NOTE: This bill has been prepared for the signature of the appropriate legislative
officers and the Governor. To determine whether the Governor has signed the bill
or taken other action on it, please consult the legislative status sheet, the legislative
history, or the Session Laws.

HOUSE BILL 05-1177

BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Penry, Buescher, Decker, Liston, Massey,
White, Berens, Clapp, Crane, Gallegos, Hall, Hoppe, Jahn, Kerr, Knoedler,
Paccione, Rose, Stafford, Stengel, Sullivan, Romanoff, Boyd, Brophy,
Coleman, Frangas, Harvey, King, Madden, May M., McCluskey,
Merrifield, and Todd;
also SENATOR(S) Isgar, Tapia, Taylor, Entz, Grossman, Kester,
Fitz-Gerald, Groff, Teck, and Tupa.

CONCERNING THE NEGOTIATION OF INTERBASIN COMPACTS REGARDING THE
EQUITABLE DIVISION OF THE STATE'S WATERS, AND MAKING AN
APPROPRIATION IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
SECTION 1. Title 37, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended BY
THE ADDITION OF A NEW ARTICLE to read:
ARTICLE 75
Interbasin Compacts
37-75-101. Short title. THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE KNOWN AND MAY
BE CITED AS THE "COLORADO WATER FOR THE 21ST CENTURY ACT".

________
Capital letters indicate new material added to existing statutes; dashes through words indicate
deletions from existing statutes and such material not part of act.

 37-75-102. Water rights - protections. (1) IT IS THE POLICY OF
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT THE CURRENT SYSTEM OF ALLOCATING
WATER WITHIN COLORADO SHALL NOT BE SUPERSEDED, ABROGATED, OR
OTHERWISE IMPAIRED BY THIS ARTICLE. NOTHING IN THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE
INTERPRETED TO REPEAL OR IN ANY MANNER AMEND THE EXISTING WATER
RIGHTS ADJUDICATION SYSTEM. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AFFIRMS THE
STATE CONSTITUTION'S RECOGNITION OF WATER RIGHTS AS A PRIVATE
USUFRUCTUARY PROPERTY RIGHT, AND THIS ARTICLE IS NOT INTENDED TO
RESTRICT THE ABILITY OF THE HOLDER OF A WATER RIGHT TO USE OR TO
DISPOSE OF THAT WATER RIGHT IN ANY MANNER PERMITTED UNDER
COLORADO LAW.
(2)

THE

GENERAL ASSEMBLY AFFIRMS THE PROTECTIONS FOR
CONTRACTUAL AND PROPERTY RIGHTS RECOGNIZED BY THE CONTRACT AND
TAKINGS PROTECTIONS UNDER THE STATE CONSTITUTION AND RELATED
STATUTES. THIS ARTICLE SHALL NOT BE IMPLEMENTED IN ANY WAY THAT
WOULD DIMINISH, IMPAIR, OR CAUSE INJURY TO ANY PROPERTY OR
CONTRACTUAL RIGHT CREATED BY INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENTS,
CONTRACTS, STIPULATIONS AMONG PARTIES TO WATER CASES, TERMS AND
CONDITIONS IN WATER DECREES, OR ANY OTHER SIMILAR DOCUMENT
RELATED TO THE ALLOCATION OR USE OF WATER. THIS ARTICLE SHALL NOT
BE CONSTRUED TO SUPERSEDE, ABROGATE, OR CAUSE INJURY TO VESTED
WATER RIGHTS OR DECREED CONDITIONAL WATER RIGHTS. THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY AFFIRMS THAT THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT IMPAIR, LIMIT, OR
OTHERWISE AFFECT THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS OR ENTITIES TO ENTER INTO
AGREEMENTS, CONTRACTS, OR MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING WITH
OTHER PERSONS OR ENTITIES RELATING TO THE APPROPRIATION, MOVEMENT,
OR USE OF WATER UNDER OTHER PROVISIONS OF LAW.

37-75-103. Director of compact negotiations. (1) WITHIN THIRTY
DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ARTICLE, THE GOVERNOR SHALL
APPOINT A DIRECTOR OF COMPACT NEGOTIATIONS, WHO SHALL ACT AS THE
OVERSEER AND CARETAKER OF THE COMPACT NEGOTIATIONS PROCESS
ESTABLISHED IN THIS ARTICLE.

