Lauren Ris, Director, Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), introduced her presentation and gave an overview of the Colorado Drought Task Force (Task Force). She specifically discussed Colorado's drought response plan, drought task force updates, drought tour next steps. According to Ms. Ris, Colorado's Drought Response Plan operates under a three-phase drought response framework. Phase 1 involves heightened conditions monitoring by the Water Conditions Monitoring Committee and the CWCB, under phase two the governor activates the Task Force, and in Phase 3 a drought emergency is declared. Colorado entered Phase 2 on March 16, and the Task Force held meetings on April 10, May 7, and June 1. During the June 1 meeting the Task Force requested the state enter Phase 3. On June 4, Governor Jared Polis officially announced that the state was entering Phase 3.

Jenna Battson, Lead Drought and Conservation Analyst, Colorado Water Conservation Board provided additional details on the drought tour. The drought tour involved the Drought Task Force, DNR staff, the CWCB board, elected officials, water managers, stakeholders from the recreation sector, and members of the media. The tour's route included Winter Park Resort; the Frazer River; Kawuneeche Valley, Beaver Creek Project, Northern Water Willow Creek Facility, Kemp Breeze state wildlife area, and Williams Fork Dam. During the tour, the participants discussed municipal efficiency, seasonal recreation, water restoration and conservation, aquatic biology, agriculture, water supply management, and community resilience.

Ms. Ris continued discussing the next steps of the Task Force, which includes drought planning, climate adaptation, and implementing water conservation.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee about potential federal funding.