LEG00066

• Bill Number: SB03-313
• Year: 2003
• Title: Interruptible Water Supplies Water Banks
• Legislation - Doc Type: Other CWCB Related Bills - Passed

Defines an "interruptible water supply agreement" as an option
agreement between an agricultural water right owner and a municipal
water provider whereby, during a time of drought emergency designated
by the governor, the agricultural water right owner agrees to stop
irrigating specified irrigated lands for a period of one to 3 years within a
1 O-year period if the option is exercised by the municipal water provider
in accordance with the agreement, and the municipal water provider may
divert the agricultural water right for municipal purposes subject to the
priority system and approval by the state engineer.
Authorizes the state engineer to approve the temporary operation
of interruptible water supply agreements, Requires applicants to pay a
fee established by the state engineer by rule, Gives interested parties an
opportunity to review and comment upon the application and to file an
appeal of the state engineer's decision with the applicable water court.
Allows disasters declared by the governor due to drought to
continue until the end of the calendar year in which they are declared,
Makes legislative findings,
Makes conforming amendments,
Makes an appropriation,

1 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
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3
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5 SECTION 1. Part 3 of article 92 oftitle 37, Colorado Revised
6 Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to
7 read:

8 37-92-309. Interruptible water supply agreements - special

9 review procedures - rules -legislative declaration. (1) THE GENERAL

10 ASSEMBLY HEREBY FINDS, DETERMINES, AND DECLARES THAT THERE ARE

11 CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL OF

12 THE USE OF INTERRUPTIBLE WATER SUPPLY AGREEMENTS CAN MAXIMIZE

13 THE BENEFICIAL USE OF COLORADO WATER RESOURCES WITHOUT THE

14 NEED FOR AN ADJUDICATION AND WITHOUT INJURY TO VESTED WATER

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