That's a Wrap!
The 2023 legislative session began with the promise that water would be the “centerpiece” of this year’s agenda; and indeed, it resulted in conversations around water that fueled many late-night committee meetings, achieved headlines across the state, and ultimately, bills on the Governor’s desk.
This year, Water for Colorado supported and closely watched three key bills. Each one passed and was signed into law by Governor Polis, although substantial changes were made along the way. The three bills were:
- Senate Bill 23-270: Projects to Restore Natural Stream Systems
- Senate Bill 23-295: Colorado River Drought Task Force
- Senate Bill 23-177: Colorado Water Conservation Board Water Projects Appropriations
Learn more about each bill and what they mean for Colorado’s water future by reading our blog, “Wins for Water: The 2023 Legislative Session in Review.”
Elevating Colorado's Water Challenges in This Year's Session
It’s no secret Colorado’s rivers and streams are suffering and our state’s challenges are a good example of water crises gripping the American West. Parched rivers; stressed farms, livestock and fish; and more frequent floods and wildfires are all symptoms of the disruption wrought as climate change impacts our region and already strained water supply.
Colorado’s lawmakers and other leaders have a responsibility to ensure Coloradans have the tools we need to proactively respond to drought and its impacts. Water is among the highest priority items the General Assembly must take on this session. The 2023 budget proposal highlights support for addressing our state’s water challenges. Last year the federal government injected a once-in-a-generation allocation of public funds to support water needs in the West.
Action is needed within the Colorado legislature to increase funding and capacity to establish both immediate and long-term drought security and to protect clean drinking water alongside river and watershed health.
2023
Legislative Priorities
SIGNED: SB23-270: Concerning Activities that Restore the Environmental Health of Natural Stream Systems without Administration
SIGNED: SB23-270: Concerning Activities that Restore the Environmental Health of Natural Stream Systems without Administration
SB23-270, Concerning Activities that Restore the Environmental Health of Natural Stream Systems without Administration, sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, Senator Cleave Simpson, Representative Karen McCormick, and Representative Marc Catlin aims to legally safeguard the ability of Coloradans to pursue the stream headwaters restoration projects necessary to protect our forests against wildfire and our water supply against the impacts of climate change.
Colorado boasts over 100,000 miles of rivers and streams, many of which have become degraded as a result of human activities over time. The degradation of these natural systems has resulted in increased pollution, destructive flows threatening public safety, and decreased capacity to provide resilience to droughts, wildfires, and other extreme weather events. Stream restoration projects have been implemented in Colorado without complaints from water users for decades — and have even provided benefits to them. Stream restoration projects, like the type this legislation would allow, have already proven to be successful by engaging diverse stakeholders and thoughtfully managing existing water rights while benefiting everyone, from Colorado’s eastern plains to high in the Rockies.
The legislation creates pathways for Coloradans and their communities to restore healthy river systems and improve community water security while providing certainty to water users.
SB23-270 passed both chambers and was signed into law by Governor Polis.
This bill is supported by:
SIGNED: SB23-177: 2023 Colorado Water Conservation Board Water Projects Appropriations
SIGNED: SB23-177: 2023 Colorado Water Conservation Board Water Projects Appropriations
This bill, introduced by Senator Dylan Roberts, Senator Cleave Simpson, Representative Karen McCormick, and Representative Marc Catlin directs funding to implement the newly-updated Colorado Water plan. It includes $12.6 million specifically for the Water Plan, alongside another $2 million specifically set aside for administrative needs implementing the water plan. The funding allows a number of ongoing and proposed projects, including various endangered species recovery programs, snow science research, and floodplain mapping, to receive funding.
This legislation passed both houses and was signed by Governor Polis.
This Bill is Supported By:
SIGNED: SB23-295: Colorado River Drought Task Force
SIGNED: SB23-295: Colorado River Drought Task Force
The Colorado River Basin is being threatened by a three-decades long drought — the worst in over a millennia. Diminishing supplies threaten drinking water, farms and ranches, and environmental and recreational opportunities. New and more flexible tools can help Colorado communities, and all who depend on rivers, respond to threats and impacts of drought. Without clear action in the immediate future, these problems will only get worse.
The task force will bring together state and local government officials and Tribal Nations along with key stakeholders to develop recommendations for programs allowing Colorado to proactively address drought and climate change on the Colorado River and its tributaries in Colorado.
The bill passed both chambers and was signed by Governor Polis.
This bill is supported by:
Take Action Now
SB23-295: Act now to address drought and climate change in Colorado!
More flexible tools, that could be recommended by the task force established in SB23-295, can help Colorado communities respond to threats and impacts of drought exasperated by a warming climate and over allocation. Without clear action in the immediate future, these problems will only get worse. Ask your Senator to support the Colorado River Drought Task Force legislation.
SB23-295: URGENT: Help us create a task force to tackle drought and protect rivers
Without action now, we could face a future with our water supply at risk, threatening farms, recreation, wildlife, and communities. Let your senator know that tackling drought is a priority and ask them to support SB23-295, which creates a Drought Task Force.