CLICS/CLICS2026A/commsumm.nsf
PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For COLORADO RIVER UPDATE
JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON WATER RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURE REVIEW COMMITTEE
Date Jun 25, 2026
Location HCR 0112
Colorado River Update - Committee Discussion Only
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12:56:04 PM |
Commissioner Becky Mitchell, Colorado River Commissioner, gave an update on the status of the negotiations on the Colorado River. She told the committee about the expiring 07-guidelines for managing the operations of Lake Mead and Lake Powell. She discussed Powell's inflows and releases and its overall decline. She spoke about the principles of her post-2026 operating negotiations and the priorities of Colorado. She told the committee about the the Upper Basin's framework that she is pushing for in negotiations. |
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01:12:06 PM |
Amy Ostdiek, Colorado Water Conservation Board - Department of Natural Resources, spoke about the preferred alternatives to plans proposed by the Lower Basin States. |
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01:15:58 PM |
Jason Ullman discussed
the administration of water rights in Colorado, obtaining input from water
users, and measurement rules. |
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01:17:49 PM |
The panelists responded
to questions from the committee about desalination in California, Lake
Powell levels, the potential for litigation and its associated costs, and
curtailment. |
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01:43:33 PM |
The panelists continued to respond to questions from the committee about the role of the legislature and stakeholder involvement. |
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01:46:12 PM |
Andy Mueller, Colorado
River District, introduced his presentation and gave an overview of the
impact water shortages have had on the Colorado River District. He mentioned
how water users have needed to compromise and implement water conservation
measures. He also discussed how the drought will have long term impacts
on Lake Powell, future litigation, Colorado's economic development, water
rights across the state, and the environment. |
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01:50:56 PM |
Alan Salazar, CEO
of Denver Water, introduced his presentation and provided an overview of
how Denver Water has responded to the current drought. He discussed how
Denver Water provides water to 25 percent of Colorado's water users. He
expects water storage to only reach 80% of capacity and for storage rates
to decline in the future. Denver Water has instituted restrictions on water
usage in order to cut water usage by 25 percent, introduced premiums on
outdoor water usage, and reduced Denver Water's internal budget. According
to Mr. Salazar, Denver Water receives half of its water from the Colorado
River. |
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02:12:25 PM |
Brand Wind, General Manager, Northern Water, introduced his presentation and provided an overview of the Platte River's relationship with the Colorado River, evidence of drought in northern Colorado, and a partnership with Grand County. He specifically discussed how water users that utilize Northern Water are instituting conservation measures, and how the Bunte Canal will be used to efficiently allocate water to Grand County. |
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02:24:59 PM |
The panelists responded
to questions from the committee about how much water Colorado's reservoirs
are expected to have throughout the summer, their expectations regarding
a lawsuit between states about the Colorado River, challenges with uncompensated
curtailment of water rights, future plans for increasing water conservation,
and concerns with how the federal government might influence water usage
in Colorado. |
