B043EA9C493AE91D87258A280070B47A Hearing Summary CLICS/CLICS2023A/commsumm.nsf PUBLICBILL SUMMARY For TRIBAL NATION WATER RIGHTS IN COLORADOJOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON WATER RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURE REVIEW COMMITTEEDate Sep 12, 2023 Location SCR 357 Tribal Nation Water Rights in Colorado - Committee Discussion Only 02:31:04 PM Council Member Vanessa Torres, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, introduced her presentation and told the committee about the history of her tribe. She discussed the water resources that exist in the area of the reservation and how tribes have historically not been a part of discussions related to water rights. She told the committee that her tribe has not been able to utilize their full water allocation provided by the federal government. She spoke about the opportunities and challenges that exist when it comes to accessing the water rights promised to the tribes. 02:40:35 PM Letisha Yazzie, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, introduced herself and her presentation. She gave an overview of the existing water resources within the reservation boundaries. She discussed the Dolores Project, which brought drinking water to the tribe for the first time in 1988. She told the committee about the tribe's Mancos Farm water right that the tribe has, which is a junior water right, and the San Juan River water right, which is a more senior water right. She spoke about the infrastructure challenges associated with these water rights, which limit the tribe's ability access its water rights. She also told the committee about the Animas-La Plata Project, which provides future water opportunities for the tribe, but she noted that the project excluded irrigation as an allowable use of the water. Lastly, she told the committee about the tribe's Climate Action Plan, which provides a framework for addressing climate change and adapting to reduced water supply. 02:50:32 PM The panelists answered questions about the Animas-La Plata Project, the federal decision that recently impacted the Navajo Nation, the affect of having Lorelai Cloud on the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and how the state can include tribal voices.