Practices to Support Pollinators

Plain English Breakdown

The official text states agencies should prioritize plants 'when certain conditions are met' but does not list what those specific conditions are in the summary provided.

HB26-1132: Practices to Support Pollinators

This law encourages specific state agencies and the Office of the State Architect to use native plants that help pollinators, coordinate their work, train staff if funding allows, and study plant availability.

What This Bill Does

• Encourages covered agencies to prioritize ecoregionally specific plant material that supports pollinator habitats when certain conditions are met during vegetation projects.
• Requires covered agencies to coordinate with each other on purchasing decisions whenever possible.
• Requires covered agencies to establish training programs for relevant staff if funding is available.
• Directs agencies to integrate mowing and grazing methods based on a 2022 study starting January 1, 2028, when practical.
• Requires the Office of the State Architect to support sustainable sites that maximize pollinator health in state buildings and leased properties.
• Tasks the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Service with studying native plant availability and reporting results by August 1, 2031.

Who It Names or Affects

• The State Forest Service
• The Department of Natural Resources
• The Department of Personnel
• The Department of Transportation
• The Office of the State Architect
• The Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Service

Terms To Know

Ecoregionally specific plant material

Plants that are native to a particular geographic area and support pollinator habitats.

Covered agency

The state agencies named in the law: State Forest Service, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Personnel, and Department of Transportation.

Limits and Unknowns

• Agencies must follow these rules only to the extent that it is practical.
• Training programs for staff depend on whether funding is available.
• The study on native plant availability will not happen unless enough gifts, grants, or donations are received.

Official Summary Text

The act encourages the state forest service, the department of natural resources, the department of personnel, and the department of transportation (covered agency) to prioritize the use of ecoregionally specific plant material that supports pollinator habitats when certain conditions are met. In planning and executing a vegetation project, each covered agency is required to satisfy certain requirements.
To the extent practicable, each covered agency shall coordinate with the other covered agencies with regard to purchasing.
Each covered agency, subject to available funding, shall establish a training program for relevant staff that includes certain minimum components.
On and after January 1, 2028, to the extent practicable, each covered agency shall integrate mowing and grazing based on recommendations included in the 2022 study commissioned by the department of natural resources pursuant to Senate Bill 22-199.
The act requires the office of the state architect to support and encourage the development and renovation of sustainable sites to maximize pollinator health on properties within the state capitol complex, other state buildings, and, where applicable, on leased property.
The act requires the Colorado state university cooperative extension service (extension) to perform a Colorado native plant availability study (study) in consultation with certain parties. On or before August 1, 2031, the extension shall issue a report summarizing the results of the study. The extension shall make the report publicly available on its website and provide copies of the report to the governor and specified legislative committees of reference.
The extension may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, and donations for the purpose of implementing the act. The extension is not required to perform the study or issue a report unless and until the extension acquires sufficient gifts, grants, and donations to pay for the performance of such duties.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)