HB 23-1125

House Bill 23-1125 in Colorado updates the process for managing water well information by allowing owners and buyers of wells to submit changes online instead of just in person, by mail, or fax. It also delays when certain forms need to be submitted after a well sale from before closing to within 63 days afterward. The bill requires that if a well hasn’t been registered yet, the new owner must register it within this timeframe and clarifies who is responsible for submitting updated information about the well’s ownership. This bill was signed into law by the governor on March 31, 2023, and will take effect starting August 7, 2023.

Official Summary

Current law requires that the owner of a groundwater well (well) permit file any change in name or contact information with the state engineer in person, by mail, or by fax. The act removes the requirement that the filing be in person, by mail, or by fax. Current law requires the buyers of certain wells to complete a change in owner name form before the closing of the transaction. The act removes the requirement that the form be submitted before the closing of the transaction. The act clarifies that if an existing well being sold has not been registered with the division of water resources (division), the buyer of the well must submit a registration of existing well form to the division within 63 days after closing the transaction. Current law states that the division is responsible for obtaining the necessary well registration information from the buyer after the purchase of a well. The act removes this requirement and clarifies that a person who provides a closing service in connection with the purchase of a well must submit a change in owner name form for the well to the division, even if the well has not yet been registered with the division. If a change in owner name form does not include a well permit number, the act requires the division to instruct the buyer of a well to complete a new change in owner name form or registration of existing well form and requires the buyer to submit the applicable form to the division. APPROVED by Governor March 31, 2023 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2023 NOTE: This act was passed without a safety clause and takes effect 90 days after sine die. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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