Senate committee sends water-project eligibility resolution to the full Senate

The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Jan. 28 voted unanimously to forward Senate Joint Resolution 001, the annual eligibility list that makes drinking-water and water-quality projects eligible for state revolving-fund financing.

Sponsor Senator Roberts and co-sponsor Senator Keltman said the resolution lists projects that may apply for loans or grants from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund and the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund; projects on the list are required for eligibility to apply for that funding. The sponsors said the resolution supports projects across the state and can include modifications or removals from the prior list.

Supporters who testified included Michael Valdez of the Special District Association of Colorado, who urged the committee to vote yes; Jim Griffiths of the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority, who noted there is no fiscal note, described the authority’s revolving-lending history and current lending capacity (about $200 million in the Drinking Water Revolving Fund and about $170 million in the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund), and said the authority makes most loans to small and rural communities (average loan size roughly $3–5 million). Emma Donahue of the Colorado Municipal League, Claude Strait of the Colorado Rural Water Association, and Eric Hassell, district manager for Purgatory Metropolitan District, also testified in support, citing projects that depend on authority financing.

No amendments were offered. Senator Roberts moved the committee’s favorable recommendation; the clerk recorded a 6–0 committee vote. The resolution will appear on the full Senate consent calendar.