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Ground Water Commission Meeting Minutes Page 5 <br /> May 16, 2025 <br /> been signed by the Governor. Funding for the retirement of additional irrigated <br /> acreage in the South Fork focus zone was seen as a big win in the legislative session. <br /> Mr. Skeie concluded his remarks by encouraging districts to take advantage of the <br /> funding that is available for water projects through CWCB. <br /> Mr. Pearson addressed the Commission, and commented that he would provide some <br /> additional updates on water related legislation in the online meeting chat dialogue. <br /> After experiencing some audio difficulties, Mr. Pearson was able to provide some <br /> additional legislative updates, including SB 40, which seeks to create a task force to <br /> increase and sustain water project funding in the state. HB 1311 is also expected to <br /> generate additional revenue from sports gambling for the water plain grant program. <br /> HB 1211 will set limitations on how water districts assess tap fees for new <br /> development. SB 140 raises the limits for spending by irrigation districts to catch up <br /> with inflation, and indexes them to inflation in the future. SB 25-305 creates new <br /> processes and provides changes that will make it easier for rural water districts to <br /> comply with their water quality permits. <br /> Acting Chairman Noble called for agenda item no. 6, the staff activity report. Mr. <br /> Javier Vargas-Johnson addressed the Commission: <br /> Mr. Vargas-Johnson introduced himself and provided a brief overview of his work <br /> history with DWR, including his role as Assistant Division Engineer for Division 5 in <br /> Glenwood Springs. Mr. Vargas-Johnson pointed to the Staff Report document contained <br /> in the meeting packet for more detailed information on specific work item metrics in <br /> Designated Basins, including permits issued in the past quarter. Mr. Vargas-Johnson <br /> commented that many of the metrics, including the number of permits issued, are <br /> similar to those completed in the previous quarter. <br /> Mr. Vargas-Johnson then provided some updates to the Commission on projects that <br /> Staff is working on inside Designated Basins. Mr. Vargas-Johnson commented that Staff <br /> is continuing to work with the Republican River Water Conservation District <br /> ("RRWCD") on dry-up of irrigated land to meet compact obligations. Some of the new <br /> applications for retirement of irrigated land have been more challenging compared to <br /> typical applications submitted in the past, including situations where parcels with <br /> co-mingled wells are requesting a partial dry-up of irrigated land. <br /> Commission Staff is also working with El Paso County to ensure the County's review of <br /> construction projects does not allow unlawful retention basins and ponds to be <br /> approved. <br />