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The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Representative Matthew Martinez that would make the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program permanent. < Back April 3, 2025 Bipartisan Martinez Bill to Support Wildlife and Property Owners Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Representative Matthew Martinez that would make the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program permanent. “The Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program has been pivotal in helping property owners protect wildlife and outdoor recreation on their properties, and I’m proud to sponsor legislation to make the program permanent,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “Colorado’s natural beauty is one of our biggest draws, and property owners want to do their part in protecting our environment. We’re helping rural Coloradans, like my district in Southern Colorado, be good stewards of their land and protect Colorado for future generations to enjoy.” The Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program offers funding opportunities for landowners who want to protect wildlife habitats, provide wildlife-related recreational access to the public or sell their property to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The program, which is funded by hunting and fishing licenses, is currently set to sunset on July 1, 2027. SB25-049 would continue the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program indefinitely. With support from Great Outdoors Colorado and federal funding, the program has secured over 290,000 acres of conservation easements and over 146,000 acres of public access. SB25-049, also sponsored by Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter, passed by a vote of 13-0. The committee also passed SB25-176 , also sponsored by Rep. Matthew Martinez and Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter, to extend the Commodity Handler and Farm Products Act until 2032 to continue the regulation of commodity and farm products. The bill would also increase the limit on the amount of farm products or commodities that a person could buy from $20,000 to $45,000 and allow the amount to be adjusted periodically. SB25-176 passed by a vote of 13-0. Previous Next

Legislation will save lives by prohibiting the purchase and sale of all rapid fire conversion devices, commonly known as “bump stocks”, and by creating a permit to purchase dangerous, semi-automatic military style firearms that can accept high capacity magazines < Back March 24, 2025 House Passes SB25-003 Legislation will save lives by prohibiting the purchase and sale of all rapid fire conversion devices, commonly known as “bump stocks”, and by creating a permit to purchase dangerous, semi-automatic military style firearms that can accept high capacity magazines DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker and Representative Meg Froelich that would fully implement and enforce Colorado’s existing high-capacity magazine prohibition to save lives. “As gun violence continues to devastate communities across Colorado, Colorado Democrats are again taking action to prevent future tragedies,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “When semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines get into the wrong hands, it presents a major threat to the health and safety of our communities. With this legislation passing today, we’re taking another step to prevent senseless violence in our communities and save countless lives.” “This gun violence prevention legislation answers the call to action from our neighbors and will save lives,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “We know that semi-automatic weapons become especially deadly when they are paired with high-capacity magazines, which is why Colorado Democrats passed a 2013 law to prohibit these high-capacity magazines. We’ve raised a generation on lock down drills and 1 in 15 people have experienced a mass shooting. We’re passing this bill today so we can save lives and prevent more Coloradans from having to go through the pain of losing a loved one to senseless gun violence.” Beginning August 1, 2026, SB25-003 would fully implement and enforce Colorado’s existing law by requiring a permit and firearm safety training to purchase high-p-owered firearms that accept detachable magazines. The bill would also prohibit the purchase and sale of after-market accessories that increase the rate of fire of a semi-automatic firearm, like binary triggers. The bill would allow a person to purchase a semiautomatic firearm with a detachable magazine after undergoing a background check and completing a firearm certification course that includes information on safe gun usage, federal and state firearm laws, de-escalation and crisis intervention strategies, range time, and more. The bill would not impact the sale of shotguns, commonly used hunting rifles, semiautomatic firearms that have fixed magazines and almost all handguns. While SB25-003 would prohibit the sale of gas-operated semiautomatic handguns, the sale of recoil-operated handguns, which make up over 90 percent of the pistol market, would not be impacted by the bill. The bill also would not impact the possession of currently-owned firearms. In response to the 2013 Aurora theater shooting, Colorado Democrats passed legislation that prohibited the sale and transfer of magazines that hold more than 15 rounds of ammunition. Semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines have been used in numerous mass shootings in Colorado, including the 2021 Boulder King Soopers shooting, the 2022 Club Q shooting, and the Columbine High School massacre. Previous Next

