Senate committee advances bill to centralize statewide snowpack and water-supply measurement under CWCB

House Bill 11‑15 would create a statewide water‑supply measurement and forecasting program housed in the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to coordinate snowpack measurement, airborne snow observation and water supply forecasting.

Proponents said the program would centralize and standardize data collection—currently performed by a mix of local entities and fixed networks such as SNOTEL—so water managers across the state have more accurate, timely and location‑specific information. "Water supply forecasting, measuring snowpack and floodplain mapping are absolutely critical for water management in Colorado," said Senator Mark Roberts, sponsor of the bill. "Centralizing this work at CWCB will create a more streamlined data collection process and more transparent dissemination of data to water users across the state."

Lauren Riss, director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board in the Department of Natural Resources, told the committee CWCB has been part of the Colorado Airborne Snow Observatory (ASO) Management Group and is well positioned to host a statewide program. "Collection of this data is expensive. It's difficult to gather on a consistent basis and at a meaningful scale," Riss said. She said CWCB can help streamline contracting, coordinate across basins and make data more widely available.

Supporters from agricultural and water‑supply organizations emphasized the operational value of higher‑resolution measurements. Tyler Garren of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union said more accurate snowpack forecasts allow farmers and ranchers to plan planting and irrigation schedules. Andy Hill, government affairs manager for Denver Water, said the utility depends on external providers for measurements and forecasts and that the bill would reduce redundancy and improve efficiency by "requiring the use of cutting‑edge technology" and making data available statewide.

Jeffrey Deems of Airborne Snow Observatories (ASO) and the Colorado Airborne Snow Measurement Workgroup (CASM) described how airborne lidar measurements can provide complete, high‑resolution estimates of snow water equivalent that complement the fixed SNOTEL network and support forecasting, drought planning and reservoir operations. Witnesses also said administrative integration could help leverage federal funding and support dam‑safety risk assessments.

Committee members asked no substantive questions of the witnesses. Senator Catlin and other sponsors urged support; Catlin described the measure as adding important tools to water managers' "quiver." After testimony, a motion to send House Bill 11‑15 to the Committee on Appropriations with a favorable recommendation carried on a unanimous voice vote.

The bill text discussed the role of CWCB and the Division of Water Resources, refers to existing SNOTEL monitoring and ASO/CASM activities, and does not, in committee testimony, specify a funding appropriation or an effective date. Proponents said the program would help water users ranging from large suppliers to individual water‑right holders and would provide data useful to reservoir operations, irrigation planning and compact administration.

The committee action moves the proposal to appropriations for fiscal review and any required funding decisions. Further details about program design, contracting, and funding sources are expected as the bill moves through the legislative process.