Continuing to Prepare for, Prevent, & Respond to Wildfires: Governor Polis Signs Bills into Law

COLORADO SPRINGS - Today, Governor Polis will sign bills into law to upon the Polis administration’s ongoing work in partnership with the legislature to prepare for, prevent, and respond to wildfires. 

“With wildfire season becoming a year-round reality in Colorado, we are taking bold action to increase the state’s fire preparedness and quickly respond to fires, support first responders, and provide more efficient response times that save Coloradans money by reducing fire spread and property damage and I am proud to sign these bills into law,” said Governor Polis. 

This morning at the residence of a Marshall Fire victim who is rebuilding, Governor Polis signed legislation into law to make sure Coloradans have the insurance they need in the event of a fire, flood, or other natural disaster. Governor Polis signed HB23-1174 Homeowner's Insurance Underinsurance sponsored by Representatives Judy Amabile and Kyle Brown, Senators Mark Baisley and Dylan Roberts, to increase transparency and ensure homeowners have the adequate resources they need in the event that their home is impacted by a natural disaster, minimizing the risk of being underinsured. Governor Polis also signed HB23-1288 Fair Access To Insurance Requirements Plan sponsored by House Speaker Julie McCluskie, Representative Judy Amabile, and Senator Dylan Roberts to create the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan (FAIR Plan) Association, helping more Coloradans get the coverage they need. 

Governor Polis signed into law HB23-1240 Sales Use Tax Exemption Wildfire Disaster Construction sponsored by Representatives Kyle Brown and Judy Amabile, Senate President Steve Fenberg, to waive sales and use tax on construction materials for communities rebuilding from wildfires that took place over the last two years, providing needed relief and support for recovery and rebuilding efforts particularly in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire.  Governor Polis also signed HB23-1254 Habitability of Residential Premises sponsored by Representatives Kyle Brown and Javier Mabrey, Senator Lisa Cutter to make sure that rental properties that face environmental disaster whether from wildfires, floods, or other event, are returned to safe conditions for tenants.

Governor Polis then headed to Morrison and he will sign a package of bills at the Inter-Canyon Fire protection district. The Governor will sign off on SB23-166 Establishment Of A Wildfire Resiliency Code Board sponsored by Representatives Meg Froelich and Elizabeth Velasco, Senators  Lisa Cutter and Tony Exum, to reduce wildfire risk, prepare for the future, and make Colorado a safer place to live. Gov. Polis will also sign SB23-013 Fire Investigations sponsored by Senators Joann Ginal and Lisa Cutter, Representative Tammy Story, allowing the Division of Fire Prevention and Control to investigate and report on the causes of wildland fires and take valuable lessons that can help prevent future fires.  

Last July, Gov. Polis was in Evergreen to announces wildfire prevention and forest health management grants for communities  and today the Governor is continuing to build upon bold workforce development investments, Governor Polis will sign SB23-005 Forestry And Wildfire Mitigation Workforce sponsored by Senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis and Lisa Cutter, Representatives Mike Lynch and Marc Snyder to support essential workers including thoseworking in timber, forest health, and wildfire mitigation by creating more opportunities for young people to get the training they need to build a career in these fields.

This afternoon, at Fire Station #18 in Colorado Springs, Governor Polis will sign legislation to make Colorado communities safer and ensure Colorado’s emergency alert and evacuation systems are as efficient and effective as possible, helping to save lives in the event of an emergency. 

Governor Polis will also sign HB23-1237 Inclusive Language Emergency Situations sponsored by Representative Elizabeth Velasco, Senators Perry Will and Tony Exum to make sure that every person - no matter what language they speak - will be able to receive and understand emergency alerts. Governor Polis will also sign HB23-1075 Wildfire Evacuation And Clearance Time Modeling sponsored by Representatives Marc Snyder and Junie Joseph, Senators Tony Exum.  Governor Polis will also sign HB23-1273 Creation Of Wildfire Resilient Homes Grant Program sponsored by Representatives Marc Snyder and Junie Joseph, Senator Dylan Roberts to help make more Colorado homes and communities safer from the impacts of wildland fires while saving people money on critical improvements. 

The Polis administration, in partnership with the legislature, has made bold investments in fire prevention and response, including by making sure Colorado has the tools and resources necessary to respond quickly when fires break out, saving lives, reducing property damage, and protecting brave firefighters. 

Later this afternoon, Governor Polis will sign SB23-161 Financing To Purchase Firefighting Aircraft sponsored by Representative Mike Lynch and House Speaker Julie McCluskie, Senate President Steve Fenberg, and Senator Perry Will to authorize the purchase of a second Firehawk helicopter. This helicopter is one of the most effective of its kind - capable of performing both firefighting and non-fire missions - and will have a transformative impact on Colorado’s wildfire response efforts.