Bill > HB1115

This bill establishes a comprehensive Water Supply Measurement and Forecasting Program administered by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to improve water resource management across the state. The legislation recognizes the critical importance of snowpack measurement for water managers, who currently face challenges in predicting water supply and runoff. The bill authorizes the CWCB to create a centralized program using emerging technologies like LiDAR (light detection and ranging) to collect accurate, timely data on snowpack from aerial surveys. By coordinating efforts across different water entities, the program aims to provide more transparent data dissemination, support dam safety risk management, and help water stakeholders make more informed decisions about reservoir operations and streamflow. The bill includes a fiscal appropriation of $104,608 for the 2025-26 state fiscal year, which will fund 0.9 additional full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, operating expenses, and information technology services to support the new program. The ultimate goals are to enhance water supply forecasting, adapt to climate change impacts, and improve the state's ability to manage water resources during population growth and environmental changes.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1115