CLICS/CLICS2025A/commsumm.nsf
PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For COLORADO RIVER DISCUSSION
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, WATER & NATURAL RESOURCES
Date Feb 20, 2025
Location HCR 0107
Colorado River Discussion - Committee Discussion Only
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10:15:38 AM |
Chair McCormick introduced the panelists.
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10:16:42 AM |
Lauren Ris, Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), introduced the presentation and gave an overview of the role of CWCB in managing the Colorado River. She spoke about CWCB's role in statewide water conservation efforts and interstate compact negotiations.
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10:19:39 AM |
Becky Mitchell, Colorado
Commissioner to the Upper Colorado River Commission, spoke about her role
in management of the Colorado River. She told the committee about the Colorado
River Compact and how it directs allocations across the states that rely
on the river. She discussed the current guidelines on the river, the governing
of releases from reservoirs, and how Colorado manages its water use based
on water availability. She told the committee about her Lower Basin counterparts
and ongoing discussions that are to determine how to update guidelines.
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10:30:17 AM |
Anne Castle, former U.S. Commissioner and Chair of the Upper Colorado River Commission (UCRC), opened her presentation. She told the committee about the creation and role of the UCRC in helping Upper Basin states in managing Colorado River water. She discussed the role of the Secretary of Interior in the Upper Basin versus the Lower Basin. She spoke about the current processes going on at the federal level looking at alternative water management on the river.
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10:41:24 AM |
The panelists responded
to questions from the committee regarding the legislature's role, sharing
water with other states under drought conditions, Colorado's proposal for
new guidelines, and releases from federal reservoirs.
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