Representative Holtorf, prime bill sponsor, introduced House Bill 21-1043 to the committee and distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment A).  The bill directs the Department of Natural Resources to contract with a Colorado institution of higher education to study underground water storage in Colorado.

Representative Holtorf responded to questions from the committee.

Wes McKinley, representing himself, testified remotely in support of the bill. Mr. McKinley responded to questions from the committee.

Terry Fankhauser, representing the Colorado Cattlemen's Association, testified remotely in support of the bill. Mr. Fankhauser responded to questions from the committee.

Austin Vincent, representing the Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in support of the bill.

Dianna Orf, representing Colorado Water Congress, testified in support of the bill.

Ralf Topper, representing the Colorado Groundwater Association, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Topper responded to questions from the committee.

Alice Cosgrove, representing the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), came to the table to respond to questions from the committee.  Tracy Kosloff, representing the Division of Water Resources at DNR, responded to questions from the committee.

The committee took a brief recess.