SB 17-282

Senate Bill 17-282, which has been signed into law, allows owners of water storage rights in Colorado to release stored water for environmental purposes. This means that the released water can be used by the Colorado Water Conservation Board to improve and preserve natural habitats downstream. The bill impacts water rights holders and environmental conservation efforts in the state. Since it's now signed, the provisions are active and being implemented according to the law’s guidelines.

Official Summary

The bill creates a process whereby an owner of a storage water right may obtain a decree that authorizes releases from storage to a downstream point of diversion or delivery for decreed beneficial uses to be dedicated to, and used by, the Colorado water conservation board in the intervening stream reach to preserve or improve the natural environment to a reasonable degree if specified conditions are satisfied. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Votes