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Senate Finance advances $69 million water projects bill to appropriations
Summary
Senate Finance moved Senate Bill 25-283, the annual package funding water projects via CWCB cash funds and severance tax revenue (about $69 million), to the Appropriations Committee after sponsors said the bill has no general fund impact.
The Senate Finance Committee on Oct. 12 advanced Senate Bill 25-283, the annual Water Projects Bill, to the Committee on Appropriations. Sponsors described the measure as the Colorado Water Conservation Boards (CWCB) regular funding package for construction loans and nonreimbursable grants, financed by CWCB construction funds, the severance tax perpetual base fund and other cash sources.
"This is our most important bill that we run every year," Lauren Ress, director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board, told the committee. She said the bill packages roughly $69,000,000 in water projects for the year and has no general fund impact because funding is drawn from CWCB loan repayments, interest and severance-tax and sports-betting revenues earmarked for water.
Diana Orff, testifying for the Colorado Water Congress, urged continued support and noted the program recycles loan repayments and interest to fund ongoing projects. Witnesses listed multiple local projects covered in the bill and emphasized the multi-year review and application process CWCB uses to choose projects.
Committee questions focused on the funding source and whether the bill frees up money for other appropriations; sponsors said the funds are earmarked and not available for general legislation. After witnessing and no committee amendments, Senator Simpson moved SB 25-283 to Appropriations with a favorable recommendation; the committee recorded a roll call in favor and then placed the bill on its way to appropriations.
The bill will be considered in Appropriations; sponsors and CWCB staff said the projects bill supports construction and grant activities selected through CWCBs application process and leverages revolving loan repayments.
