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DENVER, CO – The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today advanced bipartisan legislation to streamline permitting for Colorado’s ground water. The committee also passed a bipartisan House Joint Resolution that would better fund and protect Colorado’s drinking water.
“I am proud to carry this bill to streamline the water management process across Colorado, especially for my community in the Western Slope,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, sponsor of HB25-1014. “This bipartisan bill will ease the groundwater permitting process, cutting the red tape to make our water resources more accessible.”
HB25-1014, sponsored by Representatives Meghan Lukens and Dusty Johnson, R-Fort Morgan, passed committee unanimously. This bill would modify Colorado's permitting process for groundwater use. Specifically, this bill would remove obsolete provisions and extend the timeline for Coloradans already permitted to build a water well.
The goal of HB24-1014 is to cut red tape, streamline the services and improve the efficiency of the Division of Water Resources within the Department of Natural Resources.
“From recreation to agricultural use, water is the most important resource in Colorado and we must do everything we can to protect our rivers, streams, and wetlands,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, sponsor of HJR25-1004. “Droughts and the impacts of climate change threaten the health and safety of the people, animals, and native species that call Colorado home. Our bipartisan effort will support Colorado’s water infrastructure in rural and mountain communities by helping them acquire water rights, improve water management facilities, and fund other projects that help protect our water resources for future generations to come.”
HJR25-1004, sponsored by Representative Karen McCormick and Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter, R-Trinidad, would update the Water Pollution Control Project Eligibility List to better preserve, protect and conserve water resources in Colorado. The House Joint Resolution passed committee unanimously.
The House Joint Resolution modifies which projects are eligible for funding from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund; better protecting the freshwater resources Coloradans use for household use, recreation, agriculture and local economic development.
The Drinking Water Revolving Fund is a financial assistance program that offers loans and grants for clean drinking water projects. Forty-nine percent of funding is awarded to disadvantaged communities through grants or principal forgiveness loans to protect communities that otherwise would not have the resources to improve their water infrastructure.