DWR_4482283

• Board or Commission: Colorado Ground Water Commission
• Document Type - Board and Commission Meetings: Meeting Document
• Document Date: 8/15/2025
• Subject: Meeting Packet

Ground Water Commission Meeting Minutes Page 4
May 16, 2025
Commissioner Pautler addressed the Commission, and commented that the Republican
River Basin Pipeline Committee currently operates eight wells to supply the pipeline
with up to 11,800 acre-feet of water in a 212 day window from October through April
for compact compliance. The Committee is continually looking for additional water
supplies to meet obligations under the compact agreement between Colorado,
Nebraska, and Kansas. In January 2024, the board implemented a maintenance
program for the pipeline. It is planned to provide maintenance for two wells annually,
which includes inspections of the structures. A Phase II project expansion has been
discussed and may include adding and spreading out the locations of the wells to a
five mile distance, with a rotation plan to give the aquifer time to recover and
replenish. Commissioner Pautler commented that the cost of the expansion is
expected to be around $14 million dollars. A four well expansion phase is being
discussed at an upcoming board meeting. The design phase would take roughly six
months to complete. The debt related to the $71 million dollar Phase I project is
expected to be paid off in 2029. Commissioner Pautler also commented that 47,000
acres have been retired, but lagged depletions are making it difficult to meet
compliance obligations. Commissioner Pautler mentioned that a conservation program
to reduce pumping in the district is being discussed, but has been difficult to draft
and implement. One conservation change that is being considered is an assessment of
fees in the district that is based on both irrigated acreage and acre-feet pumped.
Commissioner Pautler commented that there is still time to implement conservation
measures, and the district remains committed to maintaining compact compliance.
Mr. Pearson noted that the current Colorado Conservation Board ("CWCB") Projects
Bill (SB 283) includes an additional $6 million dollars in funding for the retirement of
irrigated acres.
Commissioner Pautler responded that he believes the district needs to identify long
range goals in the basin.
Commissioner Payne commented that a 2025 Rocky Mountain Ground Water
Conference will be held on Oct. 14' and 15t". Commissioner Payne wondered if the
Ground Water Commission had any previous involvement with the conference.
Kevin Donegan commented that he was not sure which topics would be covered during
this years conference, but he did not believe the Colorado Ground Water Commission
had previously been involved with the conference.
Commissioner Diaz addressed the Commission, and reported that his basin has been in
drought conditions. The water fees associated with the pumping of ground water in
the basin are scheduled to be increased from $150 per acre-foot to $500 per acre-foot
pumped. Several water court cases are pending in the Rio Grande Basin, and the
outcomes remain to be seen.
Mr. Skeie addressed the Commission, and reported that the CWCB Projects Bill has