< Back May 11, 2021 JODEH CONTINUES EFFORTS TO ADVANCE HEALTH CARE EQUITY House gives preliminary approval to Reps. Jodeh’s bill to protect the lowest income Coloradans from predatory medical debt collection and help them obtain necessary emergency medical care DENVER, CO– The House today advanced Rep. Iman Jodeh’s bill to take several steps to help low income and uninsured Coloradans access the emergency health care they need. The bill passed on second reading. “No Coloradan should go bankrupt because of the cost of medical care,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora . “15 percent of all Coloradans and 1 in 4 Coloradans from communities of color are struggling with medical debt in collections, which can have devastating long-term impacts on the financial well-being of a family. We can’t accept the status quo of Black, Brown and low-income families being held back for generations because of crippling medical debt. We need affordable care and greater patient protections in the billing process now .” HB21-1198 makes several improvements to Colorado’s Hospital Financial Assistance Law to ensure hospitals screen patients for potential financial assistance through a variety of programs, make it more difficult for a patient to be sent to collection actions, and sets an enforceable standard for discounted care. The bill will crack down on predatory billing practices, help low-income Coloradans avoid crippling medical debt, and ensure all patients have access to information about their rights when accessing emergency care. Previous Next

< Back April 8, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES REP. BIRD BILL TO INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOUSING & SAVE ENERGY (Apr. 8) — The House Energy and Environment committee passed a bill that would make additional capital available for affordable housing and other public housing authority projects by allowing these projects to participate in the New Energy Improvements District’s (NEID) Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program. “This is an important bill that will greatly benefit many hardworking Coloradans,” said Rep. Bird, D-Westminster. “By allowing housing authorities to participate in this program, we are reducing costs to develop affordable housing by 15 to 20 percent. This savings will benefit taxpayers and, importantly, can be passed on to tenants and significantly lower their living expenses.” HB19-1272 will expand access to Colorado’s C-PACE program to public housing authorities and affordable housing projects across the state, allowing these entities to have ready access to capital that can be used for energy and water efficiency projects on their properties. As a result, the overall operational costs of these properties will decrease and the savings will ultimately be passed on to Colorado’s most vulnerable including veterans and disabled individuals. The bill passed the committee with a bipartisan vote of 8-2 and now heads to the House floor. Previous Next

< Back August 3, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Pair of Laws to Help Support Rural Colorado to Go Into Effect DENVER, CO – A pair of laws aimed at supporting rural Colorado will go into effect on Monday, August 7. SB23-006, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, and Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, will foster economic development in rural communities by formally creating the Rural Opportunity Office (ROO) within the Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Also sponsored by Senator Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction, and Rep. Marc Catlin, R-Montrose, SB23-006 will enable the ROO to serve as the central coordinator of rural economic development for the state, supporting communities transitioning away from coal-based economies, supporting programs and initiatives, and making recommendations to help inform economic development policy impacting rural communities. “Rural communities like those I represent are crucial to Colorado’s economy and character. To ensure we’re building a Colorado where everyone can thrive, we must be proactive in our work to support rural economic development,” Roberts, sponsor of SB23-006 and SB23-050 said. “By creating a ‘one-stop shop’ for our small towns in the Rural Opportunity Office and expanding eligibility for the Agricultural Future Loan Program, we’re giving rural Colorado and those who power our agriculture industry a leg up while providing the support and expertise to meet our rural economies’ unique needs.” “I am proud of our efforts to support local businesses and communities by creating good paying jobs Coloradans can count on,” said McLachlan, sponsor of SB23-006. “The continuation of the Rural Opportunity Office expands economic opportunities for Coloradans living in all four corners of the state. This is an important bipartisan step forward to uplift our rural economies, secure new investments in our communities and create good paying jobs across the state.” The Rural Opportunity Office began its work to boost rural economies through supportive development strategies in 2019. In the years since, the ROO has expanded services to assist Colorado’s Tribal Nations in their economic development through grant writing support, education campaigns, and technical assistance. SB23-050 , sponsored by Roberts and Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, provides key resources to farmers and ranchers to help grow their farms and ranches by expanding eligibility for the Colorado Agricultural Future Loan Program. “Colorado’s farmers and ranchers play a critical role in our economy, but sometimes entering into the field can be financially challenging,” said McCormick, sponsor of SB23-050. “The Agricultural Future Loan Program has helped ease financial burdens for those entering or expanding their farm or agricultural business in Colorado. We’re committed to making farming more accessible and diverse by expanding the number of Coloradans who can access these critical loans.” Initially created in 2021 by the legislature, the Agricultural Future Loan Program provides loans and grants to newer or underrepresented producers. The bipartisan SB23-050 , which is also sponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, and Rep. Richard Holtorf, R-Akron, makes the program permanent and expands eligible recipients to include new businesses not yet operating and also businesses developing or manufacturing technology designed to benefit Colorado farmers and ranchers. Previous Next

