H_RAA_2019A 02/04/2019 01:33:00 PM Committee Summary

Justice Hobbs, Senior Water Judge, and Jayla Poppleton, Executive Director of Water Education Colorado, started their presentation on Colorado water law.  Documents were distributed [Attachments A, B, C, and D].

 

Attachment A

Attachment B

Attachment C

Attachment D

 

Justice Hobbs discussed interstate compacts, water law basics, Colorado River Basins, and water resources and responded to committee questions.

Ms. Poppleton discussed Water Education Colorado's current programs and upcoming events.

Representative Arndt was asked to chair the committee for House Bill 19-1113.

Representatives Roberts and McLachlan, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 19-1113.  The bill changes how water quality treatment is addressed in mine reclamation plans and how mining operators can provide proof of financial responsibility.  Documents were distributed [Attachments E and F].  

Representative Roberts distributed and discussed amendment L.001 [Attachment G].

Representative Roberts and McLachlan responded to committee questions.

Cindy Medina, representing Alamosa Riverkeeper, testified remotely from Adams State University in support of the bill.

Erin Riccio read the testimony of Yurstead Farms in Montrose, Colorado in support of the bill.

Janet Johnson, representing herself, testified remotely from Colorado Mesa University in support of the bill.

John Clark, Mayor of Ridgeway, testified remotely from Colorado Mesa University in support of the bill.

Mark Waltermire, representing the Valley Organic Growers Association, testified remotely from Colorado Mesa University in support of the bill.

Tom McNamara, representing himself, testified remotely from Colorado Mesa University in support of the bill.

Pete Ashman, representing Grand Valley Anglers, testified remotely from Colorado Mesa University in support of the bill.

Julie Westendorff, representing La Plata County, testified remotely from Fort Lewis College in support of the bill.

Liane Jollon, representing San Juan Basin Public Health, testified remotely from Fort Lewis College in support of the bill.

Richard White, representing the City of Durango, testified remotely from Fort Lewis College in support of the bill.

Scott Fetchenhier, representing San Juan Country, testified remotely from Fort Lewis College in support of the bill.

James Wilkes, representing Mountain Water Rafting, testified remotely from Fort Lewis College in support of the bill.

John McClow, representing the Colorado Water Congress, testified in support of the bill.

Bruce Whitehead, representing the Southwestern Water Conservation District, testified in support of the bill.

Emily Hornbach, representing the Western Colorado Alliance, testified in support of the bill.

Kirby Hughes, representing the Sierra Club, testified in support of the bill.

Jeff Parsons, representing the Western Mining Action Project, testified in support of the bill.

Bennet Boeschenstein, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Ginny Brannon, representing the Department of Natural Resources, testified in support of the bill.

Richard Orf, representing the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

Brandy DeLange, representing the Colorado Municipal League, testified in support of the bill.

Ian Roche, representing the Gunnison County Commission, testified in support of the bill.

Jen Boulton, representing Audubon Rockies and Colorado Trout Unlimited, testified in support of the bill.

Zane Kessler, representing the Colorado River District, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Kessler responded to committee questions.

Luke Danielson, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Representatives McLachlan and Roberts made closing remarks.

Committee members commented on the bill.

Representative Roberts placed the committee in a short recess.

Representative Roberts called the committee back to order.

Representative Lewis, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 19-1091.  The bill modifies the process for donating a conservation easement and requires the creation of a publically accessible map and database of conservation easements.

Representative Lewis responded to committee questions concerning the fiscal note and the creation of a conservation easement database.

Mack Louden, representing the Colorado Land, Water, & Food Alliance and the Southern Colorado Livestock Association, testified remotely from Trinidad State Junior College in support of the bill.  Mr. Louden responded to committee questions.

Jim Guire, representing Meadows Ranch, testified remotely from Colorado Mesa University in support of the bill.  A document was distributed [Attachment H].  Mr. Guire responded to committee questions.

Valerie Maez, representing herself, testified remotely from Fort Lewis College in support of the bill.  A document was distributed [Attachment I].  Ms. Maez responded to committee questions.

Allen Maez, representing himself, testified remotely from Fort Lewis College in support of the bill.  Mr. Maez responded to committee questions.

Belinda Groner read the testimony of Tom Grasmick, Prowers Country Commissioner, in support of the bill.

Valarie Emick, representing herself, testified remotely from Lamar Community College in support of the bill.  Ms. Emick responded to committee questions.

David Emick, representing the Landowners United Advocacy Foundation, testified remotely from Lamar Community College in support of the bill.  Mr. Emick responded to committee questions.  Documents were distributed [Attachments J, K, and L].

Benjamin Waters, representing the Colorado Coalition of Land Trusts, testified in opposition to the bill.

Erik Glenn, representing the Colorado Cattleman's Agricultural Land Trust, testified in opposition to the bill.

Jen Livsey, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Glenn and Mr. Waters responded to committee questions.

Jilane Hixson, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.  Documents were distributed [Attachments M and N].

Julie Gentz, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Alan Gentz, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.  A document was distributed [Attachment O].

Mr. Gentz, Ms. Gentz, and Ms. Hixson responded to committee questions.

Eric Meyer, Colorado Attorney General's Office, came to the table to respond to committee questions.

Representative Lewis distributed and explained amendment L.002 [Attachment P].

Representative Lewis made her closing remarks.

Gregg Fraser, Office of Legislative Legal Services, came to the table to respond to committee questions.

Committee members commented on the bill.