H_RAA_2019A 04/08/2019 01:32:29 PM Committee Summary

Scott Jones, Colorado Association of Conservation Districts, Randy Randall, United States Department of Agriculture, and Nikki Brinson, Colorado State Conservation Board, updated the committee on conservation districts and distributed a handout [Attachment A].  Mr. Randall, Mr. Jones, and Ms. Brinson responded to committee questions.

Representative Arndt, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 19-1271.  The bill clarifies the authority of the Colorado Water Conservation Board to augment stream flows with water that has been previously decreed for augmentation.

Representative Arndt distributed and discussed amendments L.001, L.002, and L.003 [Attachments B, C, and D].

Pat Ratliff, representing the South Metro Water Supply Authority, testified on the bill.

Bill Wombacher, representing East Cherry Creek Valley Water, testified on the bill.

Chris Piper, representing Denver Water, testified on the bill.

Ms. Ratliff, Mr. Piper, and Mr. Wombacher responded to committee questions.

Eric Potyondy, representing the City of Fort Collins, testified in support of the bill.

Kate Ryan, representing the Colorado Water Trust, testified in support of the bill.

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

Mr. Kessler, Ms. Ryan, and Mr. Potyondy responded to committee questions.

Linda Bassi, representing the Colorado Water Conservation Board, testified in support of the bill.

Steve Sims, representing Aurora Water, testified in support of the bill.

David Taussig, representing the City of Thornton, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Sims, Mr. Taussig, and Ms. Bassi responded to committee questions.

Representative Arndt made closing remarks. Committee members commented on the bill.