(2) THE DIRECTOR

OF COMPACT NEGOTIATIONS SHALL HAVE THE
FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITIES:

(a) PROVIDE

SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE TO APPLICABLE LOCAL
STAKEHOLDERS IN THE FORMATION OF PERMANENT BASIN ROUNDTABLES
ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION 37-75-104;

PAGE 2-HOUSE BILL 05-1177

 (b)
OVERSEE AND DIRECT THE EXPENDITURE OF MONEYS
APPROPRIATED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE; AND
(c) SERVE

AS THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE INTERBASIN COMPACT
COMMITTEE AND OVERSEE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTERBASIN COMPACT
COMMITTEE'S RESPONSIBILITIES CONSISTENT WITH SECTION 37-75-105,
INCLUDING THE TIMELY COMPLETION AND REFERRAL OF THE INTERBASIN
COMPACT CHARTER.

37-75-104. Basin roundtables. (1) (a) TO FACILITATE CONTINUED
DISCUSSIONS WITHIN AND BETWEEN BASINS ON WATER MANAGEMENT ISSUES,
AND TO ENCOURAGE LOCALLY DRIVEN COLLABORATIVE SOLUTIONS TO
WATER SUPPLY CHALLENGES, PERMANENT BASIN ROUNDTABLES ARE HEREBY
CREATED IN COLORADO'S EIGHT WATER BASINS AND IN A DEMOGRAPHICALLY
UNIQUE SUBREGION WITHIN WATER DIVISION 1 AS SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTION
(3) OF THIS SECTION.
(b) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL
RESOURCES SHALL TAKE SUCH ACTIONS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO ENSURE
PROPER INTEGRATION AND NONDUPLICATION OF ACTIVITIES OCCURRING
PURSUANT TO THE STATEWIDE WATER SUPPLY INITIATIVE AND THIS ARTICLE.

(2) EACH BASIN ROUNDTABLE SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING POWERS
AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
(a) (I) AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE FOLLOWING THE EFFECTIVE DATE
OF THIS ARTICLE, EACH BASIN ROUNDTABLE SHALL ESTABLISH BYLAWS,
OPERATING PROCEDURES, GOALS, AND OBJECTIVES TO GOVERN THE ACTIONS
AND DECISIONS OF THE APPLICABLE ROUNDTABLE. BASIN ROUNDTABLES
AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES ON THE INTERBASIN COMPACT COMMITTEE
MAY OPT OUT OF THE PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED IN THIS ARTICLE AT ANY
TIME.

(II) AS DEEMED

APPROPRIATE BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE
ROUNDTABLES ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION MAY TAKE ON THE
DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE ROUNDTABLES CREATED PURSUANT TO THE
STATEWIDE WATER SUPPLY INITIATIVE.

(b) SELECT TWO BASIN REPRESENTATIVES TO REPRESENT THE VIEWS
AND INTERESTS OF THE BASIN ON THE INTERBASIN COMPACT COMMITTEE
ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION 37-75-105. BASIN REPRESENTATIVES

PAGE 3-HOUSE BILL 05-1177

 NEED NOT BE MEMBERS OF THE BASIN ROUNDTABLE.

(c) USING DATA AND INFORMATION FROM THE STATEWIDE WATER
SUPPLY INITIATIVE AND OTHER APPROPRIATE SOURCES AND IN COOPERATION
WITH THE ON-GOING STATEWIDE WATER SUPPLY INITIATIVE, DEVELOP A
BASIN-WIDE CONSUMPTIVE AND NONCONSUMPTIVE WATER SUPPLY NEEDS
ASSESSMENT, CONDUCT AN ANALYSIS OF AVAILABLE UNAPPROPRIATED
WATERS WITHIN THE BASIN, AND PROPOSE PROJECTS OR METHODS, BOTH
STRUCTURAL AND NONSTRUCTURAL, FOR MEETING THOSE NEEDS AND
UTILIZING THOSE UNAPPROPRIATED WATERS WHERE APPROPRIATE. BASIN
ROUNDTABLES SHALL ACTIVELY SEEK THE INPUT AND ADVICE OF AFFECTED
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, WATER PROVIDERS, AND OTHER INTERESTED
STAKEHOLDERS AND PERSONS IN ESTABLISHING ITS NEEDS ASSESSMENT, AND
SHALL PROPOSE PROJECTS OR METHODS FOR MEETING THOSE NEEDS.
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THIS ASSESSMENT SHALL BE FORWARDED TO THE
INTERBASIN COMPACT COMMITTEE AND OTHER BASIN ROUNDTABLES FOR
ANALYSIS AND CONSIDERATION AFTER THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS
APPROVED THE INTERBASIN COMPACT CHARTER.

