Where Do Avalanches Belong?

Bill Number: HB13-1057

Bill Title: Retain Avalanche Information Center In The Department of Natural Resources

Sponsored by: Representative Diane Mitsch Bush and Senator Jeanne Nicholson.

So what’s up with this bill? It’s one of the first pieces of legislation this session to make it to committee, scheduled for today, and it’s “part two” of a bill that was passed last year.

Background:

Last year the Colorado Geological Survey, known as the CGS, was scheduled to transfer from the Department of Natural Resources to the Colorado School of Mines in January 2013, as a result of bipartisan bill HB12-1355. The reasoning was that since the school handled so much of the data concerning geology in Colorado, it only made sense that they should have the CGS too. Money wise, federal dollars are granted to the CGS so it can operate- about $5 million for 36 full time employees. To operate the CGS, the School of Mines would receive those federal grants.

What does the CGS actually do? It’s responsible for determining the development of natural resources and promoting economies dependent on them. That applies to mining (minerals and coal), oil drilling, lumbering, water use, basically anything that can be done to the land.   

They are directed to draw up maps and surveys, and compile basic information to be used by consultants, industry, local governments, even environmentalists. The people and organizations that end up shaping the way Colorado’s land is used. Natural geological hazards are something CGS is mindful of too, which brings us to avalanches.

In last year’s bipartisan bill the Colorado avalanche information center, CAIC, inside the CGS, was set to be transferred to the school as well. CAIC is actually pretty important. It produces daily updates for snowboarders, skiers, snowmobiliers, snowshoers, and local communities on the conditions of the snow and mountains. Additionally, CAIC offers training for anyone from children to wilderness experts on how to avoid, and survive!, avalanches. They must charge a fee, through the county the lessons are held in, to offer the training courses.

In this year’s bill, sponsored solely by Democrats, CAIC will not be moved along with the CGS but instead kept by the Department of Natural Resources…the very department originally ceding the entire CGS to the School of Mines. 

Monday's hearing on the bill:

This bill was introduced in the House and assigned to two committees, first the Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources committee, second the Appropriations committee. Both are chaired by Democrats which means they will likely be favorable toward a fellow Democrat’s bill.  As procedure goes, the House Sponsor of the bill, in this case Rep. Mitsch Bush, presents it to the committee and summarizes why it’s necessary. Today she brought with her some witnesses to help make the argument, Andy White and Ethan Green, both from the Department of Natural Resources.

Their reason for retaining CAIC with the DNR was simple enough: because CAIC must charge a fee for conducting training on how to avoid and survive avalanches, that money is funneled through county level administration before it gets back to the DNR. If CAIC were to move with the CGS to the School of Mines, the whole pay organization structure for the training classes would be thrown into disarray. Instructors wouldn’t receive paychecks for months on end, and those daily avalanche updates that keep Colorado natives and tourists safe might be disrupted.

After minimal deliberation on the matter, all committee members (Democrats and Republicans) voted in favor of the bill heading to its next stop, the Appropriations Committee.  That means it survived. 

What’s next for HB13-1057?

Even though there is no fiscal impact to the state if CAIC stays with the DNR, Appropriations is still the next destination. The Appropriations Committee usually hears bills dealing with changes in revenue, but more on that another time. If the bill survives that committee it still has a long road ahead of it before Governor Hickenlooper signs it into law.

Stay tuned!