SB26-002 will improve access to energy assistance programs < Back June 3, 2026 JOINT RELEASE: ICYMI: Signed! Legislation to Boost Utility Assistance DENVER, CO – Yesterday, the Governor signed into law legislation to standardize and improve energy assistance programs to ensure Coloradans have access to affordable, reliable energy. SB26-002 , sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, Senator Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs, and Representatives Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, and Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, requires all investor-owned gas and electric utilities in Colorado to have a standardized framework for energy assistance programs known as Percentage of Income Payment Plans (PIPP). “No one should be spending an exorbitant amount of their income on utilities,” said Kipp. “Colorado families face difficult choices every month between rent, groceries, bills, and all the unexpected expenses life throws their way. This law is about ensuring that Coloradans who need energy assistance are able to access these programs in a simple, efficient way no matter what part of the state they live in or who provides their utilities.” “No one should have to choose between keeping the lights on and going to the doctor,” said Willford. “By standardizing utility assistance, ratepayers can easily find and apply for these essential programs. We’re taking steps to make Colorado a more affordable place to call home, and this law streamlines energy assistance programs so those who qualify can receive it.” “Every Colorado family should be able to keep the lights on and keep their home safe and functioning without breaking the bank,” said Exum. “The purpose behind this law has never wavered – to bring down energy bills for families who need it. This law standardizes utility assistance programs, increases their visibility, and simplifies the application process so that more Coloradans can benefit.” “The application for energy assistance programs needs to be accessible, simple and standardized to save Coloradans time and money,” said Velasco. “Coloradans who qualify for energy assistance programs should be able to take advantage of these programs without unnecessary barriers. The demand for energy assistance programs hasn’t dropped, and our law makes necessary modifications to energy assistance programs to save Coloradans money on utility bills.” SB26-002 requires utilities to clearly post information about eligibility criteria and enrollment processes for the PIPP program on their websites and standardizes the name of PIPP programs across all investor-owned utilities to reduce confusion for customers. Under the new law, customers will be allowed to apply directly with their utility for the program, rather than having to first enroll in another assistance program. Utilities will determine an annual bill credit for the customer delivered either as an up-front annual credit or a monthly credit on their utility bill. To improve and expedite the application experience, utilities must inform applicants within 30 days whether they have been approved or denied for PIPP and the reason why. The programs will be under the oversight of the Public Utilities Commission, to which utilities must submit an annual report about their PIPP program. Previous Next

