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 9
May 16, 2025
will also be sought for the draft rules. Dryland wheat has been struggling in the
district, while irrigated wheat and corn has been looking good. Mr. Tietmeyer noted
that the district is prioritizing a ground water monitoring program that will seek some
amount of funding from CWCB. Mr. Tietmeyer notified the Commission that the first
deep Laramie-Fox Hills domestic well was recently completed in the Northern part of
the district, and Mr. Tietmeyer believes this action may indicate water level declines
in the shallower aquifers. Mr. Tietmeyer would also like to include the Laramie-Fox
Hills aquifer as part of a planned future monitoring program. Mr. Tietmeyer concluded
his remarks with an update that he is working to establish a working relationship with
Wyoming water officials for the partnership on issues related to water uses in aquifers
shared by Wyoming and his district. Mr. Tietmeyer added that he is also seeing some
water users in the district irrigating high consumption crops and exporting water in
the same year, which is concerning and something the district is looking into.
Ms. Kosloff mentioned that the DWR Hydrogeology Team would be a good resource for
the district's planned well monitoring program.
Mr. Grimes responded that after the Durango meeting last August, Staff had put
together a memo to address conservation efforts in districts. The memo has not been
presented yet due to some pending cases involving these same issues. Mr. Grimes does
not want there to be conflict between the memo and pending cases, so the memo will
be presented once the cases have been resolved.
Ms. Deb Daniel, reporting for the Republican River Water Conservation District, was
not in attendance. However, Ms. Talbert provided a written report for the District that
was read by Commissioner Pautler. Commissioner Pautler reported that the 2025
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program ("CREP") program is now available and
accepting applications for contracts. The deadline for submitting applications is June
6th. Commissioner Pautler thanked Joanna Williams for her service to the Commission,
and welcomed incoming Commissioner Kinnison. Commissioner Pautler reported that
over 17,120 acres of irrigated land has been retired in the South Fork Focus Zone. A
$6 million dollar grant has been applied for through CWCB, and the district was
included in the projects bill recently passed by the legislature. The projects bill will
greatly assist the district with retiring additional irrigated acreage in the South Fork
Focus Zone, and maintain compact compliance. Commissioner Pautler mentioned that
the economic impact study of the Republican River basin is being worked on by a
team led by Colorado State University, and the study should be completed by the end
of the year for presentation of findings to the State legislature. The district is also
seeking additional federal funding for the expansion of the compact pipeline. The
district was not able to secure more funding for the Bonny Dam project, but plans on
continuing to seek financial assistance through congressionally directed spending. The
district fee committee will hold a meeting in early June to discuss proposed changes
in fees for water users inside the district. Commissioner Pautler concluded his report
by mentioning that the district has been dry so far this year, and will be reliant on
irrigation for agriculture.