Council expands legislative committee charter to include federal policy tracking; amendment approved

The Forest Health Council voted Oct. 29 to modify the legislative committee's charter to permit tracking and limited engagement on federal legislative matters.

Courtney (chair) and Allison Lerch presented the proposed edits, which add "federal legislative matters" to the committee's advisory functions and tighten language about coordination with the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. During discussion members urged the committee to include other state agencies where appropriate (for example, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for smoke and air‑quality matters) and the attorney‑general's office recommended framing that coordination "as relevant" to avoid an unconditional requirement to consult every department on every issue.

Commissioner Jody Shattuck McNally moved to approve the edits as amended; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. Members said the change is intended to let the council receive federal policy briefings and weigh in where state coordination is useful, while proceeding cautiously about taking formal positions on federal bills.

The amendment directs the legislative committee to liaise with DNR and coordinate ("and other appropriate state departments as relevant") when federal policy questions intersect state responsibilities. The council did not vote on any specific federal legislation and instructed the committee to proceed slowly with limited, information‑sharing engagements for now.