Today Governor Jared Polis signed into law a pair of bills to make new investments in Colorado’s early childhood education system. < Back June 2, 2023 SIGNED! Pair of Bills to Bolster Early Childhood Education DENVER, CO – Today Governor Jared Polis signed into law a pair of bills to make new investments in Colorado’s early childhood education system. Sponsored by Senators Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, and Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction, and Representatives Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, and Mary Bradfield, R-Colorado Springs, SB23-269 funds one-time bonus payments for early childhood care providers participating in Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program (UPK). The bonuses must be used to implement the Universal Preschool Program, or to maintain or expand infant and toddler care capacity. “Access to quality early childhood education not only supports critical early development and future educational outcomes for Colorado kids, but also the very well-being of families across our state,” Buckner said. “These one-time bonuses are a much deserved thank you to the early childhood care providers working to get Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program up and running. I look forward to watching UPK benefit Colorado’s youth this fall and for generations to come.” “Colorado’s universal preschool program is on the horizon, and we’re expressing our gratitude to the providers that will make it possible,” said Lukens. “This bipartisan law will help recruit more providers and will send preschool providers a bonus to help them renovate spaces, purchase new educational materials, and support their staff. Colorado couldn’t implement high-quality, free universal preschool without providers, and this law gives them a well-deserved thank you.” Providers may receive an additional bonus payment if they maintain or increase their capacity to serve infants and toddlers between April 1, 2022 and April 1, 2024, or are in low-capacity preschool areas. The bipartisan bill invests $2.5 million in the Colorado Universal Preschool Program Provider Participation Bonus Program, housed within the Department of Early Childhood . HB23-1290 , sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, Senator Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, refers a measure to the November 2023 ballot asking voters to allow the state to keep the excess revenue collected on tobacco and other tobacco products to fund UPK in Colorado. If approved by voters, the measure would allow the state to direct the nearly $24 million in excess revenue to support Colorado’s early childhood learners, instead of refunding that amount to the tobacco industry. "Preschool programs play a vital role in Colorado's communities by laying a strong foundation for children and providing essential child care services for working parents," Moreno said. "This bill presents an opportunity for voters to redirect much-needed funds towards Colorado's early education system, instead of returning them to tobacco distributors and wholesalers. With the potential to infuse nearly $24 million into preschool programs, HB23-1290 represents a wise investment in the future of our children and our state." “Overwhelming support for statewide universal preschool is no surprise, because it will create educational opportunities for our youngest learners, save families money, and help parents get back to work,” said McCluskie. “Universal preschool is one of the smartest investments we can make as a state, and I’m proud Coloradans agree. The revenue collected from the tax on nicotine products has come in higher than originally predicted, and this legislation confirms voters’ commitment to using these funds to provide preschool to all four-year-olds in the state.” “In 2020, voters overwhelmingly supported taxing tobacco and nicotine products to fund Colorado’s transformational Universal Preschool Program and boost learning opportunities for our youngest Coloradans,” said Fields. “This bill gives voters the chance to build on that progress and utilize existing funding to support even more families seeking preschool programs.” “Universal preschool will be here in just a few months, and the funds collected from the voter-approved Proposition EE made it possible for the state to provide free, early childhood education to our youngest learners,” said Sirota. “Studies show that preschool and early childhood education prepare kids for a lifetime of educational success. This legislation reaffirms Coloradans’ commitment to our families by asking them if the state may keep revenue collected from the special tax on nicotine and direct it toward UPK, rather than returning it to the tobacco industry.” In 2020 Colorado voters approved Proposition EE , which created new excise taxes on cigarettes, tobacco, and nicotine products to fund a number of priorities, including UPK. The new tax rates are designed to phase in over the next few fiscal years through 2027. When originally approved by voters, it was estimated that Proposition EE would raise $186.5 million in new tax revenue in its first year. Actual revenue from the new tobacco taxes exceeded the predicted amount by nearly $24 million. Previous Next

