Board Meeting | July 16-17, 2025

Meeting Notice

A meeting of the CWCB will be held on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 commencing at 9:00 AM and continuing through Thursday, July 17, 2025. The meeting will be held at the Salida Steam Plant 220 W. Sackett Ave Salida and virtually on Zoom. There will be an Arkansas River Tour through Browns Canyon on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 from 1:00-5:00p.m., with presentations by the AHRA Park Manager on the river trip about Voluntary Flow Management Program and Cross-Jurisdictional Cooperative Management of Recreation. If you are interested in attending please reach out via email to Viola Bralish or call 303-866-3441 ext. 3206 (there is a fee to attend).

The CWCB posts notice 30 days in advance of each regularly scheduled meeting. Notices for special meetings are posted on the website typically within five business days and not less than 24 hours of such a meeting. Notices of regular and special meetings may also be received by email. To receive notices by email please visit our Notification Portal.

Although dates and times are indicated in this notice and in the following agenda, the CWCB may address and take action on noticed items in any order. Any item scheduled for the regular agenda may be discussed in executive session if legal questions arise as authorized under § 24-6-402, C.R.S.  Any known changes to the agenda will be announced at the beginning of the meeting. This notice, any late notice(s) of additional items, and briefing memos prepared for the CWCB will be on our website.

The CWCB’s meetings are made available through live audio/video streaming on YouTube, although Board workshops are not. To listen to the proceedings, find links to either day's meeting on the right sidebar.

The CWCB encourages citizens to express their views and provide feedback to the Board on the agenda items. This can be done by filling out this form, by sending a letter to a Board member or to the Chair of the Board, or by attending the meeting. by sending a letter to a Board member or to the Chair of the Board, or by attending the meeting. If you want to make a public comment during the meeting you must fill out comment sheet prior to the meeting date and email it to the Board Coordinator. The Board will appreciate hearing your views when it reaches that agenda item. If you have any questions, need special accommodations as a result of a disability, or require further information on any CWCB activity, please contact Viola Bralish at 303-866-3441, ext. 3206. All programs, services, and activities of the CWCB are operated in compliance with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The Zoom link below is provided only for those presenting or commenting. If you wish to watch the meeting, please use the YouTube links provided to the right.

Meeting Agenda

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

CWCB Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance - 9:00-9:02

1. Review and Approve Agenda - 9:02-9:05
    
2. Review and Approve May 21 & 22, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes - 9:05-9:08
    
3. Approve and/or Remove Consent Agenda Items - 9:08-9:15

2025 CWCB Board Meeting Dates & Locations

a. September 17 & 18 - Southwest Basin
Finance Committee, September 16

b. November 19 & 20 – Denver Metro Area

 2025 CWCB Board Meeting Dates & Potential Locations

a. January 26 & 27 – Aurora
b. March 18 & 19 – TBD
c. May 20 & 21 – TBD
d. July 15 & 16 – Gunnison Basin
e. September 16 & 17 – Colorado Basin
    Finance Committee, September 15
f. November 18 & 19 – Denver Metro
 

4. Directors’ Reports - 9:15-10:30
   1. DNR Executive Director
   2. CWCB Director
   3. IBCC Director
   4. Agriculture Commissioner
   5. State Engineer
   6. Division of Parks and Wildlife Director
   7. Water Resource and Power Development Authority
       
5. Water Supply Reserve Fund Grants - 10:45-10:55
   Grants Section
   1. Basin – Colorado
      Applicant – Collbran Conservancy District
      Name of Water Activity – Parker Basin Project
   2. Basin – Colorado
      Applicant – Pitkin County Board of Commissioners
      Name of Water Activity – Pitkin County Lincoln Creek Watershed Phase 2 Project
       
6. Financial Matters - Construction Fund and Severance Tax Perpetual Base Fund - 10:55-11:05
   Finance Section
   1. Financial Projections and Cash Management Report
       
7. Water Project Loans - 11:05-11:40
   Finance Section
   1. Fox Fire Subdistrict – Water Distribution Construction
   2. Water Supply & Storage Company – Canal Check Structure Automation – Phase 1
   3. San Luis Valley Irrigation District – Farmers Union Diversion Infrastructure Improvement
       
8. CWCB Marketing & Communication Update - 12:40-12:55
   Katie Weeman – CWCB Marketing & Communications Director
    
9. Water Plan Agency Action 4.3 – Statewide Messaging Campaign - 12:55-1:25
   Water Supply Planning Section
    
10. Water Plan Agency Action 4.1 Education Hub Partnership Update - 1:25-1:40 
    Water Supply Planning Section
     
11. Wild & Scenic Rivers Fund Grant Program Update - 1:40-1:55 
    Interstate, Federal, and Water Information & Stream and Lake Protection Section
     
12. Colorado River Updates - 1:55-2:40 
    Interstate, Federal, and Water Information Section
     
13. Attorney General’s Report, Legal Briefing, and Executive Session - 2:40-2:45
     

14. Executive Session - 3:00-3:30

    a. Colorado’s Interstate and Federal Obligations and Agreements on the Colorado River
     

15. Report from Executive Session - 3:30-3:35
     

16. Best Practices for Boards and Commissions (HB18-1198) - 3:35-3:55 
    Jen Mele – Attorney Generals Office
     

    Thursday, July 17, 2025 

17. Basin Directors’ Reports - 8:30 – 9:45
    1. Gunnison River Basin Director’s Report
    2. North Platte River Basin Director’s Report
    3. South Platte River Basin Director’s Report
    4. Arkansas River Basin Director’s Report
    5. City and County of Denver Director’s Report
    6. Rio Grande River Basin Director’s Report
    7. Yampa-White River Basin Director’s Report
    8. Colorado River (Mainstem) Basin Director’s Report
    9. San Juan/San Miguel-Dolores River Basin Director’s Report
        
