(1) (a) In order to improve protection of the public by enhancing access to information by homeowners, wildland fire professionals, the media, and educators, there is hereby created in the division the wildfire information and resource center, also referred to in this section as the "center".
(b) The center must be operational within sixty days of May 14, 2014.
(2) (a) The center is an online source of wildfire information for homeowners, wildland fire professionals, the media, and educators.
(b) The center's website must include information, or hyperlinks to information, regarding:
Current wildfires in Colorado;
How to prevent and prepare for a wildfire;
Statewide fire danger and current burning restrictions;
Current prescribed burn activity, with contact information for the responsible agency;
Wildland and prescribed fire training;
Sources of funding for wildfire mitigation activities; and
Other information that the director deems pertinent, such as results of local, state,or national research related to wildfire.
The director may fulfill any of the duties contained in subsection (2) of this sectionthrough the use of public-private partnerships with one or more private or public entities.
(a) The division is authorized to seek and accept gifts, grants, donations, or reimbursements from private or public sources for the purposes of this section.
(b) The general assembly finds that the implementation of this section does not rely entirely or in any part on the receipt of adequate funding through gifts, grants, or donations. Therefore, the division is not subject to the notice requirements specified in section 24-75-1303 (3).
Source: L. 2014: Entire section added, (SB 14-008), ch. 178, p. 651, § 2, effective May 14.