(d) SERVE AS A FORUM FOR EDUCATION AND DEBATE REGARDING
METHODS FOR MEETING WATER SUPPLY NEEDS; AND
(e) AS NEEDED, ESTABLISH ROUNDTABLE SUBCOMMITTEES OR OTHER
MECHANISMS TO FACILITATE DIALOGUE AND RESOLUTION OF ISSUES AND
CONFLICTS WITHIN THE BASIN.
(3) (a) AS

USED IN THIS SUBSECTION
OTHERWISE REQUIRES:

(3),

UNLESS THE CONTEXT

(I) "WATER DIVISION" HAS THE SAME MEANING AS SET
SECTION 37-92-201.

FORTH IN

(II) "WATER

MANAGEMENT DISTRICT" MEANS THOSE DISTRICTS
ESTABLISHED BY THE DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES AND DEPICTED ON
MAPS PUBLISHED BY THE DIVISION.

(b) THE FOLLOWING BASIN ROUNDTABLES ARE HEREBY CREATED:
(I) THE SOUTH PLATTE BASIN ROUNDTABLE, CONSISTING OF WATER
DIVISION 1 EXCEPTING THOSE PORTIONS OF WATER DIVISION 1 LISTED IN
SUBPARAGRAPHS (VIII) AND (IX) OF THIS PARAGRAPH (b);
PAGE 4-HOUSE BILL 05-1177

 (II) THE ARKANSAS

BASIN ROUNDTABLE, CONSISTING OF WATER

DIVISION 2;

(III) THE RIO GRANDE BASIN ROUNDTABLE, CONSISTING OF WATER
DIVISION 3;
(IV) THE GUNNISON BASIN ROUNDTABLE,
DIVISION 4;
(V) THE COLORADO BASIN

CONSISTING OF WATER

ROUNDTABLE, CONSISTING OF WATER

DIVISION 5;

(VI) THE YAMPA-WHITE ROUNDTABLE, CONSISTING
DIVISION 6 EXCEPTING WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT 47;
(VII)

OF WATER

THE DOLORES, SAN MIGUEL, AND SAN JUAN
ROUNDTABLE, CONSISTING OF WATER DIVISION 7;

BASINS

(VIII) THE METRO ROUNDTABLE, CONSISTING OF THE FOLLOWING
AREAS IN WATER DIVISION 1: THOSE PORTIONS OF WATER MANAGEMENT
DISTRICTS 7 TO 9 THAT LIE EAST OF THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN RANGES 71
AND 72 WEST AND THAT PORTION OF WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT 2 THAT
LIES SOUTH OF THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN TOWNSHIP 1 NORTH AND TOWNSHIP
1 SOUTH; AND
(IX) THE NORTH PLATTE ROUNDTABLE,
MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS 47, 48, AND 76.

CONSISTING OF WATER

(4) (a) EACH BASIN ROUNDTABLE SHALL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING
MEMBERS, EACH OF WHOM SHALL RESIDE WITHIN THE BORDERS OF THE
ROUNDTABLE, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS PARAGRAPH (a):
(I) ONE

MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF EACH
COUNTY OR CITY AND COUNTY WITHIN THE BORDERS OF THE BASIN
ROUNDTABLE. A COUNTY OR CITY AND COUNTY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO A
MEMBER ON EACH BASIN ROUNDTABLE THAT OVERLAPS ITS BOUNDARIES.

