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B043EA9C493AE91D87258A280070B47A Hearing Summary




PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For TRIBAL NATION WATER RIGHTS IN COLORADO

JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON WATER RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURE REVIEW COMMITTEE
Date Sep 12, 2023      
Location SCR 357



Tribal Nation Water Rights in Colorado - Committee Discussion Only
02:31:04 PM  
Council Member Vanessa
Torres, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, introduced her presentation and told
the committee about the history of her tribe. She discussed the water resources
that exist in the area of the reservation and how tribes have historically
not been a part of discussions related to water rights. She told the committee
that her tribe has not been able to utilize their full water allocation
provided by the federal government. She spoke about the opportunities and
challenges that exist when it comes to accessing the water rights promised
to the tribes.  
02:40:35 PM  
Letisha Yazzie, Ute
Mountain Ute Tribe, introduced herself and her presentation. She gave an
overview of the existing water resources within the reservation boundaries.
 She discussed the Dolores Project, which brought drinking water to
the tribe for the first time in 1988.  She told the committee about
the tribe's Mancos Farm water right that the tribe has, which is a junior
water right, and the San Juan River water right, which is a more senior
water right. She spoke about the infrastructure challenges associated with
these water rights, which limit the tribe's ability access its water rights.
She also told the committee about the Animas-La Plata Project, which provides
future water opportunities for the tribe, but she noted that the project
excluded irrigation as an allowable use of the water.  Lastly, she
told the committee about the tribe's Climate Action Plan, which provides
a framework for addressing climate change and adapting to reduced water
supply.
02:50:32 PM  

The panelists answered questions about the Animas-La Plata Project, the federal decision that recently impacted the Navajo Nation, the affect of having Lorelai Cloud on the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and how the state can include tribal voices.






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