Speaker McCluskie, bill co-prime sponsor, introduced and gave opening comments on Senate Bill 23-275. The bill creates the Colorado River Drought Task Force, which is tasked with developing recommendations for legislation that will provide tools to address drought in the Colorado River Basin.

Representative Catlin, bill co-prime sponsor, gave opening comments on the bill.

Dianna Orf, representing Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, testified to amend the bill.  

Landon Gates, representing Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, testified to amend the bill.  

Kathleen Curry, representing Orchard Mesa Irrigation District and Ute Water Conservancy District, testified to amend the bill.  

Tyler Garrett, representing Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, testified in support of the bill.  

Mr. Kenneth Curtis, representing Dolores Water Conservancy District, testified in opposition to the bill.  

Mr. Steve Pope, representing Uncompahgre Valley Water Users, testified to amend the bill.  

Callie Hendrickson, representing White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts, testified to amend the bill.

Aaron Citron, representing The Nature Conservancy, testified in support of the bill.  

Mr. Austin Vincent, representing Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in support of the bill.  

Kelly Romero-Heaney, representing Colorado Department of Natural Resources, testified in a neutral position on the bill.  

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

Mr. Lee Miller, representing Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, testified in a neutral position on the bill.  

Mr. Marshall Brown, representing Aurora Water, testified in a neutral position on the bill.  

Troy Waters, representing Grand Valley Water Users' Association, testified in support of the bill.  

Commissioner Josh Blanchard, representing Northwest Colorado Council of Governments Water Quality/Quantity Committee and Summit County, testified in support of the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Joan Green Turner, representing Water Rights Association of the South Platte, testified in a neutral position on the bill.  

Amy Ostdiek, representing Colorado Water Conservation Board, Department of Natural Resources, answered questions from the committee.  

Mr. Bart Miller, representing Western Resource Advocates, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Kristin Moseley, representing Eagle River Water & Sanitation District and Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority, testified in support of the bill.

The committee made final comments on the bill.