Weather Mod - Sunset Review

• Project Type: General OWC
• Applicant: Weather Modification
• Project Name: Sunset Review on Weather Mod Program
• Title: Sunset Statutory Evaluation Criteria
• Date: 6/16/1995
• County: Statewide
• Water Conservation - Doc Type: Final Report

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20-123, C.R.S.

Weather
Modification
in Colorado

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. Activities of an emergency nature for protection against
fire, frost, sleet, smog, fog or drought.

Weather control operations may not be carried out in
Colorado for the purpose of affecting. weather in any other
state if that state prohibits such operations to be carried on
in that state for the benefit of Colorado.

The state Legislature has decreed that the operation of
weather modification activities pursuant to an authorized
- - permit is- !lot - cOl1sidered -trespass- -nor- -involving - an -
actionable or enjoinable public or private nuisance.
However, failure to obtain a license or permit prior to
engaging in weather modification operations is considered
negligence. The Director of DNR may issue a cease and
desist order against an individual who is conducting
weather modification operations without a license or
permit. Persons conducting weather modifications without
a license and permit, or who contracts with an unlicensed
or permitless weather modifier operator are committing a
Class 6 felony and punishable under ~18-1-105, C.R.S.

Commercially, there are six locations in Colorado that have
consistently been. permitted- for weather modification
operations. They are: San Juan, Grand Mesa, Aspen,
Vail/Beaver Creek, Willows Creek and Western Kansas.
ISee Figure 2 on the following page.) The primary purpose
for weather modification activities is to augment water
reservoir collection. Other purposes incude snow-making
for ski areas and hail suppression. The following indicates
the puipose-oTfnesePemi1~----- _u__

San Juan Water Reservoir Collection
Grand Mesa- Water Authority Water Reservoir Collection
Aspen Snow making for Ski Industry
Vail/Beaver Creek Snow making for Ski Industry
Willow Creek Water Reservoir Collection
Western Kansas Hail Suppression