Committee advances bill to centralize county wildfire updates on state website

The Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee advanced Senate Bill 25015 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation, voting 12-0 with one member excused.

The bill would require the Department of Public Safety, through the Division of Fire Prevention and Control, to maintain a Wildfire Information and Resource Center website that includes direct links to county emergency websites so residents can more quickly find localized wildfire and emergency updates.

The purpose of the bill, sponsor Representative Morrow said, is to “enhance public access to timely, localized wildfire and emergency updates.” Representative Morrow said the bill centralizes emergency updates while allowing counties to “maintain control of their own information.”

Lance Waring, San Miguel County commissioner and board president of Colorado Communities for Climate Action, testified in support. “It’s essential for the public to have easy access to information during an emergency, especially a wildfire,” Waring said, describing local wildfire risk in his county and recounting a March 2 controlled burn that spread to an outbuilding.

Committee members asked why statutory language was necessary rather than an administrative website update. Representative Garcia Sander and another member questioned whether the Department could simply update its site. Representative Morrow replied, “I do not know. I’m assuming there’s a reason because they came and asked us to do it.”

No amendments were offered during the committee hearing. One remote witness testified in favor. Miss Kelly called the roll for a final vote in which the measure passed twelve to zero with Representative Velasco excused. The bill will next be considered by the Committee of the Whole.

The committee chair recessed briefly during consideration to allow absent members to return for the vote.