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CA4B748FC21ACD0A87258978006EB2B8 Hearing Summary




PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For HB23-1220

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, WATER & NATURAL RESOURCES
Date Mar 20, 2023      
Location HCR 0107



HB23-1220 - Referred to House Appropriations


02:09:05 PM  
The committee took a brief recess.
02:11:05 PM  
The committee came
back to order.
02:11:21 PM  
Representative Holtorf,
bill co-prime sponsor, introduced House Bill 23-1220.  The bill requires
the Colorado Water Center, located within Colorado State University, to
complete a study of the economic impact to the areas of Colorado, Kansas,
and Nebraska affected by the Republican River basin of Colorado not meeting
its obligation under the terms of the South Fork Focus Zone Resolution
to retire 25,000 acres of irrigated land in the zone. The center must update
the General Assembly on its progress in 2025, and deliver and post online
the final report of the findings and conclusions of the study by January
1, 2026. The bill repeals January 1, 2027.



Represenative Holtorf showed the committee a map of the wells in the Republican
River Water Conservation District, which can be viewed here:
https://republicanriver.com/map/.
02:18:46 PM  
Bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.
02:29:17 PM  
John Tracy, representing
Colorado Water Center, testified in support of the bill.  





Mr. Rod Lenz, representing Republican River Water Conservation District,
testified in support of the bill.  





Mr. Peter Ampe, representing Republican River Water Conservation District
and Colorado Water Congress, testified in support of the bill.  





Deb Daniel, representing Republican River Water Conservation District,
testified in support of the bill.  





Dr. Jordan Suter, representing themself, testified in a neutral position
on the bill.




The panelists responded to questions from the committee.
02:44:48 PM  
The panelists continued to respond to questions from the committee.
02:45:32 PM  
State Engineer Kevin
Rein, representing Division of Water Resources, Department of Natural Resources,
made comments on the bill.  





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




Mr. Rein responded to questions from the committee.  

02:57:51 PM  
Representative Holtorf and Representative McCormick made final comments on the bill.
03:00:58 PM  
Committee members made final comments on the bill.


03:03:19 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 23-1220 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Holtorf
Seconded McCormick
Dickson Yes
Holtorf Yes
Luck Yes
Lukens Yes
McLachlan Yes
Parenti Yes
Story Yes
Titone Yes
Velasco Yes
Vigil Yes
Winter T. Yes
Catlin Yes
McCormick Yes
Final YES: 13   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS






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