Catlin’s Colorado Water Conservation Board Projects Bill Signed into Law
NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Office of Colorado
State Representative Marc Catlin
303-866-2955
marc.catlin.house@coleg.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Catlin’s Colorado Water Conservation Board Projects Bill Signed into Law
Silverthorne, Colorado – The Colorado Water Conservation Board Projects was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis, On Wednesday, May 29, 2024. This legislation is the main funding mechanism for water projects in the state of Colorado. The bill appropriates $314 million to water projects via the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) or division of water resources in the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). A few of the projects listed in the bill include: $2 million for the turf replacement fund and $23 million to the water plan implementation cash fund. Also appropriated, $20 million for the purchase and sale agreement between the Colorado River Water Conservation District (Colorado River District) and the Public Service Company of Colorado for the purchase of the water rights associated with the Shoshone Power Plant.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed the bi-partisan bill in Silverthorne. The bill received 96% approval in passing through the legislature. The prime sponsors of the bill were the Chair and Vice-Chair of House Agriculture, Water, & Natural Resources Committee, Rep. Karen McCormick (D-HD11) of Boulder County and Rep. Marc Catlin (R-HD58) of Montrose County, respectively. In the Senate, the Agriculture & Natural Resources Chair Dylan Roberts (D-SD8) of Eagle and Ranking Member Cleave Simpson (R-SD6) of Alamosa County were the prime sponsors.
Representative Catlin says, “Every iteration of this legislation funds a lot of the needed water projects in the state, but this year’s bill appropriated $20 million to the Shoshone Power Plant project. The Shoshone is one of, if not, the most important projects in water during my lifetime. The fund-raising effort of the over 20 different entities on the Western Slope, along with the state’s contribution, puts the project in a position to ask our federal partners to commit to preserving the way of life on the Western Slope.”
Colorado State Representative Marc Catlin represents the eight counties of Dolores, Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel. Representative Catlin is the Vice Chair of Agriculture, Water, & Natural Resources Committee, is a member of the Capital Development Committee, and is Ranking member of the Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee.
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