18. Project 7 Water Authority, Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Plan - 10:00-10:30
    Watershed and Flood Protection Section
     
19. Instream Flow Appropriations - 10:30-10:50
    Stream and Lake Protection Section
    1. Final Action on 2025 Uncontested New Appropriations in Water Divisions 4, 6, and 7
    2. Contested ISF Appropriations – East Muddy Creek and Milk Creek
        
20. Instream Flow Acquisitions - 10:50-11:50
    Stream and Lake Protection Section
    1. Request for Implementation and Funding for the 5-Year Water Use Agreement with Ute Water Conservancy District to Lease Ruedi Reservoir Water for Instream Flow Use on the 15-Mile Reach for 2025, Water Division 5 (only meeting)
    2. Proposed Permanent Acquisition for an Interest in the Mineral Point Ditch Water Right on Burrows Creek for Instream Flow Use as a Perpetual Lease with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Water Division 7 (2nd Meeting)
    3. Update and Public Comment on Proposed Acquisition for an Interest in the Shoshone Water Rights for Instream Flow Use on the Colorado River, Water Division 5
        

Public Comment - 11:50-12:00

12:00 ADJOURN

12:00-1:00 LUNCH

1:00-3:00 RULEMAKING HEARING TO REVISE RULES CONCERNING THE COLORADO INSTREAM FLOW AND NATURAL LAKE LEVEL PROGRAM, 2 CCR 408-2
Stream and Lake Protection Section
 

CWCB Consent Agenda July 16-17, 2025

Matters may be placed on the Consent Agenda when the recommended action follows established policy or precedent, there has been a negotiated settlement, or the matter is uncontested and non-controversial. Staff provides memos to CWCB members explaining the matters on the Consent Agenda. Matters on the Consent Agenda are noticed for hearing in the same manner as other agenda items. If a member of the CWCB requests further consideration of an item on the Consent Agenda, the item will be withdrawn from the Consent Agenda and discussed during the meeting or at the next meeting, with action taken after discussion of the item. If a member of the CWCB requests further consideration of an item on the Consent Agenda that pertains to a pending or imminent court action, the matter will be withdrawn from the Consent Agenda and may be discussed during executive session of the same meeting, and any action on that item will be taken in public session. The Consent Agenda may be voted on without reading or discussing individual items. Any CWCB member may request clarification about any matter on the Consent Agenda.

1. Statements of Opposition
   Stream & Lake Protection Section
   Staff recommends the Board ratify CWCB’s filing of the following Statements of Opposition:
   1. Case No. 20CW3060 (Water Division 6): Application of Dequine Family LLC
   2. Case No. 25CW3003 (Water Division 3): Application of Flying X Cattle Company, Inc., Anne C. Nielsen, Edwin C. Nielsen, Scott Nielsen, and Stan Nielsen
   3. Case No. 25CW3017 (Water Division 4): Application of Tri County Water Conservancy District
   4. Case No. 25CW0006 (Water Division 6): Application of The Preserve@Pearl Lake Subdivision Homeowners Association
   5. Case No. 25CW3008 (Water Division 6): Application of Srednicki Daughters’ Common Trust, Steamboat Powder, LLC, and Storm Mountain Ranch Association
       
2. Water Supply Reserve Fund Grants
   Grants Section
   1. Basin – Colorado
      Applicant – American Whitewater
      Name of Water Activity – Survey River Recreation Opportunities in the Colorado River Basin
   2. Basin – Colorado
      Applicant – Snake River Water District
      Name of Water Activity – Well Redevelopment – PFAS Compliance
   3. Basin – Rio Grande
      Applicant – Alamosa La Jara Water Conservancy District
      Name of Water Activity – Alamosa River Water Delivery Improvement Project Phase 2
       
3. Grant Changes
   Grants Section
   1. Guadalupe Sanchez Acequia Project (WSRF)
   2. Software for Improved Delivery Efficiency (WPG)
       
4. Change to Existing Loan
   Finance Section
   1. Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District - Taylor Draw Hydroelectric Turbine Refurbishment - Loan Increase
       
5. Floodplain Designation
   Watershed and Flood Protection Section
   1. "Flood Insurance Study, Mineral County, Colorado, and Incorporated Areas", by
      FEMA, dated July 8, 2025

Related Links

Printable Agenda

Receive event notices

The CWCB posts notice 30 days in advance of each regularly scheduled meeting. Notices for special meetings are posted on the website typically within five business days and not less than 24 hours of such a meeting. Notices of regular and special meetings may also be received by email.

Receive email notices

Listen to this meeting live

The CWCB’s meetings are made available through live audio streaming on YouTube, although Board workshops are not. To watch and listen to the proceedings, click on the links below (available the day of the meeting):

Share feedback with the board

The CWCB encourages citizens to express their views and provide feedback to the Board on the agenda items. This can be done by sending a Public Comment Request form to Viola.Bralish@state.co.us, or by sending a letter to a Board member or to the Chair of the Board. The Board will appreciate hearing your views when it reaches that agenda item.

Need anything else?

If you have any questions, need special accommodations as a result of a disability, or require further information on any CWCB activity, please contact Viola Bralish at 303-866-3441, ext. 3206. All programs, services, and activities of the CWCB are operated in compliance with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).