A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning the Colorado water conservation board's
Page 1, Line 102administration of a water supply measurement
Page 1, Line 103program.
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)
The bill authorizes the Colorado water conservation board (board) to administer a water supply measurement and forecasting program to collect and disseminate data on snowpack levels, investigate technological advances in snowpack measurement and water supply forecasting, and collect other data that the board determines will assist in those efforts.
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds that:
Page 2, Line 3(a) Colorado's snowpack serves as a significant natural reservoir,
Page 2, Line 4holding winter precipitation until spring and summer when it is released as snow melt;
Page 2, Line 5(b) Given the major role that snowpack plays in Colorado's water
Page 2, Line 6system, snowpack measurement is a critical tool for water managers statewide;
Page 2, Line 7(c) Every year, water managers are challenged with balancing
Page 2, Line 8water supply needs and uncertainty regarding the flows into the water
Page 2, Line 9system, while relying on uncertain runoff forecasts. Experience shows
Page 2, Line 10that forecast reliability and the use of available water supplies can be optimized when snowpack and runoff can be accurately predicted.
Page 2, Line 11(d) New technologies are emerging and currently available,
Page 2, Line 12including light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology, that can collect highly accurate and timely data on snowpack from an airplane;
Page 2, Line 13(e) Because such snow surveys require significant financial
Page 2, Line 14resources from multiple sources, current snowpack measurement
Page 2, Line 15protocols are generally decentralized and are being done by a variety of
Page 2, Line 16water entities across the state and without a formal program through which to coordinate efforts;
Page 2, Line 17(f) The Colorado water conservation board (CWCB) within the
Page 2, Line 18department of natural resources is governed by a 15-member board,
Page 2, Line 19representing each major water basin in the state;
Page 3, Line 1(g) The CWCB is well positioned to lead the management of a statewide snowpack measurement and forecasting program to:
Page 3, Line 2(I) Create a more streamlined process;
Page 3, Line 3(II) Provide more transparent dissemination of data to water users statewide;
Page 3, Line 4(III) Provide information to the division of water resources dam safety branch regarding risk management of dams; and
Page 3, Line 5(IV) Strengthen the state's and water users' position for the procurement of contract measurement services;
Page 3, Line 6(h) This centralized approach would not only improve the
Page 3, Line 7reliability of water supply forecasts, but also position Colorado to better
Page 3, Line 8adapt to climate change impacts on snowpack and water resources,
Page 3, Line 9including extreme events such as rapid runoff and floods, ultimately benefitting all water stakeholders across the state; and
Page 3, Line 10(i) As a result, water managers statewide will also be better
Page 3, Line 11equipped to make informed decisions as they balance reservoir operations and streamflow.
Page 3, Line 12(2) Therefore, the general assembly declares that the creation of
Page 3, Line 13a water supply measurement and forecasting program will assist the state
Page 3, Line 14in planning for population growth and environmental changes, while building resilience in the mitigation of severe floods.
Page 3, Line 15SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 37-60-106, amend (1) introductory portion; and add (1)(v) as follows:
Page 3, Line 1637-60-106. Duties of the board - legislative declaration. (1)
ItPage 3, Line 17
is the duty oftoPage 3, Line 18of the state of Colorado in order to secure the greatest utilization of such
Page 3, Line 19waters and the utmost prevention of floods.
andPage 4, Line 1limiting the general character of this section, the board has the power and it is its duty:
Page 4, Line 2(v) To administer a water supply measurement and forecasting program to:
Page 4, Line 3(I) Collect and disseminate data on snowpack levels;
Page 4, Line 4(II) Investigate the latest technological advances in snowpack measurement and water supply forecasting; and
Page 4, Line 5(III) Collect other data that the board determines will
Page 4, Line 6assist in snowpack measurement, water supply forecasting, or flood hazard mapping.
Page 4, Line 7SECTION 3. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act
Page 4, Line 8takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the
Page 4, Line 9ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except
Page 4, Line 10that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V
Page 4, Line 11of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this
Page 4, Line 12act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take
Page 4, Line 13effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in
Page 4, Line 14November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.