ColoradoColorado funds water projects and permits loans up to $30 million
Colorado’s water agencies receive funding for a range of projects, and the water board may make project loans up to $30 million without lawmakers’ approval.
What it does
The law sets aside state money for water monitoring, flood maps, cloud seeding, and other water work. The responsible agencies may use it for the listed purposes.
The treasurer transfers up to $6 million to restore the litigation fund to a $6 million balance, and transfers $2 million to support grants addressing harm to fish and wildlife from water facilities.
The board may lend $151.5 million to Fort Collins for the Halligan project and $20,166,670 to Lower Latham Reservoir Company for Jurgens Reservoir. Amounts may be adjusted for specified cost or project changes.
The board may make project loans up to $30 million without General Assembly approval. It must later explain the basis for its loans to lawmakers.
Argument forWater groups and communities could get support for projects that improve water reuse, reduce flood risks, and protect streams.
Argument againstMoving money out of the construction fund and allowing larger loans without lawmakers’ approval could leave fewer resources for other board projects.
More detail
The law sets aside state money for water programs and projects. The Department of Natural Resources receives the money for use by the Division of Water Resources or the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The Colorado Water Conservation Board or the Division of Water Resources may use the money for the listed work. Most of this funding is for state fiscal year 2026–27 and stays available until spent. Most funding is for state fiscal year 2026–27 and remains available until spent.
The state treasurer transfers money to the litigation fund and fish and wildlife resources fund. The transfers are from the Colorado Water Conservation Board construction fund to two state funds. The treasurer transfers only as much as needed, up to $6 million, to restore the litigation fund balance to $6 million. The $2 million transfer to the fish and wildlife resources fund supports grants to reduce harm from water facilities. The litigation fund transfer is due on or before July 1, 2026. The fish and wildlife fund transfer is due July 1, 2026.
The Colorado Water Conservation Board may make loans for the Halligan and Jurgens water projects. The loans are for the Halligan water supply project and the Jurgens Reservoir construction project. The Halligan loan is to Fort Collins for projected municipal and industrial water needs. The Jurgens Reservoir loan is to Lower Latham Reservoir Company to increase storage for irrigation in Weld County. Loan totals may be adjusted for construction cost changes and specified project changes or unforeseen site conditions. The authorized money remains available for its designated purpose until spent.
The Colorado Water Conservation Board may make loans up to $30 million without General Assembly approval. The limit applies to project loans made by the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The limit applies to loans made without General Assembly approval. The board must give lawmakers a written explanation of the basis for project loans by January 15 of the following year. The written explanation is due by January 15 of the year after a loan is made.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 29Governor Jared Polis SignedBecame Law
- May 28Signed by the Speaker of the HouseMajor
- May 28Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- May 28Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 6Senate Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed Senate
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Upper
- May 5Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1338 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. Result: pass.Upper
- May 5Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
- Apr 28Senate Committee on Finance Refer Unamended to AppropriationsMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1338 to the Committee on Appropriations. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 23Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Refer Unamended to FinanceMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1338 to the Committee on Finance. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 21House Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed House
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Agriculture & Natural ResourcesMinor
- Apr 20House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
- Apr 17House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1338 to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 17House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
- Mar 30House Committee on Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Refer Unamended to AppropriationsMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1338 to the Committee on Appropriations. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 19Introduced In House - Assigned to Agriculture, Water & Natural ResourcesIntroduced
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