Colorado § 23-31-319 - Forest service seedling tree nursery - necessary upgrades and improvements - definition - funding - reports - repeal.

§ 23-31-319. Forest service seedling tree nursery - necessary upgrades and improvements - definition - funding - reports - repeal.

(1) Definition. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "nursery" means the Colorado state forest service seedling tree nursery located on the foothills campus of Colorado state university in Fort Collins and operated by the Colorado state forest service.

(2) Greenhouses. To upgrade greenhouses and expand their capacity, the nursery shall:

(a) Repair existing structures as needed;

(b) Add square footage to existing structures or construct new structures;

(c) Replace pumps and other equipment with equipment that is calibrated for current nutrient delivery standards;

(d) Implement energy efficiency measures;

(e) Implement modern pest control measures; and

(f) Upgrade water delivery systems, including irrigation systems.

(2.5) Field upgrades. To upgrade the fields where the nursery grows bare-root trees and shrubs, the nursery shall:

(a) Install a new pump and pump house;

(b) Overhaul the irrigation system; and

(c) Grade and improve the roads to and within the fields.

(3) Shade house structures. To improve and expand shade house structures, the nursery shall:

(a) Remove and replace existing rotted structures;

(b) Refill and level sunken or eroded ground;

(c) Install new foundations;

(d) Install new irrigation lines; and

(e) Add square footage to existing structures, construct new structures, or both.

(3.5) Seed storage cooler. To improve the capacity, security, and energy efficiency of seed storage, the nursery shall purchase a new seed storage cooler.

(4) Containers and shipping supplies. To prepare for increased production, the nursery shall:

(a) Purchase sufficient containers and shipping materials to serve the nursery's storage and shipping needs; and

(b) Purchase a pressure washer to clean and sterilize containers for reuse.

(4.5) Delivery trucks. To improve the timeliness of deliveries and eliminate the cost of renting delivery trucks, the nursery shall purchase two refrigerated box trucks.

(5) Capacity, expertise, and infrastructure analysis. To guide further investment in the modernization of the nursery, the nursery shall contract with nursery management and reforestation professionals to conduct an analysis of priority capacity and knowledge investments that are necessary to address reforestation needs in response to more frequent and intense wildfire, flood, insect, and disease incidents.

(6) Appropriation. For the 2022-23 and 2023-24 state fiscal years, the general assembly shall appropriate money to the Colorado state university system for allocation to and expenditure by the Colorado state forest service for the purposes specified in this section. Any money appropriated by the general assembly pursuant to this subsection (6) that is not expended before the end of the fiscal year for which it is appropriated remains available for expenditure for the same purposes until the close of the 2026-27 state fiscal year.

(7) Repealed.

(8) Repeal. This section is repealed, effective June 30, 2027.

Source: L. 2022: Entire section added, (HB 22-1323), ch. 434, p. 3058, § 2, effective August 10. L. 2023: (2.5), (3.5), and (4.5) added and (6) and (8) amended, (HB 23-1060), ch. 185, p. 904, § 1, effective August 7. L. 2025: (6) and (8) amended, (SB 25-115), ch. 4, p. 10, § 1, effective February 27. L. 2026: (7) repealed, (SB 26-169), ch. 311, p. 1803, § 24, effective August 12.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 22-1323, see section 1 of chapter 434, Session Laws of Colorado 2022.