To: Members of the Castle Rock Water Commission
From:
Mark Marlowe, P.E., Director of Castle Rock Water
Title
Water Legislation at the State Capitol
Body
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Executive Summary
This memorandum has been prepared as a summary of current water legislation that staff is tracking. As Commission knows, the legislature has recessed until March 30th. They have to complete the session in 120 consecutive days or by May 6th. Absent some change to what is allowed, we suspect much of the legislation in this update will not see final resolution during this session. This legislation could be reintroduced during the next session, however. Staff tracks legislation through two avenues, South Metro Water Supply Authority (SMWSA) and Colorado Water Congress (CWC). SMWSA employs a lobbyist, and SMWSA takes positions on various bills. CWC is a much larger group of water industry players, and it also takes positions on bills. Castle Rock Water does not take a position on a bill unless deemed necessary by staff and then approved by Council. This year staff has not recommended any specific positions to Council on any legislation. Staff generally concurs with the positions taken by SMWSA. Attachment A provides a summary of current legislation being tracked that was prepared by SMWSA’s lobbyist. Current bill positions that SMWSA has taken are summarized below:
HB20-1095 - NEUTRAL - Local Governments Water Elements In Master Plans
HB20-1119 - NEUTRAL - State Government Regulation Of Perfluoroalkyl And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
HB20-1143 - OPPOSE - Environmental Justice And Projects Increase Environmental Fines
HB20-1157 - OPPOSE - Loaned Water For Instream Flows To Improve Environment
HB20-1159 - NEUTRAL - State Engineer Confirm Existing Use Instream Flow
HB20-1164 - OPPOSE - Housing Authority Exemptions From Water Fees
SB20-204 - OPPOSE - Additional Resources to Protect Air Quality
HB20-1338 - OPPOSE - Operational Severance Tax Transfer to Agricultural Value-added
Positions taken by CWC are shown on Attachment B as well as the bill status.
Attachments
Attachment A SMWSA Legislative Report
Attachment B 2020 bill status sheet