HB 25-1014: Increasing Efficiency Division of Water Resources

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

The division of water resources in the department of natural resources (division) is responsible for administering water rights and issuing water well permits, among other duties. Under current law, after having received a permit to appropriate designated groundwater or construct a well outside the boundaries of a designated groundwater basin, a permit holder is required to construct the well within one year after the date of issuance of the permit. If the well is not constructed within one year, the permit expires; except that the ground water commission (commission) in the division or the state engineer, as applicable, may grant a single one-year extension. The act extends the time frame for construction of a well to 2 years, eliminating the need for the commission or the state engineer to approve a one-year extension to the initial one-year construction time frame, except for permits issued for federally authorized water projects. The act also removes the requirement that the commission or state engineer must mail a certified letter to the permit holder before a permit can be formally expired. The act allows the commission or state engineer to reinstate an expired permit if the applicant for reinstatement of the permit can show that the well was completed in a timely manner and submits a $30 fee. Under current law, the division engineer of each water division is required to decennially present to the water court a list of water rights that meet the criteria for abandonment. The act splits this decennial abandonment process into 2 batches, grouped by water division and spaced 5 years apart, beginning with 2030 and 2035. The act maintains the requirement that the abandonment process be performed every 10 years in each water division. The act extends certain time frames relating to the well permitting process. Lastly, the act eliminates final permitting requirements for non-Denver Basin bedrock aquifer wells in the designated basins. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 22 · Republican 7

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. June 3, 2025Governor Signed
2. May 15, 2025Signed by the Speaker of the House
3. May 15, 2025Signed by the President of the Senate
4. May 15, 2025Sent to the Governor
5. April 14, 2025Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
6. April 11, 2025Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
7. April 11, 2025Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
8. March 27, 2025Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Refer Unamended to Appropriations
9. March 10, 2025Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Agriculture & Natural Resources
10. March 5, 2025House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
11. March 4, 2025House Committee of the Whole Amendment - Change from ----- to -----
12. March 4, 2025House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor

Showing 12 most recent of 17 actions. Full history