DENVER – A bill on aerial firefighting – once a controversial idea in the state Legislature – passed the Senate unanimously Friday afternoon.

The 35-0 vote caps a quest by Sen. Steve King, R-Grand Junction, to bring a fleet to Colorado for the 2014 fire season. The House still needs to approve the bill, but legislators already have set aside the nearly $20 million the state will need to lease helicopters and single-engine air tankers.

“I’m very proud of the Senate for taking this action today and know it will pay off big time this fire season,” King said.

Many legislators balked at the cost until Paul Cooke, head of the state’s wildfire agency, released a report last month that recommended the state to contract for planes and helicopters.

Cooke also wants to buy two spotter planes, with the goal of pinpointing and sometimes attacking fires within 60 minutes of the first smoke report.