Interim Water and Agriculture Committee Adjourns for the Year 

Colorado’s Interim Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee held its final hearing of the Interim Session on September 22, 2022. By statute, the Committee meets each Interim Session to study the conservation, use, development, and financing of the water resources of Colorado, and to review and propose water resources legislation for consideration by the General Assembly. 

Zane Kessler, River District Director of Government Relations, reported that in the three Interim Session hearings held by the Committee this summer, “members heard from experts on a wide array of topics ranging from soil health funding and ‘produced water’ issues on the High Plains to watershed restoration and snowmaking opportunities in the headwaters.”  

At their first hearing on August 4, the committee requested a total of 10 bills for consideration. “This was an unusual move by a committee that has historically used its time to hear about and discuss specific issues prior to requesting bill drafts,” said Kessler. “Nevertheless, after hearing from experts and stakeholders, Committee members decided to refer only two bills to the General Assembly for consideration during the 2023 Regular Session.” 

The first piece of legislation recommended by the Committee would change the committee from an Interim Committee to a year-round, joint committee. The second proposed bill would create a task force to explore the use of snowmaking at high elevations as an alternative form of water storage. 

Both of these bills will be introduced and considered by the full General Assembly, which will reconvene at the State Capitol on January 9, 2023.