(II) ONE MUNICIPAL MEMBER FOR EACH COUNTY LOCATED IN WHOLE
PART WITHIN THE BASIN ROUNDTABLE, WHO SHALL BE APPOINTED

OR IN
JOINTLY BY THE GOVERNING BODIES OF ALL MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN THAT
PORTION OF THE COUNTY THAT IS LOCATED WITHIN THE ROUNDTABLE;

PAGE 5-HOUSE BILL 05-1177

 (III) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF EACH
WATER CONSERVANCY AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT WITHIN THE
BORDERS OF THE ROUNDTABLE. A WATER CONSERVANCY OR WATER
CONSERVATION DISTRICT SHALL BE ENTITLED TO ONE MEMBER ON EACH
BASIN ROUNDTABLE THAT OVERLAPS ITS JURISDICTION.
(IV) ONE

MEMBER APPOINTED BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT OF THE
CHAIRPERSON OF THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, AND NATURAL
RESOURCES COMMITTEE AND THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SENATE
AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND ENERGY COMMITTEE;

(V) TEN

AT LARGE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE ROUNDTABLE
MEMBERS APPOINTED PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPHS (I) TO (IV) OF THIS
PARAGRAPH (a) IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DIRECTOR OF COMPACT
NEGOTIATIONS, ONE OF WHOM SHALL REPRESENT ENVIRONMENTAL
INTERESTS AND WHO SHALL BE SELECTED FROM NOMINEES SUBMITTED BY
ONE OR MORE REGIONALLY, STATE-WIDE, OR NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE OPERATED IN
COLORADO FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS, ONE OF WHOM SHALL REPRESENT
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS, ONE OF WHOM SHALL REPRESENT RECREATION
INTERESTS, ONE OF WHOM SHALL REPRESENT LOCAL DOMESTIC WATER
PROVIDER INTERESTS, ONE OF WHOM SHALL REPRESENT INDUSTRIAL
INTERESTS, AND AT LEAST FIVE OF WHOM SHALL OWN ADJUDICATED WATER
RIGHTS, INCLUDING OWNERS OF SHARES IN A DITCH OR RESERVOIR COMPANY
OR THEIR AGENTS, OR SHALL HAVE A CONTRACT FOR WATER WITH THE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF RECLAMATION OR THEIR AGENTS. ANY SUCH AGENT
SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE MEMBER THE AGENT REPRESENTS AND SHALL
RESIDE WITHIN THE BORDERS OF THE MEMBER'S ROUNDTABLE.

(VI) (A) THREE NONVOTING MEMBERS SHALL BE SELECTED BY THE
ROUNDTABLE MEMBERS APPOINTED PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPHS (I) TO
(V) OF THIS PARAGRAPH (a), WHO SHALL REPRESENT ENTITIES OUTSIDE OF
THE BASIN THAT OWN WATER RIGHTS WITHIN THE BASIN. MEMBERS
APPOINTED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBPARAGRAPH (VI) SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED
TO RESIDE WITHIN THE BORDERS OF THE ROUNDTABLE.
(B)
IF NO ONE QUALIFIES FOR SELECTION PURSUANT TO
SUB-SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH (VI), THREE NONVOTING
MEMBERS SHALL BE SELECTED FROM OUTSIDE THE BASIN WHO HAVE
INTERESTS IN AND ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT WATER MATTERS.

PAGE 6-HOUSE BILL 05-1177

 (b) MEMBERS SHALL SERVE FOR A TERM OF FIVE YEARS; EXCEPT
THAT INITIAL TERMS SHALL BE STAGGERED PURSUANT TO EACH
ROUNDTABLE'S BYLAWS. VACANCIES SHALL BE FILLED PURSUANT TO THE
SAME CRITERIA AS THE ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT.
(c) THE MEMBER OF THE COLORADO WATER CONSERVATION BOARD
WHO RESIDES WITHIN THE BORDERS OF THE BASIN ROUNDTABLE SHALL ACT
AS THE BOARD'S LIAISON TO THE BASIN ROUNDTABLE AND TO THE
INTERBASIN COMPACT COMMITTEE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENSURING THE
PROPER COORDINATION OF COLORADO WATER CONSERVATION BOARD
INFORMATION, POLICIES, AND RESOURCES. SUCH COORDINATION SHALL BE
SUBJECT TO AVAILABLE STAFF RESOURCES AS DETERMINED BY THE DIRECTOR
OF THE BOARD AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL RESOURCES.

