Colorado has officially reached the milestone of retiring more than 10,000 acres of farmland from irrigation in the southern Republican River basin. These efforts are necessary to stay in compliance with the Republican River Compact with Kansas and Nebraska. Read the full press release on DNR's Website.
In collaboration with DWR, the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) has released a report on the regulation of geothermal resources in Colorado. The study includes considerations and recommendations to clarify and streamline the regulatory process in the state. The full report and executive summary can be found under the Geothermal heading on the following ECMC Webpage.
The Division of Water Resources filed proposed Surface and Groundwater Measurement Rules in the Water Division 7 Water Court on December 5, 2024. Division 7 is located in southwest Colorado and includes the San Juan, Animas, La Plata, Mancos, Pine, Piedra, McElmo Creek, parts of the Dolores River basins, and other adjoining tributaries exiting Colorado. The proposed rules and other documents related to the rulemaking effort can be found on the Division’s website.
The Division of Water Resources has issued a Request for Proposals to: 1) update a 2002 study on the hydrogeology and groundwater resources of the Southern High Plains Designated Basin in order to provide scenario analyses for groundwater use; and 2) provide community facilitation to identify and establish groundwater resource goals for residents of the Basin. The objective is to determine recommended actions to achieve the established community goal(s).
On October 28, 2024 the Upper Colorado River Commission approved $7 million in BIL / IIJA federal funding to pay for diversion measurement structures in Divisions 4, 5, 6, and 7 (additional details in CWCB's November 15, 2024 press release). More information about the process of turning these funds into on-the-ground measurement structures will be coming soon.
DWR is proposing technical changes to certain well permitting statutes and changing the timing of decennial abandonment in west slope basins. Check out the fact sheet for more details.
The Division of Water Resources will accept comments on the current draft of the proposed Measurement Rules in Water Division 7 until November 7, 2024. Please send all comments to marie.sullivan@state.co.us. The draft rules can be found on the Water Administration Webpage, under the subheading “Water Administration Rulemaking”.
DWR is offering a 2-hour online live course on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 from 9:30am-11:30am. RSVP to attend the online course. Two hours of continuing education credit are available for realtors and water well contractors. This course provides an overview of water administration, well permitting, and water rights in Colorado.
The Arkansas River Tributary Groundwater Use & Measurement Rules have moved to a new location. You can now find these on the Division 2 Office webpage.
The Rio Grande Groundwater Withdrawal and Measurement Rules have moved to a new location. You can now find these on the Division 3 Office webpage.