Search Publications

In 2026, the General Assembly passed several water-focused bills, which addressed revegetation, water vessel registration, and funding for water projects and species conservation. Additional bills focused on water issues in the energy sector, including injection wells, geothermal energy, and data centers. 

Pursuant to Section 37-98-102, C.R.S., the Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee’s (WRARC) purpose is to oversee the conservation, use, development, and financing of Colorado's water resources and to identify, monitor, and address Colorado agriculture issues. House Bill 26-1331 limited the committee’s meetings and ability to request legislation. The committee met one time during the 2026 interim and did not take any field trips or request any legislation. This memorandum includes a summary of the topics that the committee discussed in 2026. 

Drought is defined as a shortage of water associated with the lack of precipitation.  Drought is a regular feature of Colorado’s climate, and Colorado has endured significant dry periods and droughts in recent history. Drought is a unique type of weather event because it typically occurs slowly and its impacts compound over time, making it difficult to determine specifically when a drought begins and ends. Additionally, different regions of the state are affected by drought in different ways, which can complicate response efforts.

The instream flow (ISF) program was created by legislation in 1973, which authorized the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to appropriate or acquire water rights of natural streams and lakes to preserve the natural environment without diverting the water. The ISF program recognized the need to balance the environmental benefits that come from maintaining water in a stream within the confines of the prior appropriation system.

Data centers are growing rapidly across the United States. They require large amounts of electricity for computational power and water to cool the computer systems. This memorandum explores the impacts of data centers on technology, local economies, electricity, water, public health, and energy costs. It also covers recent federal and state legislation.

This issue brief provides an overview of geothermal energy resources and policies in the United States and Colorado as well as recent legislation enacted to promote the use of geothermal energy in Colorado.

Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are invasive animals, plants, and disease-causing pathogens that can affect lakes, reservoirs, rivers, streams, and wetlands. This issue brief provides an explanation of ANS and an overview of the Colorado ANS Program. 

In response to the ongoing drought in Colorado, the General Assembly passed House Bill 22-1151 to promote the efficient and maximum utilization of Colorado’s water resources by decreasing the amount of irrigated turf within the state. The bill required the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) in the Department of Natural Resources to create a turf replacement program that incentivizes the voluntary replacement of nonessential irrigated turf across the state.

This memorandum provides information about the interstate compacts, Supreme Court decrees, and international treaties that govern Colorado’s use of interstate streams. Specifically, it gives a brief history of each compact and outlines the specific components and requirements of each compact currently in state law. In addition, the memorandum discusses the two memoranda, two Supreme Court decrees, and two international treaties that govern rivers in Colorado. Appendix A outlines the technical components of the laws affecting Colorado’s rivers.

The right of the public to access rivers flowing through private property in Colorado has been a source of debate since before statehood. Coloradans rely primarily on case law to determine how and where one can float on Colorado’s rivers. This issue brief discusses relevant court cases and other developments that govern river access in Colorado.

Water policy continues to be an important theme in the 75^th General Assembly. Water-related bills from this session focused on water quality, water administration efficiency, and municipal water use. Three measures that are generally passed annually, which allocate funding for species conservation and water projects, were also passed. As water resources become more limited with ongoing drought and shrinking snowpack, water policy is likely to continue to be a main concern for lawmakers.

In Colorado, the state administers programs addressing both the quantity of water available for municipal, agricultural, industrial and recreational uses, as well as the quality of treated water for drinking and wastewater. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) administers the funds and programs related to water quantity, while the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment regulates the quality of treated water and wastewater.

Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee Final Report.

Several pieces of legislation focused on water in Colorado were passed during the 2024 session. These include measures concerning water projects, regulations for construction activities near wetlands and rivers, water conservation efforts, and improving water quality.

The recently renamed Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee (WRARC) was created to contribute to and monitor the conservation, use, development, and financing of Colorado's water resources and agriculture for the general welfare of the state (Section 37‑98‑102, C.R.S.). In 2022, the committee charge was updated to include Colorado agriculture issues. The committee is also required to review statewide planning for water resources. The WRARC reviews and proposes legislation to further its purpose.

The General Assembly considered multiple bills related to water, including legislation focused on project funding, xeriscaping, studying various water challenges across the state, and stream restoration.

The Legislative Council Staff’s Water Policy Handbook is intended to serve as a reference guide to Colorado's water policies and programs.  The book is divided into three parts.  Each part covers a different aspect of Colorado water law and policy.
 

The recently renamed Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee (WRARC) was created to contribute to and monitor the conservation, use, development, and financing of Colorado's water resources for the general welfare of the state (Section 37-98-102, C.R.S.).  In 2022, the committee charge was updated to include Colorado agriculture issues.  The committee is also required to review statewide planning for water resources. 

This memorandum describes the programs authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act that may provide formula or competitive grants to Colorado.

An estimated 3.3 million people in Colorado are affected by drought, with 2022 being the driest year to date over the past 128 years.  In response to the ongoing drought in Colorado, the General Assembly passed HB 22-1151 to promote the efficient and maximum utilization of Colorado’s water resources by decreasing the amount of irrigated turf within the state.  The bill requires the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) in the Department of Natural Resources to create a turf replacement program that incentivizes the voluntary replacement of nonessential irrigated turf acr

During the 2022 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several measures related to water, including water project funding, groundwater sustainability, watershed resiliency, turf replacement, and other water related efforts.

This memorandum provides information about irrigation districts in Colorado.  Specifically, it discusses the current irrigation districts, the powers and duties of irrigation districts, and how those powers and duties compare to those of special districts.

Final Report to the Colorado General Assembly by the Water Resources Review Committee.

Summary report for the Water Resources Review Committee.  

During the 2021 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several measures related to water, including funding for water projects, water studies, and other water-related bills.