< Back May 24, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! BIPARTISAN BILL TO IMPROVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE FOR NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES SB22-148 will invest $5 million to build or renovate a behavioral health facility to provide behavioral health services DURANGO, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law bipartisan legislation that will increase access to behavioral health care by investing $5 million to support the development of a behavioral health facility and better meet the behavioral health needs of Colorado’s land based Tribes. SB22-148 , sponsored by Senator Kerry Donovan, D-Vail, and Representative Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, is part of the legislature’s ongoing commitment to addressing Colorado’s behavioral health crisis using $450 million in federal pandemic relief funds secured in the American Rescue Plan Act. “The Tribes are our partners and neighbors, and this is a long overdue investment in behavioral health,” Donovan said. “Everyone deserves mental health support in their communities, and this facility will support the Tribes’ efforts and help ensure that more Coloradans can access the critical care they need to thrive.” “Using once-in-a-generation federal funding, we are prioritizing the behavioral health needs of Colorado’s land-based Tribes who often experience disproportionately higher rates of mental health distress without access to the proper resources,” said McLachlan. “This $5 million investment of federal funds will go directly toward the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe for the purpose of creating or revamping a behavioral health facility to improve mental health outcomes and save Coloradans money on behavioral health care.” To further Colorado Tribes’ ability to provide culturally responsive behavioral health care in specialized facilities, this new law will provide a one-time $5 million grant to Colorado land-based Tribes to build or renovate a Tribal behavioral health facility for inpatient services and transitional housing. SB22-148 was developed based on recommendations from the state’s Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force . Previous Next

HB26-1207 will require Colorado employers to follow the reporting requirements as outlined in the 1966 Civil Rights Act < Back June 5, 2026 Jackson, Bacon Bill to Prevent Workplace Discrimination Signed into Law DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law administratively to ensure the continued collection of employee demographic data to prevent workplace discrimination. “No one should be discriminated against while they’re on the job, and Colorado needs to step up as the Trump Administration rolls back nearly every DEI initiative and tool,” said Rep. Jamie Jackson, D-Aurora. “Decades of research have proven that the collection of workplace demographic information is an important tool to support anti-discrimination in the workplace. Even if the federal government does away with the EEOC, our law says firmly that Colorado employers must still collect and report worker demographic information.” “What we are experiencing at the federal level is an active dismantling of the Civil Rights Act,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “EEO-1 demographic data matters because it helps root out discriminatory practices and gives employees who have experienced discrimination in the workplace a pathway for justice. Regardless of what the Trump Administration declares, in Colorado, we will require employers to collect workplace demographic data because it provides an accurate picture of Colorado workplaces and combats discrimination.” HB26-1207 will help prevent discrimination in Colorado workplaces by requiring employers to report certain demographic information, including race, ethnicity, sex and job categories of employees to the state, just as they currently must report to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Beginning July 2027, Colorado employers with more than 100 employees will be required to provide the Employer Information Report or Standard Form 100 (EEO-1) to the Colorado Department of State, even if the federal government repeals or discontinues this EEOC workplace requirement. Additionally, Colorado employers must use the EEO-1 form as it existed on March 1, 2026. HB26-1207 comes in response to the Trump Administration’s attempts to dismantle the Civil Rights Act (CRA), which has helped foster workplace fairness and equity and help fight back against discrimination. Earlier this year , the administration outlined its intent to eliminate EEO-1 data collection and submissions to the EEOC, as required under Title 7 of the CRA. EEO-1 data collection has served as a key tool in rooting out workplace discrimination, and the EEOC has helped workers recover billions for workers who suffered discrimination on the job. Previous Next

< Back March 9, 2021 HOUSE ADVANCES BILL TO PREVENT TRAGEDIES AND SAVE LIVES DENVER, CO– The House today advanced a bill to promote responsible gun ownership and the safe storage of firearms when children are present in order to save lives and prevent accidental deaths on Second Reading. “As an ER nurse, a gun owner, and the father of young children, I’m convinced that this common sense gun safety bill will prevent tragedies and save lives,” said Representative Kyle Mullica (D-Northglenn) . “Asking all gun owners in Colorado to safely store their firearms the way the majority of responsible gun owners already do is not a tall order, but it could go a long way towards preventing accidental deaths, injuries, and suicides involving firearms.” “In the middle of a pandemic, as children are home more often than ever and mental health issues skyrocket, we’re taking steps to keep our kids, teens and communities safe,” said Representative Monica Duran (D-Wheat Ridge) . “On average, every week in Colorado a child dies at the hands of a firearm and every day a child is injured by one. A simple and affordable lock on a firearm could prevent a family from being ripped apart by the type of tragedies that have become all too common in our state.” HB21-1106 seeks to promote responsible gun ownership by creating an educational campaign that will encourage gun owners, especially those with children in the home, to properly store their firearms. The bill also requires licensed firearms dealers to provide a locking device at the time of sale or transfer of all firearms. Federal law already requires that handguns sold by licensed dealers be sold with locking devices. Finally, the bill would create the charge “unlawful storage of a firearm” when a firearm is not stored safely and a juvenile or someone who is ineligible to possess a firearm is present, making it a class 2 misdemeanor. Previous Next

