Senate committee advances nearly $69 million water projects package to Finance

Senators on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on April 23 advanced House Bill 13-38, the annual Colorado Water Conservation Board projects bill, to the Committee on Finance with a favorable recommendation.

Sponsor Senator Roberts and co-prime sponsor Minority Leader Simpson described the bill as a routine but critical annual appropriation that uses CWCB cash funds (earned interest from CWCB loan programs) and carries no general fund impact. "This is the bill that appropriates funding for important water projects all across the state, all done with 0 impact to the general fund," Roberts told the committee.

Senator Simpson said the package—"nearly $69,000,000"—targets water security and drought resiliency, and breaks down to $37,700,000 for water plan grants, $2,500,000 for water forecasting, $1,400,000 for water plan action items, and $5,000,000 for wildfire-ready watershed efforts. CWCB Director Lauren Riss, appearing virtually, described the agency's loan program that generates the interest funding these projects and emphasized the bill's cash-funded nature.

Supporters from the water sector testified in favor. Heather Dutton, manager of the San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District, testified on behalf of the Colorado Water Congress, saying the organization "wholeheartedly support[s]" the bill and emphasized the need to measure water supplies and boost resilience.

With no amendments offered, Senator Roberts moved the bill to Finance with a favorable recommendation; the committee polled and recorded a unanimous vote to advance the measure.

Next steps: HB13-38 will be considered by the Senate Committee on Finance.