News Article

• A new eForm is coming soon for Well Construction.  When launched (around January 21, 2026), it will replace the GWS-31, used to report the construction of wells, monitoring holes, and test holes.  When the new eForm is launched, an announcement will be posted on DWR’s Website that includes a link to DWR’s eForm System Quick Start Guide. The eForm Help Menu buttons will contain tips and additional assistance regarding the process to file online.

The Colorado Ground Water Commission has approved initiation of the process to possibly add a new Rule 8 to the Rules and Regulations for the Management and Control of Designated Ground Water.  In contemplating this new rule, the Commission invites parties with an interest in the subject of the rulemaking to present their thoughts, ideas, and opinions by attending meetings and/or submitting written comments. Staff of the Commission will hold a public meeting to allow for input.
 

Date and Time: January 13, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Four new eForms are now available on the eForms Dashboard.  Private Driller and Private Pump Installer Assessments will be completed by well owners who intend to drill or repair their own wells or who intend on installing or replacing the pump in their own wells.  Well Vault Installation will be completed to report the installation of wellheads in vaults in accordance with approved well construction variances.

A new Guide to Expired Well Permits is now available.  This guide was created to provide information and answer common questions about well permits designated as expired or that may arise from a post card mailing for recently expired Non-Exempt Permits.

The Colorado Ground Water Commission has approved initiation of the process to possibly add a new Rule 8 to the Rules and Regulations for the Management and Control of Designated Ground Water.  In contemplating this new rule, the Commission invites parties with an interest in the subject of the rulemaking to present their thoughts, ideas, and opinions by attending meetings and/or submitting written comments. Staff of the Commission will hold a public meeting to allow for input.

Date and Time: December 8, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

We have created an informational document, "Placing Wells Back in Service Following Inundation by Flood Waters - Decontamination of the Well Structure is Imperative," for well owners impacted by recent flooding in Southwest Colorado.

DWR is offering a 2-hour online live course on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 from 10am-12pm. RSVP by Monday 11/3/25 to attend the online course. This course provides an overview of water administration, water rights, and well permitting in Colorado.  Realtors, brokers, title company agents, government employees, attorneys, water professionals, drillers, and the general public are all invited to join.

As a result of recent legislation (HB25-1014), DWR is required to notify the owner of record of a non-exempt permit that the permit has expired.  Such permits are expired if acceptable evidence that the well was constructed within two years of permit issuance was not provided to our office.  DWR is in the process of notifying individuals by mailed postcards that such permits have expired and advising them to contact our office for information on next steps.

DWR has begun the measurement rulemaking process in Division 5. The draft proposed rules, meeting information, and comment form can be found on the Division 5 webpage under the Water Administration Rulemaking section. If you have any questions, please email marie.sullivan@state.co.us. 

The State Engineer has received a request for a hearing regarding the response functions derived from the RGDSS Model Run 7P101.  Any person who wishes to be added as a party to this hearing must follow the instructions in the Notice by 9/4/25.