< Back April 16, 2021 RICKS, GONZALES-GUTIERREZ TAKE ACTION TO IMPROVE EDUCATOR DIVERSITY DENVER, CO– The House today advanced Reps. Naquetta Ricks and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez’s bill to promote diversity in Colorado’s educator workforce on second reading. “Colorado’s student population is growing more and more diverse by the year, and our educator workforce hasn’t kept up,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver (Northside). “We know how impactful it can be for young students of color to see their own backgrounds and identities reflected in their role models, and this bill will start us on a path toward ensuring that’s the case for every child in our state. As a product of public education myself, I understand exactly how impactful this bill will be.” “I firmly believe that education is the key to a bright future, but I know first hand how difficult it can be to chart your own path to success when none of your teachers look like you,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “I want to ensure that all of Colorado’s students have the opportunity to learn from educators who look like them and share their backgrounds. This bill will examine the barriers we face and will get us closer to that goal in the near future. A vibrant, diverse workforce is good for students, good for educators, and good for Colorado.” HB21-1010 would create a workgroup that would research ways to prepare, retain, and recruit diverse educators and make recommendations to the Senate and House Education Committees. The Department of Higher Education and the Department of Education would choose members of the workgroup, which must include a diverse group of representatives from relevant agencies and organizations as specified in the bill. Previous Next

HB26-1340 will require water buyers to prioritize revegetation and dryland farming when making certain changes to the land < Back June 1, 2026 ICYMI: Mauro’s Bipartisan Bill to Protect Water Resources Signed Into Law HB26-1340 will require water buyers to prioritize revegetation and dryland farming when making certain changes to the land DENVER, CO – Last week, Governor Jared Polis signed legislation to ensure long-term and responsible management of water resources in Southeastern Colorado. “When done successfully, dryland farming and revegetation can restore previously irrigated farmland, prevent soil erosion and combat excessive weeds,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo . “Front Range water users are purchasing water in Southeastern Colorado, but are not encouraged to maintain the land for long-term use. Water buyers should aim to be better stewards of our land, and this law will require them to successfully revegetate or dryland farm their land while making changes. Dryland farming and revegetation are important tools for the responsible management of Colorado's water resources, and this requires water buyers to step up to protect our land.” HB26-1340 is also sponsored by Minority Leader Ty Winter, R-Trinidad. To address a growing need in water division 2, this law will require a water user to successfully revegetate or convert to dryland farming with effective erosion and weed control when making changes in beneficial use. Front Range cities have purchased land in the Lower Arkansas Valley for its water rights. However, this has negatively impacted Pueblo, Otero, Bent, Crowley and Prowers counties because the land is often left dry, leading to erosion and sand-covered roads. Under the law, water users making land changes in division 2 must make plans to revegetate or dryland farm land that would be subject to evaluations by an appointed third-party expert using site-specific criteria and scientifically supported methods. After a five-year maintenance plan, the water court may require the water user to continue dryland farming or revegetation, or allow responsible water use on land that has been successfully restored. Dryland farming, also known as farming without irrigation, is a sustainable agricultural technique that utilizes drought-tolerant crops or plants to help prevent soil erosion and excessive weed growth. Dryland farming and revegetation can help restore previously irrigated farmland into more habitable land for native species. Previous Next