(1) There is hereby established a statewide Colorado natural areas program to implement the intent and provisions of this article. The program shall be administered by the commission through the division with the advice of the council.
The program shall identify and protect certain natural areas in this state which provide, among other benefits, the following benefits:
Serve as examples of the native condition in studies relating to air, water, and soilquality and habitat productivity;
Serve as resource material from which new knowledge may be derived and as areservoir of genetic material which has present and future value to scientific inquiry;
Provide habitat for rare or endangered animal or plant species;
Serve as outdoor classrooms and laboratories for scientific study by students of allages; or
Serve as areas of natural beauty, inspiration, and diversity which meet aesthetic needs and which enrich the meaning and enjoyment of human life.
Source: L. 88: Entire article added, p. 1175, § 1, effective March 23. L. 2012: (1) amended, (HB 12-1317), ch. 248, p. 1232, § 80, effective June 4.