FundingFiscal estimate
The question: What goes to wildfire, forests, and water in the first year?
In 2027–28, it would fund up to $36.5m for the state forest service and $36.6m for natural resources to protect communities, landscapes, and watersheds.
The Blue Book estimates up to $36.5 million for the Colorado State Forest Service and $36.6 million for the Department of Natural Resources in 2027–28, plus a one-time $10 million prescribed-fire claims transfer. All three are inside the wildfire and water allocation.
Our explanation · Sources checked October 6, 2026
| Use | 2027–28 | 2028–29 |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado State Forest Service | Up to $36.5m | Up to $42.8m |
| Department of Natural Resources | Up to $36.6m | Up to $42.8m |
| Prescribed-fire claims (Public Safety) | $10.0m | $0 |
Table 1, selected rows. The one-time $10 million is included in the wildfire and water share, not added to it. The figures are estimates, not guaranteed spending.
Check the original, page 68The evidence
2 excerpts“In budget year 2027-28, a one-time investment of $10.0 million would be made out of the total funding available to pay for damages that may arise from the use of prescribed fires.”
Page 65, wildfire and watershed funding
Colorado Legislative Council Staff
2026 Blue Book: Proposition 137“TEN MILLION DOLLARS TO THE PRESCRIBED FIRE CLAIMS CASH FUND”
Page 7, proposed §24-33-119(2)(a)
Colorado Secretary of State
Initiative #308: final filed textHow to read this
In the first year, the $10 million transfer is made first, and the remaining wildfire and water money is split equally between the forest-service and natural-resources programs. Starting in 2028–29, the proposed text divides that fund equally without repeating this one-time transfer.
What to keep in mind
The $42.8 million agency figures belong to the 2028–29 forecast, not the initial year. Adding two $42.8 million amounts and another $10 million as first-year funding would mix fiscal years and overstate the initial allocation. Displayed estimates are rounded.