H_AWN_2024A 04/08/2024 03:00:00 PM Committee Summary

Representative McCormick, bill co-prime sponsor, introduced and gave opening comments on House Bill 24-1435. The bill funds water projects in the Department of Natural Resources, directs transfers between cash funds for appropriation to water-related projects, and provides loan authorizations.

Representative Catlin, bill co-prime sponsor, gave opening comments on the bill.

The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Mr. Andy Mueller, representing Colorado River District, testified in support of the bill. Jonathan Hernandez, representing Northern Water, testified in support of the bill. Kirk Russell, representing Colorado Water Conservation Board, Department of Natural Resources, was available to answer committee questions. Lauren Ris, representing Colorado Water Conservation Board, Department of Natural Resources, testified in support of the bill. Jeff Deems, representing Airborne Snow Observatories, testified in support of the bill. Tracy Kosloff, representing Division of Water Resources, Department of Natural Resources, was available to answer committee questions.

The panelists answered questions from the committee.

The bill sponsors wrapped up their presentation of the bill.

Committee members gave closing comments on the bill.

Representative McLachlan, bill sponsor, introduced and gave opening comments on Senate Bill 24-172.

The bill sponsor responded to questions from the committee.

The bill sponsors discussed the bill with the committee.

Ms. Julia Gulliver, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Sarah Clark, representing Colorado Sierra Club, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Gene Reetz, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Debbie Ford, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Scott Hudson, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Gabe Racz, representing Colorado Water Congress, testified in opposition to the bill. Jim Sanderson, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Adam Eckman, representing Colorado Mining Association, testified to amend the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

John Kolanz, representing Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance, testified to amend the bill.

Mr. Adam DeVoe, representing Legacy Water, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Earl Wilkinson, representing City of Aurora, Aurora Water, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Richard Clark, representing East Cherry Creek Valley Water & Sanitation District, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Daniel Brown, representing Cache La Poudre Water Users Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Andrew Damiano, representing United Water and Sanitation District, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

The committee took a recess.

The committee came back to order.

Alex Schatz, representing Brannon Sand and Gravel, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Alan Leak, representing Arapahoe County Water and Wastewater Authority, testified in opposition to the bill. Britta Strother, representing Dominion Water and Sanitation District, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Jim Yahn, representing North Sterling and Prewitt Reservoirs and the Water Rights Association of the South Platte, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Forrest Dykstra, representing Highlands Ranch Metro District, testified in opposition to the bill. Todd Ohlheiser, representing Colorado Stone, Sand and Gravel Association and the Colorado Ready Mixed Concrete Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Sandy White, representing Huerfano County Water Conservancy District, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. John Rusch, representing Water Rights Association of the South Platte, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Sean Henry, representing Northern Water, testified to amend the bill. Mr. Joe Dischinger, representing themself, testified to amend the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Mr. Stu Gillespie,
representing EarthJustice, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Josh Kuhn,
representing Conservation Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr.
David Nickum, representing Colorado Trout Unlimited, testified in support
of the bill. Alexander Funk, representing Theodore Roosevelt Conservation
Partnership, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Delia Malone, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill.



The panelists
responded to questions from the committee.




Additional written testimony can be found in Attachment B.

The bill sponsors provided closing comments on the bill.

Committee members gave closing comments on the bill.