Bipartisan Martinez Bill to Support Wildlife and Property Owners Passes Committee

DENVER, CO - The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Representative Matthew Martinez that would make the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program permanent. 

“The Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program has been pivotal in helping property owners protect wildlife and outdoor recreation on their properties, and I’m proud to sponsor legislation to make the program permanent,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “Colorado’s natural beauty is one of our biggest draws, and property owners want to do their part in protecting our environment. We’re helping rural Coloradans, like my district in Southern Colorado, be good stewards of their land and protect Colorado for future generations to enjoy.”

The Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program offers funding opportunities for landowners who want to protect wildlife habitats, provide wildlife-related recreational access to the public or sell their property to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The program, which is funded by hunting and fishing licenses, is currently set to sunset on July 1, 2027. SB25-049 would continue the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program indefinitely. With support from Great Outdoors Colorado and federal funding, the program has secured over 290,000 acres of conservation easements and over 146,000 acres of public access. SB25-049, also sponsored by Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter, passed by a vote of 13-0.

The committee also passed SB25-176, also sponsored by Rep. Matthew Martinez and Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter, to extend the Commodity Handler and Farm Products Act until 2032 to continue the regulation of commodity and farm products. The bill would also increase the limit on the amount of farm products or commodities that a person could buy from $20,000 to $45,000 and allow the amount to be adjusted periodically. SB25-176 passed by a vote of 13-0.