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Aurora seeks revisions to revegetation bill to confine rules to Lower Arkansas Valley
Summary
Aurora staff and lobbyists urged confining HB 13-40’s revegetation requirements to Division 2 (Lower Arkansas Valley) and clarifying interactions with water‑court 1041 permits; the bill passed the House 58–5 and may go to the Senate with city-requested changes.
Aurora Water, city lobbyists and staff updated the committee on HB 13-40, a bill proposing new revegetation requirements targeted at Division 2 (the Lower Arkansas Valley). Lobbyist Jeff said the House passed the measure by a 58–5 margin and that Aurora sought two technical changes: stronger language to confine the bill’s scope to Division 2 and clarifications about how 1041 permits and water‑court judges would interact with revegetation requirements.
Jeff told the committee that Aurora Water can be a model for responsible revegetation but cautioned that a statewide imposition could create unintended consequences for other basins. "The title itself looks like it's probably going to keep it to simply Division 2," Jeff said, and staff said they would push amendments in the Senate to keep the scope narrow. (Lobbyist Jeff.)
Peggy added that Aurora had taken an amend position and that staff would continue negotiations; committee members agreed to let staff pursue the changes and return with updates if the bill’s scope widened.
Why it matters: Aurora Water said targeted rules are appropriate in Division 2 but that statewide application could interfere with water‑court processes and local technical considerations. Staff stressed they support sensible revegetation goals but seek technical fixes to protect local water-rights processes.
What comes next: Staff will continue to work sponsors and provide amendments in the Senate; if the bill were to expand statewide the city said it would consider an opposed position.
