Senator Roberts and Senator Simpson, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-270. The bill creates a rebuttable presumption that a stream restoration project does not cause material injury to a vested water right, and outlines the qualification requirements for a stream restoration project.

Kelly Romero-Heaney, representing Colorado Department of Natural Resources, testified in support of the bill.  

Commissioner Richard Elsner, representing Park County, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions from the committee.

Mr. Bill Wombacher, representing Arapahoe County Water and Wastewater Authority, East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District, United Water and Sanitation District, and Legacy Water, Inc., testified to amend the bill.  

Travis Smith, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

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

Mr. Andrew Hill, representing Denver Water, testified in support of the bill.  

Ms. Heather Dutton, representing San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District, testified in support of the bill.

Bernadette Kuhn, representing City of Fort Collins, testified in support of the bill.

Jen Boulton, representing Trout Unlimited, testified in support of the bill.  

Abby Burk, representing Audubon Rockies, testified in support of the bill.  

Eagle County Commissioner Kathy Chandler-Henry, representing Northwest Colorado Council of Governments Water Quality and Quantity Committee, testified in support of the bill.

Tyler Garrett, representing Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, testified to amend the bill.  

Bruce Whitehead, representing Animas-La Plata Water Conservancy District, testified to amend the bill.  

Mr. Austin Vincent, representing Colorado Farm Bureau, testified to amend the bill.

Commissioner Hilary Cooper, representing Counties & Commissioners Acting Together and San Miguel County, testified in support of the bill.  

Summit County Commissioner Josh Blanchard, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.  

Ms. Karen Kalavity, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Commissioner Kelly McNicholas Kury, representing Pitkin County, testified in support of the bill.

The committee recessed.

The committee reconvened.

Kyle Whitaker, representing Northern Water, testified to amend the bill.  

Mr. Sean Cronin, representing St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District, testified in a neutral position on the bill.  

Dr. Luke Javernick, representing River Science, testified to amend the bill.  

Mr. Joe Frank, representing Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District , testified to amend the bill.  

Mr. Jim Yahn, representing North Sterling and Prewitt Reservoirs, testified to amend the bill.  

Mr. Zane Kessler, representing Colorado River District, testified to amend the bill.

Senators Simpson and Roberts wrapped up their presentation of the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.