Colorado workforce bill impacts RMRI landscapes

Last year, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed SB23-005 into law, incentivizing the timber, wildfire mitigation and forest health industries. The bill, titled Forestry And Wildfire Mitigation Workforce, directs the Colorado State Forest Service to develop educational materials for high school students about career opportunities in forestry and wildfire mitigation. Additionally, the bill authorizes the expansion and creation of forestry programs and establishes a program to reimburse employers for hiring interns. 

In 2023, RMRI Workforce Capacity Subcommittee leaders Molly Pitts, Executive Director of the Colorado Timber Industry Association (now with NWTF), and Tim Reader of the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) advised the Forest Health Council and the Wildfire Matters Review Committee on the state of the workforce in the timber, wildfire mitigation and forest health industries. The bill is having an impact among RMRI partners and landscapes.

Colorado State Forest Service

SB005-23 specifically tasks the CSFS to:

(1) Develop and administer a “Timber, Forest Health, and Wildfire Mitigation” Industries internship program and

(2) Develop career informational materials for distribution to K-12 educational institutions to inform and promote careers in the three career pathways identified in the legislation.

More staffing and funding helps address workforce challenges related to the three industries that are the focus of the legislation.

Additionally, the bill has increased opportunities for collaboration between CSFS and the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Colorado State University and community colleges.

Highlights from the 2024 Colorado Water Congress

The workshop kicked off with a leadership panel with Frank Beum of the Forest Service, Dan Gibbs of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Matt McCombs of the Colorado State Forest Service, Doug Vilsack of the Bureau of Land Management and Clint Evans of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Discussions centered around the innovative approaches embodied by the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, RMRI, and Shared Stewardship, emphasizing a paradigm shift in operational approaches.

RMRI PARTNERS

RMRI at 2024 NWTF Convention

RMRI co-convener the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) held their 48^th annual convention Feb. 14-18, 2024. RMRI staff assigned to the U.S. Forest Service and NWTF from Colorado participated to share updates, connect with partners and celebrate another phenomenal year. Video by Liz Dowling.