The Parks and Wildlife Commission on July 18 approved final revisions to Chapter P-3 that change who reviews river‑outfitter license denials, nonrenewals and disciplinary actions.

Hillary Hernandez, regulations manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, told commissioners the amendments implement the river‑outfitter provisions of Senate Bill 24161. "Previously, decisions regarding license denial, non renewal, or disciplinary actions by Colorado Parks and Wildlife were subject to review by an external administrative law judge," Hernandez said. The new rules assign those review and discipline responsibilities to a CPW hearing officer; licensees may appeal hearing‑officer decisions to the CPW Commission.

The change shifts the administrative review from the Office of Administrative Courts to an in‑house hearing officer operating under the commission. CPW staff explained the hearing officer may impose disciplinary measures that include suspensions, revocations, probation or letters of admonition.

Ty Petersburg, chief of law enforcement and assistant director for field services, told commissioners the division will monitor workload and assess staffing needs. "We don't anticipate a huge load, but it could be, and that would be a process that goes through a decision item process for looking at FTEs," he said.

Commissioner Touchton moved to approve the revisions as presented; Commissioner Beaulieu seconded. The commission took a voice vote. The motion passed unanimously.

The action closes regulatory review for Chapter P-3 and directs staff to implement the new hearing‑officer process; licensees retain appeal rights to the commission under the new framework.

The commission did not identify a new effective date in the hearing but recorded the vote and directed staff to proceed with implementation steps.

Copies of the action item and the final regulatory text are part of the agenda packet.