91E77E49D80FCBB28725827F007AB991 Hearing Summary

Representatives Winter and Saine, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 18-167, which creates the Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission in the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. It also creates two case funds and makes a variety of changes to the state's excavation laws.

The bill sponsors responded to committee questions.

Mr. Brad Vitale, representing Xcel Energy, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Ray Swerdfeger, representing K.R. Swerdfeger Construction, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Vitale made additional comments.

Mr. Vitale responded to committee questions. Representatives Saine and Winter also responded to questions.

Mr. Dick Brown, representing the Pikes Peak Regional Water Authority, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ms. Donna Brosemer, representing Greeley Water, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Brown and Ms. Brosemer responded to a committee question.

Mr. Chris Piper, representing Denver Water, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ms. Marena Lertch, representing the City of Aurora Water, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ms. Lertch responded to a committee question.

Mr. Andrew Silvest, representing the American Council of Engineering Companies Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Eric Bergman, representing Colorado Counties, Inc., testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Pat Ratliff, representing South Metro Water Supply Authority, testified in favor of amending the bill. Ms. Ratliff distributed information about tier 1 and tier 2 water providers [Attachment K].

Mr. Evan Goulding, representing the Special District Association, testified in favor of amending the bill.

Ms. Ratliff responded to committee questions.

Mr. Mannie Colen, representing the Ditch and Reservoir Company Alliance, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Chad Vorthmann, representing the Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Jeff Kahn, representing the Ditch and Reservoir Company Alliance, testified in opposition to the bill.

Committee members received amendment L.019 [Attachment L].

The bill sponsors made closing remarks on the bill.