Colorado § 24-48.5-129 - Outdoor recreation industry office - creation - duties - outdoor recreation economic development cash fund - legislative declaration.

§ 24-48.5-129. Outdoor recreation industry office - creation - duties - outdoor recreation economic development cash fund - legislative declaration.

(1) (a) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:

(I) Colorado's outdoor recreation industry is vital to Colorado's diverse economy and the general welfare of Coloradans;

(II) The continued growth and health of the outdoor recreation economy requires the state's coordination, promotion, and support;

(III) Colorado's natural beauty, including twenty-two million acres of public land, one hundred five thousand three hundred forty-four miles of rivers, six hundred ninety peaks over thirteen thousand feet high, as well as prairies, mountain valleys, and desert canyons, form the backbone of the outdoor recreation industry and provide diverse recreation opportunities that improve Coloradans' health, enhance Coloradans' quality of life, and strengthen Colorado's economy;

(IV) Since the governor formed the outdoor recreation industry office in the office of economic development in 2015, the outdoor recreation industry office has:

(A) Coordinated resources and industry promotion and informed policy;

(B) Engaged federal, tribal, state, and local governments and economic development organizations to attract, retain, and expand businesses and market the outdoor recreation economy;

(C) Promoted workforce training programs, skill mastery, and lifelong learning opportunities; and

(D) Facilitated public-private partnerships to enhance public outdoor recreational access, infrastructure improvements, and conservation efforts;

(V) Colorado's outdoor recreation industry office supports and grows the economic value of Colorado's natural assets, which draw millions of visitors each year, generate billions of dollars in tax revenue, and employ over half a million Coloradans; and

(VI) Colorado's outdoor recreation industry builds the economy in lesser-known ways, such as aiding employee recruitment and retention, driving development near recreation opportunities, fostering product manufacturing and entrepreneurialism, attracting telecommuters and retirees, and bringing high-tech and advanced industries to Colorado.

(b) The general assembly, therefore, declares it to be the policy of Colorado to continue to:

(I) Cultivate and promote the state's coordinated development of the outdoor recreation industry in Colorado;

(II) Protect and conserve our public lands, waters, air, and climate; and

(III) Partner with the outdoor recreation industry to ensure that the industry serves as a good steward of Colorado's unique natural beauty and assets.

(c) The general assembly further finds and declares that the state must partner with the outdoor industry to promote efforts that increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in the outdoors and must ensure all Coloradans can partake in and benefit from Colorado's many outdoor recreation opportunities.

(d) The general assembly further finds and declares that cultivation and development of the outdoor recreation industry requires a unified and collaborative statewide effort, and the outdoor recreation industry office, as codified by this section shall, to the extent possible, serve as the state's primary coordinating body to work with relevant federal, state, and local governments and nongovernmental organizations to promote and support the outdoor recreation industry.

(2) The outdoor recreation industry office is hereby created within the office of economic development. The director of the outdoor recreation industry office is designated by and shall report to the director of the office of economic development.

(3) The outdoor recreation industry office shall:

(a) Serve as Colorado's central coordinator of outdoor recreation industry matters, which includes resource development, industry promotion, and connection with the constituents, businesses, and communities that rely on the health of Colorado's outdoor recreation economy;

(b) Make recommendations that inform the governor's policy on outdoor recreation industry matters, including policy on business issues unique to the outdoor recreation industry;

(c) Coordinate and support the outdoor recreation industry in Colorado by promoting economic development, conservation, stewardship, education, workforce training, and public health and wellness; and

(d) Address the chronic and systemic inequities that prevent underserved youth and communities from engaging in meaningful outdoor recreation experiences and career pathways in the outdoor recreation industry

(4) (a) The outdoor recreation economic development cash fund is created in the state treasury. The fund consists of money transferred to the fund pursuant to section 44-40-111 (12)(b) and any other money that the general assembly may appropriate or transfer to the fund.

(b) The state treasurer shall credit all interest and income derived from the deposit and investment of money in the outdoor recreation economic development cash fund to the fund until money is first transferred to the fund pursuant to section 44-40-111 (12)(b). Thereafter, the state treasurer shall credit all interest and income derived from the deposit and investment of money in the fund to the general fund.

(c) Money transferred to the outdoor recreation economic development cash fund pursuant to section 44-40-111 (12)(b) and any income and interest derived from the deposit and investment of such money is exempt from any restriction on spending, revenue, or appropriations, including, without limitation, the restrictions of section 20 of article X of the state constitution.

(d) Subject to annual appropriation by the general assembly, the outdoor recreation industry office may expend money from the outdoor recreation economic development cash fund to execute its duties as set forth in subsection (3) of this section. Any money appropriated from the fund that is not expended or encumbered at the end of the fiscal year remains available for expenditure by the outdoor recreation industry office for the next two fiscal years without further appropriation.

(5) The outdoor recreation industry office may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, and donations, loans of money, or aid in any form from private or public sources for the purposes of this section. The outdoor recreation industry office shall transmit all money received through gifts, grants, or donations to the state treasurer, who shall credit the money to the outdoor recreation economic development cash fund.

Source: L. 2021: Entire section added, (HB 21-1223), ch. 162, p. 917, § 1, effective September 7. L. 2025: (4) and (5) added, (HB 25-1215), ch. 312, p. 1630, § 5, effective May 30.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 25-1215, see section 1 of chapter 312, Session Laws of Colorado 2025.