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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.

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.

Summary report for the Water Resources Review Committee.  

During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several measures related to addressing Colorado’s growing demand for water, funding water projects, and making other changes to certain water-related laws.

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

Geothermal energy refers to heat that is found within the Earth.  This heat can be used in a number of ways through geothermal energy systems.  First, it can be used to directly heat buildings, where hot water near the earth’s surface is piped into buildings.  Second, it can be used indirectly using ground source heat pumps, which transfer heat from the ground or hot water reservoirs into buildings in the winter, a process that is reversed in the summer to cool buildings.  And finally, steam from hot water reservoirs can be used to generate electricity.

2014 Summary of Major Water Legislation

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.

Pursuant to Article 98 of Title 37, Colorado Revised Statutes. The purpose of this committee is to oversee the conservation, use, development, and financing of Colorado's water resources.

This memorandum summarizes the legislative history of Colorado's instream flow program, which is administered by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) within the Department of Natural Resources.

Summary Report for the Water Resources Review Committee to the Legislative Council.