(5) A BASIN ROUNDTABLE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A LOCAL PUBLIC
BODY FOR PURPOSES OF THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW, PART 4 OF ARTICLE 6 OF
TITLE 24, C.R.S.
37-75-105. Interbasin compact committee - report - repeal.
(1) (a)
TO FACILITATE THE PROCESS OF INTERBASIN COMPACT
NEGOTIATIONS, A TWENTY-SEVEN-MEMBER INTERBASIN COMPACT
COMMITTEE IS HEREBY CREATED. THE INTERBASIN COMPACT COMMITTEE
SHALL INCLUDE TWO REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH BASIN ROUNDTABLE, AT
LEAST ONE OF WHOM SHALL RESIDE WITHIN THE BORDERS OF THE
ROUNDTABLE AND AT LEAST ONE OF WHOM SHALL OWN ADJUDICATED WATER
RIGHTS, INCLUDING OWNERS OF SHARES IN A DITCH OR RESERVOIR COMPANY
OR THEIR AGENTS, SIX AT-LARGE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR,
ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE,
LIVESTOCK, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE, ONE MEMBER APPOINTED
BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SENATE AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES,
AND ENERGY COMMITTEE, AND THE DIRECTOR OF COMPACT NEGOTIATIONS.
THE GOVERNOR'S APPOINTMENTS SHALL COME FROM GEOGRAPHICALLY
DIVERSE PARTS OF THE STATE AND SHALL INCLUDE INDIVIDUALS WITH
EXPERTISE IN ENVIRONMENTAL, RECREATIONAL, LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL,
INDUSTRIAL, AND AGRICULTURAL MATTERS. NO MORE THAN THREE OF THE
GOVERNOR'S APPOINTEES SHALL BE AFFILIATED WITH THE SAME POLITICAL
PARTY. ANY SUCH AGENT SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE MEMBER THE AGENT
REPRESENTS AND SHALL RESIDE WITHIN THE BORDERS OF THE MEMBER'S
ROUNDTABLE.

PAGE 7-HOUSE BILL 05-1177

 (b) AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE FOLLOWING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF
THIS ARTICLE, THE COMMITTEE SHALL ESTABLISH BYLAWS TO GOVERN ITS
ACTIONS, INCLUDING A PROCEDURE WHEREBY BASIN ROUNDTABLES THAT
OPT OUT OF THE PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE NO LONGER
REPRESENTED ON THE COMMITTEE BUT MAY OPT BACK IN.
(2) NOT

LATER THAN JULY 1, 2006, THE INTERBASIN COMPACT
COMMITTEE SHALL ESTABLISH AND REFER TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AN
INTERBASIN COMPACT CHARTER THAT SHALL GOVERN AND GUIDE ALL
NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN BASIN ROUNDTABLES UNDER THIS ARTICLE. IF THE
COMMITTEE DOES NOT SO REFER THE CHARTER BY JULY 1, 2006, THIS
ARTICLE IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2006.
UPON RECEIPT,
CONSIDERATION, AND APPROVAL OF THE CHARTER BY THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY ACTING BY BILL, NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN BASIN ROUNDTABLES
MAY COMMENCE. ANY COMPACT OR OTHER AGREEMENT ESTABLISHED USING
THE PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED IN THIS ARTICLE SHALL FULLY COMPLY WITH
THE TERMS, REQUIREMENTS, AND PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED IN THE
INTERBASIN COMPACT CHARTER AS APPROVED PURSUANT TO THIS
SUBSECTION (2).

