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ColoradoHB25-10092025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Vegetative Fuel Mitigation

Sponsored By: Junie Joseph (Democratic), Lisa Cutter (Democratic), Nick Hinrichsen (Democratic), Tisha Mauro (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Natural Resources & Environment

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Homeowners face fuel-removal rules with fine protections

Colorado fire protection districts, and metropolitan districts providing fire protection, can require owners or occupants to remove burnable vegetation from private property. Participation is optional for districts. Tax-assessor-classified agricultural land and tax-exempt nonprofit-owned property leased for agriculture are excluded. Programs must follow the 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code, a later International Code Council code, or Colorado wildfire board standards. Districts must provide public notice and comment, post rules online, and name a program manager; fire protection districts must hold hearings. Before a fine, districts must send two written notices at least 10 days apart and wait another 10 days after the second. A third notice may be sent by certified mail. Only one fine is allowed per property per incident; it must approximate removal costs and cannot exceed $300. Removing the fuel within 10 days after the assessment notice cancels the fine. Districts may also waive fines or extend deadlines for weather delays or good-faith removal efforts. The act's effective-date rule is 12:01 a.m. the day after 90 days following final legislative adjournment, unless a referendum petition is filed. A referendum requires approval at the November 2026 general election, with effectiveness upon the governor's official declaration of the vote.

Fuel-removal help prioritizes households needing support

Districts must spend fuel-removal fine money only on removing burnable vegetation from private property within their boundaries. They must prioritize help for low-income owners or occupants, seniors, and people with disabilities. Help depends on collected fines, and no household is guaranteed assistance.

Property owners get wildfire fine protections

Owners and occupants fined under a district fuel-removal program can object before the district board. The board may reduce or cancel an unlawful fine, or grant relief for inability to pay or removal after assessment. Filing an objection does not automatically cancel the fine. Districts cannot place a lien until the same property has at least five unpaid program fines. They cannot foreclose on that lien, and it cannot outrank an earlier lien.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Junie Joseph

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Cutter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Nick Hinrichsen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tisha Mauro

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Andrew Boesenecker

    Democratic • House

  • Bob Marshall

    Democratic • House

  • Brianna Titone

    Democratic • House

  • Elizabeth Velasco

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer Bacon

    Democratic • House

  • Jamie Jackson

    Democratic • House

  • Julie McCluskie

    Democratic • House

  • Jenny Willford

    Democratic • House

  • Kyle Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Matthew Martinez

    Democratic • House

  • Rep. S. Bird

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Steven Woodrow

    Democratic • House

  • Cathy Kipp

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dafna Michaelson Jenet

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sen. F. Winter

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Iman Jodeh

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tony Exum

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 172 • No: 81

House vote • 3/17/2025

Senate amendments: Concur

Yes: 43 • No: 20

House vote • 3/17/2025

Senate amendments: Repass

Yes: 43 • No: 20

Senate vote • 3/11/2025

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 22 • No: 12

Senate vote • 3/5/2025

Refer House Bill 25-1009, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 5 • No: 2

House vote • 2/7/2025

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 42 • No: 20

House vote • 2/3/2025

Refer House Bill 25-1009, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 9 • No: 4

House vote • 2/3/2025

Adopt amendment L.003

Yes: 8 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    3/31/2025House

  2. Sent to the Governor

    3/26/2025House

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    3/25/2025Senate

  4. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    3/24/2025House

  5. House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass

    3/17/2025House

  6. House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily

    3/12/2025House

  7. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    3/11/2025Senate

  8. Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee

    3/10/2025Senate

  9. Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole

    3/5/2025Senate

  10. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Agriculture & Natural Resources

    2/11/2025Senate

  11. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    2/7/2025House

  12. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor

    2/6/2025House

  13. House Committee on Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole

    2/3/2025House

  14. Introduced In House - Assigned to Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources

    1/8/2025House

Bill Text

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