A much-anticipated report from Gov. John Hickenlooper’s administration on whether Colorado should have its own air fleet to combat deadly wildfires recommends far more ambitious strategies than a measure being proposed in the state legislature.
The report from Paul L. Cooke, head of Colorado’s Division of Fire Prevention and Control, says that while the state should not own its own air fleet, money should be spent to contract for use of four helicopters, four single-engine air tankers and two large fixed-winged air tankers, among other suggestions.
According to the report unveiled Friday, the measures would cost the state about $33 million this year — almost triple the cost estimate of a bipartisan bill currently in the legislature that calls for the state to lease or contract three helicopters in 2014. The report stops short of saying the state should purchase its own fleet; instead, it specifically recommends that Colorado contract with private aircraft operators.
For months, Hickenlooper has insisted that before he backs any funding efforts for a state air fleet, he wants to see Cooke’s report and look at the cost-benefit analysis.
Cooke’s report marks a victory for state Sen. Steve King, who has been vocal about the desire for the state to have funding for its own air fleet for the past two years.
The Grand Junction Republican and Senate President Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, have called for an estimated $8 million to $12 million to buy, contract or lease firefighting aircraft this summer.
“This is the most optimistic I’ve been about really moving forward to help protect property and protect Coloradans in a very long time,” King said. The lawmaker said Friday he intends to amend his bill to embrace Cooke’s recommendations.
But whether Cooke’s report bolsters this year’s bill or an earlier one remained an open question Friday.
Hickenlooper’s senior adviser, Alan Salazar, told Fox 31 on Thursday the administration didn’t consider King’s current measure to be viable.
“There’s no way his bill is going to pass,” Salazar told Fox 31.
To clarify those comments, Salazar on Friday pointed to King’s bill in 2013 that passed the legislature and allowed the state to create its own air fleet, though it was stripped of funding in an appropriations committee.
“We need an appropriation, we don’t need a bill directing the state to purchase aircraft from one Canadian firm or helicopters that are ill-suited for high altitudes. That is what the King bill does now,” said Salazar. “Last year’s bill supported and signed by the governor gives the state the authority to acquire resources. So it is not at all clear that we need anything more than an appropriation.”
Hickenlooper expressed reservations about funding King’s measure last year, and — without state funding — the bill was signed into law by the governor, weeks before the fast-moving Black Forest fire torched nearly 500 homes.
Salazar said Hickenlooper will meet with legislative leaders to discuss the report, including whether additional legislation is needed.
Both King and Carroll have said they’re open to amending the bill.
“Look, now we have more money to contract the planes and fight fires,” King said. “I’m not sure why the governor’s administration wants to kill the measure. Let’s amend it accordingly with the report.”
Hickenlooper did not make any public comment about the report from Cooke on Friday.
Kurtis Lee: 303-954-1655, klee@denverpost.com or twitter.com/kurtisalee
