Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tribal Water Rights topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House urges federal action on Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute water rights; resolution adopted
Summary
The House adopted House Joint Resolution 1017 (as amended) calling on the federal government to fulfill obligations regarding Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute reserved water rights and support related infrastructure projects.
The Colorado House on March 19 unanimously adopted House Joint Resolution 1017, which calls on the United States to fulfill federal trust obligations to the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes related to reserved water rights and to provide additional flexibility and federal funding to fully utilize settled and quantified water rights.
Representative Stewart, sponsor of the resolution, framed the measure as an urgent request to federal partners that grew out of long‑running discussions about the Animas La Plata project and regional water infrastructure needs. An amendment offered on the floor was adopted before the final vote; members noted bipartisan consensus and cosponsored the measure.
The resolution is a formal statement of the General Assembly’s position and does not, by itself, change state law. Supporters urged continuing work with tribal governments and federal partners to address water security and infrastructure needs in southwestern Colorado.
