H_AWN_2023A 03/06/2023 01:35:22 PM Committee Summary

Deputy Director Ris discussed the past changes made to the Colorado Water Plan and the steps taken by CWCB to create the latest update. The updated plan can be found online here: https://cwcb.colorado.gov/colorado-water-plan.

Mr. Sands spoke about the interconnected action areas in the plan, including vibrant communities, robust agriculture, thriving watersheds, and resilient planning.

Mr. Sands discussed what is currently being done to implement the Water Plan, including turf replacement program setup, wildfire ready watersheds, and grant making.

Deputy Director Ris answered questions about the turf replacement program and how federal conservation demands affect the implementation of the Water Plan.

Mr. Sands answered questions about grant funding for salinity control in the Water Plan and how the plan provides tools for water conservation.

Representative Mauro,
bill co-prime sponsor, introduced House Bill 23-1179.  Under current
law, certain cash funds may not have more than 16.5 percent of uncommitted
funds remaining in the fund at the end of each state fiscal year based
on the amount spent in the fiscal year. The bill exempts the Agricultural
Products Inspection Cash Fund in the Department of Agriculture from this
limit and creates a limit of 50 percent of uncommitted funds based on the
amount spent during the fiscal year.




A handout was distributed to committee members (Attachment B).  

Mr. Jim Ehrlich, representing Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Brian Pauley, representing Colorado Department of Agriculture - Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Service, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Roger Mix, representing Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Pauley responded to questions from the committee.

Representative Mauro and Representative Winter made final comments on the bill.

Committee members made final comments on the bill.

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

Bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Mr. Brian Coppom, representing Colorado Department of Agriculture, testified in support of the bill. Tyler Garrett, representing Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, testified in support of the bill. Richard Orf, representing Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Austin Vincent, representing Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Coppom answered questions from committee members.

Mr. Garrett replied to questions from the committee.

Mr. Coppom continued to answer questions from the committee.

Representative Holtorf and Representative McCormick gave final comments on the bill.

Committee members made final comments on the bill.