I_WRRC_2018A 09/26/2018 01:31:01 PM Committee Summary

Jay Winner and Mike Weber, Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District, discussed sediment issues along the lower Arkansas River in Colorado. A copy of their presentation can be found at https://leg.colorado.gov/node/1221201/. 

Former State Representative Wes McKinley, representing himself, presented to the committee about recent well permit applications along the Cimarron River in southeastern Colorado.

Representative McKinley responded to committee questions about the well permit applicant and distributed a letter to the committee about the wells from the Board of Exameiners of Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors [Attachment A].

Representative McKinley also distributed an associated well permit application [Attachment B] and a letter from the Colorado Ground Water Commission [Attachment C] to the committee.

Khadijah Furungh, representing herself, discussed the importance of water issues in Colorado.

Representative McKinley responded to committee questions about the Cimarron River, the well applications, and associated water right issues.

Mark Rude, representing the Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District, came to the table to respond to committee questions.

Representative McKinley and Mr. Rude responded to additional committee questions regarding the proximity of the wells to the Colorado-Kansas border.

Gary Melcher, Colorado Farm Bureau; Ken Baker, Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District; John Kaufmann, Centennial Water District; and Donna Brosemer, Greeley Water, provided testimony about the use of deficit irrigation in Colorado and responded to committee questions.

Tracy Kosloff, Division of Water Resources, and Mark Mitisek, Leonard Rice Engineers, presented an update to the committee on the Sterling Ranch rainwater harvesting pilot project.  A copy of their presentation can be found at https://leg.colorado.gov/node/1221201/.

Mr. Mitisek and Ms. Kosloff responded to committee questions about the pilot project.

George Fosha and Scott Jones, Colorado Association of Conservation Districts, discussed issues related to irrigation ditch improvements in Colorado. A copy of their presentation can be found at https://leg.colorado.gov/node/1221201/. 

Mr. Fosha and Mr. Jones responded to committee questions regarding how irrigation ditches could be improved to conserve water in the future.

Jayla Poppleton, Water Education Colorado, updated the committee on the recent activities of Water Education Colorado. Ms. Poppleton also distributed a list of upcoming programs to the committee [Attachment D].

Senator Coram and Representative Catlin discussed recent demand management programs currently being discussed in the Colorado River Basin.

Jay Winner, Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District, testified about lease-fallowing pilot programs in the state.

Bob Longenbaugh, representing himself, testified on various water quality and water reuse issues in Colorado.  Mr. Longenbaugh distributed two handouts to the committee [Attachments E and F].

Doug Vilsack, Department of Natural Resources, and Dr. John Stulp, Governor's Special Policy Advisor on Water, testified about various Colorado River programs under consideration by the State of Colorado, as well as discussions related to drought contingency planning for the Colorado River Basin.

Dr. Stulp responded to committee questions regarding the Colorado River Compact.