§ 35-73-101. Short Title
The short title of this article 73 is the “Voluntary Soil Health Program Act”. Source: L. 2021: Entire article added, (HB 21-1181), ch. 279, p. 1607, § 2, effective September 7.
§ 35-73-102. Definitions
As used in this article 73, unless the context otherwise requires: “Advisory committee” means the soil health advisory committee created in section 35-73-106. “Commissioner” means the commissioner of agriculture or the commissioner’s authorized agent. “Department” means the department of agriculture and includes the state agricultural commission created in section 35-1-105, the commissioner, and all employees […]
§ 35-73-103. Colorado Soil Health Program – Created – Purposes
The Colorado soil health program is hereby established in the department to encourage widespread adoption of soil health practices by agricultural producers, promote environmental benefits, and advance the understanding of the environmental and economic benefits of soil health practices. Source: L. 2021: Entire article added, (HB 21-1181), ch. 279, p. 1608, § 2, effective September […]
§ 35-73-104. Program Development – Programs, Grants, Systems, and Inventories and Platforms
In consultation with the advisory committee and in accordance with subsection (4) of this section, the department shall establish the following if financial resources are available: A grant program for eligible entities to engage in soil health activities; A system for monitoring the agricultural, environmental, or economic benefits of soil health practices as demonstrated by […]
§ 35-73-105. Powers and Duties of the Department
In carrying out this article 73, the department may: Seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations from private or public sources for the purposes of this article 73, but the department shall not pledge the faith or credit of the state of Colorado or any county or other political subdivision. In connection with the […]
§ 35-73-106. Soil Health Advisory Committee – Repeal
The soil health advisory committee is hereby created. The commissioner shall appoint no less than nine members to the committee. The commissioner shall appoint members who: Represent the different geographic areas and demographic diversity of the state and reflect the political diversity of the state to the greatest extent possible; Include agricultural producers of diverse […]
§ 35-73-107. Landowner, Land Manager, and Agricultural Producer Information – Confidentiality
The department shall not disclose records, including analyses and maps, compiled or maintained in accordance with this article 73 that are based on information related to private lands and identify or allow to be identified any specific Colorado landowners, land managers, agricultural producers, or parcels of land; except that the department may disclose summary or […]
§ 35-73-108. Reporting Requirement
No later than January 31 of each year, the department shall prepare and make available to the public a report on its official website that must contain the following information for the previous year: An accounting of all money received and spent for the soil health program; A description of activities undertaken, including the number […]