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<br />. <br /> <br />Summary of Colorado Legislation for Watershed Restoration <br />Supplement to Agenda Item 15 <br />CWCR Meeting - January 24-25,2006 <br /> <br /> <br />39-22-2401. Legislative declaration. <br /> <br />The general assembly hereby finds and declares that the natural heritage and quality of life in <br />Colorado are of fundamental importance to the citizens of the state, and the protection of this natural <br />heritage and quality of life are essential to sustainable economic development in the state, The general <br />assembly further finds and declares that locally based watershed groups have emerged around the state <br />over the past decade that are committed to collaborative approaches to the restoration and protection of <br />lands and natural resources within Colorado's watersheds in concert with economic development. The <br />general assembly recognizes that the Colorado watershed assembly, a nonprofit corporation, serves as <br />a state-level umbrella organization for such local groups, The general assembly further recognizes that <br />the citizens of Colorado may be willing to provide funds to assist in the restoration and protection of <br />lands and natural resources within watersheds in the state, It is therefore the intent of the general <br />assembly enacting this part 24 to provide Colorado citizens the opportunity to support local watershed <br />efforts by allowing citizens to make a voluntary contribution on their state income tax returns for such <br />purpose. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />39-22-2403. Contributions credited to Colorado watershed protection fund - appropriation. <br /> <br />(l) The department of revenue shall determine annually the total amount designated pursuant to <br />section 39-22-2402 and shall report such amount to the state treasurer and to the general assembly, The <br />state treasurer shall credit such amount to the Colorado watershed protection fund, which fund is <br />hereby created in the state treasury. All interest derived from the deposit and investment of moneys in <br />the fund shall be credited to the fund. <br /> <br />(2) The general assembly shall appropriate annually from the Colorado watershed protection fund <br />to the department of revenue its costs of administering moneys designated as contributions to the fund. <br />All moneys remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year, after subtracting the appropriation to the <br />department, shall be transferred to the Colorado water conservation board in the department of natural <br />resources. Two designees of the board, in cooperation with two designees of the water quality control <br />commission in the department of public health and environment and upon consultation with the <br />Colorado watershed assembly, shall administer the moneys in accordance with the provisions of <br />subsection (3) of this section. Moneys in the fund may be used to cover all reasonable costs incurred in <br />administering the moneys in the fund. <br /> <br />(3) The water quality control commission and the Colorado water conservation board shall use the <br />moneys transferred pursuant to subsection (2) of this section to award grants, on a competitive basis <br />and in a manner to be determined jointly by such commission and board, to any qualified resident of <br />Colorado to work toward the restoration and protection ofland and natural resources within watersheds <br />in Colorado, Qualifications for such grants shall be determined jointly by the commission and the <br />board in cooperation with the Colorado watershed assembly, <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />(4) Moneys granted pursuant to subsection (3) of this section shall not be used for lobbying or for <br />any other political purpose, the costs of litigation, or to remove any diversion or improvement <br />structure, <br /> <br />I <br />