(3) AT

A MINIMUM, THE INTERBASIN COMPACT CHARTER SHALL
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

(a) A NEGOTIATING FRAMEWORK AND FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES TO
VOLUNTARY NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN BASIN ROUNDTABLES,

GUIDE
INCLUDING PRESENT AND FUTURE CONSUMPTIVE AND NONCONSUMPTIVE
WATER USES AND SUCH POLICIES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT
COMPACTS OR OTHER AGREEMENTS BETWEEN ROUNDTABLES DO NOT
CONFLICT OR OTHERWISE NOT CONFORM WITH ONE ANOTHER;

(b) SUBJECT TO THE PRINCIPLES ESTABLISHED IN SECTION 37-75-102,
PROCEDURES FOR RATIFYING COMPACTS OR OTHER AGREEMENTS BETWEEN
BASIN ROUNDTABLES, INCLUDING THE REQUIREMENT THAT EVERY BASIN
ROUNDTABLE WHOSE WATERS ARE AFFECTED BY A PROPOSED COMPACT OR
OTHER AGREEMENT SHALL PROVIDE ITS AFFIRMATIVE SUPPORT FOR SUCH
PROPOSED COMPACT OR OTHER AGREEMENT BEFORE SUCH COMPACT OR
AGREEMENT IS FINAL OR BINDING;

(c)

AS

DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE INTERBASIN COMPACT
COMMITTEE BUT SUBJECT TO THE PRINCIPLES ESTABLISHED IN SECTION
37-75-102, AUTHORITIES AND PROCEDURES FOR MAKING COMPACTS OR

PAGE 8-HOUSE BILL 05-1177

 OTHER AGREEMENTS BETWEEN ROUNDTABLES LEGALLY BINDING AND
ENFORCEABLE; AND

(d)

AS

DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE INTERBASIN COMPACT
COMMITTEE, PROCEDURES FOR INTEGRATING THE PROCESSES ESTABLISHED
IN THIS ARTICLE WITH EXISTING PLANNING, PERMITTING, AND PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION PROCESSES RELATED TO THE CONSERVATION AND
DEVELOPMENT OF WATER WITHIN COLORADO; EXCEPT THAT NO PROVISION
OF THE CHARTER SHALL SUPERCEDE, IMPAIR, OR OTHERWISE MODIFY THE
AUTHORITY, JURISDICTION, OR PERMITTING POWERS OF COUNTIES OR OTHER
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES.

(4) COMMENCING

IN 2006, THE COMMITTEE SHALL SUBMIT AN
ANNUAL REPORT TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON
AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE SENATE
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND ENERGY BY
OCTOBER 31 CONCERNING THE STATUS OF COMPACT NEGOTIATIONS.

(5) THE COMMITTEE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A STATE PUBLIC BODY
FOR PURPOSES OF THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW, PART 4 OF ARTICLE 6 OF TITLE
24, C.R.S.
37-75-106. Public education - outreach. (1) THE INTERBASIN
COMPACT COMMITTEE SHALL DEVELOP A PUBLIC EDUCATION, PARTICIPATION,
AND OUTREACH WORKING GROUP.
(2)

THE

PUBLIC EDUCATION, PARTICIPATION, AND OUTREACH
WORKING GROUP SHALL:

(a) CREATE A PROCESS TO INFORM,

INVOLVE, AND EDUCATE THE
PUBLIC ON THE INTERBASIN COMPACT COMMITTEE'S ACTIVITIES AND
PROGRESS OF THE INTERBASIN COMPACT NEGOTIATIONS; AND

(b) CREATE A MECHANISM BY WHICH PUBLIC INPUT AND FEEDBACK
CAN BE RELAYED TO THE INTERBASIN COMPACT COMMITTEE AND COMPACT
NEGOTIATORS.

SECTION 2. Appropriation. In addition to any other
appropriation, there is hereby appropriated, out of any moneys in the
operational account of the severance tax trust fund established pursuant to
section 39-29-109 (1) (a) (II), Colorado Revised Statutes, not otherwise
PAGE 9-HOUSE BILL 05-1177

 appropriated, to the department of natural resources, Colorado water
conservation board, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2005, the sum of
two hundred forty-seven thousand forty-four dollars ($247,044) and 0.5
FTE, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for the implementation of
this act.
SECTION 3. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.

____________________________
Andrew Romanoff
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES

____________________________
Joan Fitz-Gerald
PRESIDENT OF
THE SENATE

____________________________
Marilyn Eddins
CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES

____________________________
Karen Goldman
SECRETARY OF
THE SENATE

APPROVED________________________________________

_________________________________________
Bill Owens
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
PAGE 10-HOUSE BILL 05-1177