Second Regular Session | 74th General Assembly
Colorado General AssemblyOn May 14, 2013, Governor Hickenlooper issued an executive order directing the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to develop the Colorado Water Plan (CWP). According to executive order D 2013-005, the CWP must promote a productive economy that supports vibrant and sustainable cities;...
Spurred in part by the state's growing population and recent droughts, the executive branch and legislature have taken action to address Colorado’s future water supply challenges. This issue brief examines several water supply planning initiatives, including the development of the Colorado Water...
An estimated 3.3 million people in Colorado are affected by drought, with 2022 being the driest year to date over the past 128 years. In response to the ongoing drought in Colorado, the General Assembly passed HB 22-1151 to promote the efficient and maximum utilization of Colorado’s...
Geothermal energy refers to heat that is found within the Earth. This heat can be used in a number of ways through geothermal energy systems. First, it can be used to directly heat buildings, where hot water near the earth’s surface is piped into buildings. Second, it can be used indirectly...
The instream flow (ISF) program was created by legislation in 1973, which authorized the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to appropriate or acquire water rights of natural streams and lakes to preserve the natural environment without diverting the water. The ISF program recognized the...