meeting emphasized that a pending biomass study is central to forming practical forest‑health policy. Larimer County staff reported a $200,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to support a county‑focused biomass study intended to produce an implementable “menu of options,” not just a planning document.

“From the industry side of things, the biomass studies and direction on biomass are extremely interesting and critical to the industry because how people wanna handle biomass and how much they think they need to remove is gonna be probably, if not, one of the biggest financial driver for the cost of these projects,” Mark Morgan said.

Committee members asked staff to confirm the study’s status and to circulate the final report when available. Christina Burry said she believed the study was “close to being complete or is complete” and offered to confirm the schedule. Lurch and other staff committed to sending the final report to committee members as soon as it is available.

Members said that until the biomass‑handling questions are resolved — including markets and costs for removal, reuse, or processing — it will be difficult to finalize policy or program recommendations tied to implementation funding. The transcript records no vote or formal action to allocate funds; members discussed options for pairing project proposals with funding sources and for providing fiscal notes that show the cost of inaction as well as funding pathways.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Colorado Forest Health Council, Legislative Committee, November 15, 2024","oneSentenceSummary","Members said a pending biomass study is key to policy recommendations and urged staff to clarify implementation funding; Larimer County cited a $200,000 DOLA grant for a county‑focused biomass analysis.","taxTitle","Department of Personnel & Administration, State Agencies, Organizations, Executive, Colorado","taxId",27552,"location","Colorado","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6709687,"Forest Health Council legislative committee sets timeline for recommendations, approves minutes",3598,7840,3606565,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5070897-e5d9344675f71aa6699ed599afa94bc6&start=7&end=3606","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5070897-e5d9344675f71aa6699ed599afa94bc6/thumbnail_7840.jpg","/articles/6709687/Colorado/Forest-Health-Council-legislative-committee-sets-timeline-for-recommendations-approves-minutes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6709687-74693af592d5ae8539ebc985336297f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770714328&Signature=MWGzKworjS8omMgBMQr8-bgR3EUeCIdyqRT3IzbSjSmCiV1wZYjlor9fBK7n9O5OyWtjnoi83xntbXd83xBzlAs-J72R1gS0SUTH2dxv2BPfrYCPsUpyLiFsBU~kkY6WCOFZ6F~jnNb9kVyoPpRt5zKyL58HMFiV8oczmgU-jJYlbOpWFSjzSKzyl5YU8-iwA7GWbGT5h2tb2Qok5S~M0ErpQE3kWZGCcSHB-ohUh9IVzyw5IqylOE9CNOBkF9PY-nA8DQMbViAum70owvjjfOVT9W0C9pBd08zfbGvif3nNbEX2NDtT5UioaPTC2xcut1xIIlPSHbPrSnyOBIPvQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Larimer County Commissioner Jody Shadd McNally, chair of the Colorado Forest Health Council legislative committee, opened the Nov. 15, 2024, meeting and said the committee must produce recommendations by February as it prepares for the council’s quarter‑one session.

The committee reviewed its calendar and confirmed it will meet through December and again before the council’s quarter‑one full meeting on Feb. 6. McNally said the Nov. 15 meeting was intended as a “level‑setting” conversation rather than a final decision session: “we have 4 meetings to have this conversation. But by February, we have to come up with some recommendations.”

Committee members agreed to share a compiled list of information requests and background materials before the next meeting so staff and volunteers can gather data without expecting an immediate, exhaustive report. Allison Lurch (staff) said the committee’s research list can be a “growing list” and staff will assemble available materials and follow up on items members offered to research.

The committee approved the minutes from its Nov. 1 meeting by voice vote. Mark Morgan moved to approve the minutes; Roberta (staff) seconded. Committee members responded “aye” and the chair declared the minutes approved.

Before adjourning, members discussed scheduling and outreach: the committee will circulate the consolidated list of follow‑up items and presentations to review ahead of the December meeting and the Feb. 6 council meeting. The meeting concluded after an adjournment motion was made and seconded and carried by voice vote.

Votes at a glance: Minutes approval — Motion to approve Nov. 1 minutes (moved: Mark Morgan; second: Roberta); outcome: approved by voice vote. Adjourn — Motion to adjourn (mover and seconder recorded as committee members); outcome: approved by voice vote.","The Colorado Forest Health Council legislative committee met Nov. 15, 2024, agreed on a schedule to finalize legislative recommendations by February and approved its Nov. 1 meeting minutes.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6709674,"Committee highlights shared stewardship, Good Neighbor Authority and workforce as tools to sustain forest projects amid federal uncertainty",240,2606300,2847145,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5070897-e5d9344675f71aa6699ed599afa94bc6&start=2606&end=2847","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5070897-e5d9344675f71aa6699ed599afa94bc6/thumbnail_2606300.jpg","/articles/6709674/Colorado/Committee-highlights-shared-stewardship-Good-Neighbor-Authority-and-workforce-as-tools-to-sustain-forest-projects-amid-federal-uncertainty","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6709674-559bb3e44bc5204f653f14324c35063e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770714328&Signature=UyvIyahbJKUkGj35zGRpff73oDqoh6kwBcqf8SuKC1szvWehTVnwhy3mfbkdP5LUQQYS9kHc44xV~5sjiDQXEST-Q~q~kHJoCZZUKz0u8yQ0qamL8cVEFsucj8rqB7MK2FXFgz1lpNIRkr4tHbOBJZ43fMA-wM-jOrq1fBVvl-o3O6~pFQcTeqCznB-L3V-UHZgHhgkQP~9Oq-ASLXtBATO3kiY0eSQF143g3R0LY8GOaGJY3hSwIGobHEHvyqMI1S7ARE298FQoPfIQ8LmqwcTLqtai5JPW4UwuIOSISJrO2xZVCnsNTlmqSpSkLNSPy7HgAJ7LJ6m5sNWcqpmx7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members reviewed presentations on shared stewardship and collaborative programs and identified the Good Neighbor Authority and stewardship contracting as key mechanisms to sustain cross‑boundary forest work if federal resources tighten.

