The Senate on Aug. 21 approved Senate Bill 005, which reallocates funding from the Division of Parks and Wildlife intended for gray-wolf reintroduction and moves $264,000 to Colorado’s Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise, the clerk reported.

Senator Roberts, a sponsor, moved final passage and supporters urged colleagues to approve the reallocation as a way to avoid general-fund spending and address rural health affordability. Senator Catlin told the chamber that the measure accomplishes a part of the original policy goal and asked for a yes vote, saying "part of it is better than none of it."

Opponents, including Senator Sullivan, said they opposed the bill on principle because it pauses or changes the wolf reintroduction program’s funding and described strong public interest during committee hearings. Sullivan said the bill’s effect was to keep wolves being reintroduced and shift $264,000 to health affordability, and that she would vote no on principle.

Other senators discussed the possibility of outside donations and whether general-fund money would be used; supporters said no general-fund dollars would purchase wolves under the measure. Senator Zamora Wilson and others raised fiscal concerns and longer-term economic consequences for rural providers.

The Senate voted; the clerk announced the roll-call result as 32 ayes, 3 no. Senators Wallace, Cutter and Sullivan were recorded as voting no. SB005 passed on final reading.