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Habitat Stamp program briefed; stakeholders urge making program permanent
Summary
The Colorado Wildlife Council and Colorado Wildlife Conservation Project urged the committee to reauthorize the Habitat Stamp program (surcharge on hunting and fishing licenses that funds habitat acquisition and public access), arguing it has preserved large tracts of habitat and provides public benefits for hunters, anglers and wildlife viewers.
Dan Gates, chair of the Colorado Wildlife Council, and Gaspar Perricone of the Colorado Wildlife Conservation Project briefed the committee on the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program and the council’s public‑education campaign. Gates described the program’s origins (1998 council, statutory surcharge mechanism) and the recent growth of its public education budget funded by a $1.50 habitat‑stamp surcharge.
Perricone explained the Habitat Stamp Program: hunters and anglers must purchase a habitat stamp to be eligible for licenses; revenue is used for easements, public access and habitat protection, with emphasis on big‑game winter range, migration corridors and species of concern such as sage grouse. The program prioritizes private‑land partnerships and has leveraged other state and federal funds, Perricone said, and proponents recommended making the program permanent rather than subject to future sunset review.
Why it matters: Witnesses said the fund and committee have conserved large, contiguous parcels and created recreational access otherwise unavailable in many private‑land portions of the state. The committee took the briefing as context for an approaching committee bill to reauthorize the program (committee bill 13) and several members thanked the presenters.
