Bill > SB305

This bill addresses water quality permitting efficiency in Colorado by implementing several key changes to the state's water quality permit process. The bill requires the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Division of Water Quality to provide more transparent reporting on permit processing times, including tracking the number of administratively continued permits and developing a plan to address permits pending for longer than five years. It introduces new provisions allowing the division to mutually agree with applicants to use qualified independent contractors to assist with technical aspects of permit processing when applications have been pending for an extended period. The bill also mandates that the division consider local governments' financial capabilities when developing compliance schedules for new effluent limits, potentially allowing compliance schedules up to twenty years. Additionally, the bill requires the division to propose and adopt rules establishing specific time frames for different types of permitting actions, such as issuing new permits, renewing existing permits, and processing permit modifications. To support these initiatives, the bill includes appropriations of nearly $3 million to the department, primarily from clean water and drinking water cash funds, to hire additional staff and support the new permitting efficiency measures. The overall goal is to streamline and improve the water quality permitting process, reduce backlogs, and provide more predictability and transparency for permit applicants.

Budget and Finance

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-305