HB 17-1273

House Bill 17-1273, also known as the "Real Estate Development Demonstrate Water Conservation" bill, requires developers seeking approval for new real estate projects in Colorado to show that they have included water-saving measures and plans to manage water demand. This means that before a local government can approve a development permit, the developer must prove they are taking steps to reduce water usage both indoors and outdoors, as well as planning for variations in water availability due to weather changes or other factors. The bill has been signed into law, meaning it is now enforceable by local governments when reviewing new real estate projects.

Official Summary

Current law's definition of a water supply that is 'adequate' for purposes of a local government's approval of a real estate development permit merely allows the inclusion of reasonable conservation measures and water demand management measures to account for hydrologic variability. The bill amends the definition to include reasonable conservation measures and water demand management measures to reduce water needs and account for hydrologic variability ( section 2 of the bill) and prohibits the local government from approving the permit application unless the applicant demonstrates that appropriate water conservation and demand management measures have been included in the water supply plan ( section 3 ). Current law also requires an applicant for a real estate development permit to demonstrate to the local government issuing the permit: The water conservation measures, if any, that may be implemented within the development; and The water demand management measures, if any, that may be implemented to account for hydrologic variability. Section 4 requires the applicant to demonstrate: The water conservation measures that may be implemented within the development to reduce indoor and outdoor demand; and The water demand management measures that may be implemented to account for hydrologic variability.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

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