Allison Lurch summarized the curated panel that included county, nonprofit and state perspectives and said relationships and trust are essential for effective cross‑boundary work. She noted Colorado’s use of the Good Neighbor Authority as a model for multi‑jurisdictional cooperation.

“We have programs in place that could support this cross‑boundary work,” Lurch said, adding that the Wellington fire provided a recent example where timely projects helped slow a fire in a community adjacent to a treatment. Committee members expressed concern about uncertainty in the U.S. Forest Service budget and urged exploring local strategies — such as steward contracts, shared stewardship agreements, seasonal workers, internships and partnerships with industry — to backstop federal funding reductions.

Members asked for more detailed information about shared stewardship contract models and the role of the Arkansas River Watershed Collaborative in facilitating stewardship contracting. They also requested data on the cost and staffing implications for seasonal employees who carry out prevention and detection work.

No new contracts or funds were approved at the meeting. Staff and volunteers agreed to compile examples of shared stewardship agreements, stewardship contracting case studies and workforce models for presentation at the next committee meeting.","Members discussed shared stewardship programs, the Good Neighbor Authority, stewardship contracting and the potential impact of USFS budget uncertainty on seasonal workforce and local project delivery.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6709678,"Committee cites return‑on‑investment studies and water‑forest nexus as central to legislative recommendations",0,1283995,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5070897-e5d9344675f71aa6699ed599afa94bc6&start=1283&end=1283","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5070897-e5d9344675f71aa6699ed599afa94bc6/thumbnail_1283995.jpg","/articles/6709678/Colorado/Committee-cites-returnoninvestment-studies-and-waterforest-nexus-as-central-to-legislative-recommendations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6709678-15d523dfb375d06d19704a13b3179e06/orig.mp4?Expires=1770714328&Signature=mSAAxzJf67pmy5BWWa4wQC9r7EntJUkgh-0xe2w9vA34a4kUH8lV4GK7bCouB~CaWm0qYLH8JzbbvvGjNtC8QPEBoOhN~NVMNI0siIvxjm3E5swSv2Jvtck1s8RG4Hoj5FkDWHWbwgS6Lho9lESBUKF1V5lMtLaPbKs2ukG2HH0Ku0b2tuc~Nt3IwCObG40ECL4k-xMVMqbF~vTw9EtdNRKgbV0eNrXQ7gvYrnPg6lM7D6bwmBK7JkfmEwHXFBIOSy-RuRTBiefeF2jhXym1U8NdBMoMkFpQonmQoIOjVuOhyKmDPZ7NJHAJcM-Iu7O50ek62oqkwxYhcR4ss~oaxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members discussed economic studies that quantify the benefit of proactive forest health and watershed investments and asked staff to compile relevant return‑on‑investment material for future deliberations.

Christina Burry referenced a 2024 figure she said showed a 13:1 return on investment for proactive spending on forest health: “there is a recent — the most recent statistic was a 13 to 1, cost benefit or return on investment.” Burry said other organizations — including Headwaters Economics and Denver Water — have also published ROI analyses specific to water utilities and watershed protection. Committee members recommended assembling those studies and any county‑level post‑fire cost accounting that could illustrate the “cost of not doing” prevention and mitigation work.

Members pointed to historical analyses conducted at Colorado State University and by USFS and water utilities. Mark Morgan noted earlier CSU work on wildfire costs and urged the committee to locate and synthesize existing analyses rather than duplicating effort. Committee staff and volunteers agreed to compile these materials into talking points and to provide them to the council before the next round of deliberations.

The committee discussed secondary and localized costs borne by residents and small governments after fires, including road repairs, post‑fire flooding mitigation, and the long wait for federal reimbursements. No policy changes or funding allocations were decided at this meeting; the committee instead asked staff to gather ROI studies and local cost data for future use.","Members discussed studies showing high returns for proactive forest and watershed work, asked staff to compile ROI analyses (including a recent '13 to 1' figure) and to gather water‑utility and post‑fire cost data.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee presses for quick finalization of biomass studies and flags implementation funding gap

Forest Health Council legislative committee sets timeline for recommendations, approves minutes

Committee highlights shared stewardship, Good Neighbor Authority and workforce as tools to sustain forest projects amid federal uncertainty

Committee cites return‑on‑investment studies and water‑forest nexus as central to legislative recommendations