(HYBRID) Board Meeting | September 20 & 21, 2023

Event Details

A meeting of the CWCB will be held on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 commencing at 9:00 AM and continuing through Thursday, September 21, 2023. The meeting will be held at the Steamplant Event Center 220 W Sackett Ave., Salida and virtually on Zoom.

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 a 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).

Join the Zoom Meeting*
*Please only use if you plan on presenting or commenting

Meeting ID: 833 8214 7949
Passcode: 005279

Meeting Agenda

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

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

Election of New Vice Chairperson - 9:02-9:05
a. Review and Approve Agenda - 9:05-9:08
b. Review and Approve July 19 & 20, 2023 Board Meeting Minutes
Approve and/or Remove Consent Agenda Items - 9:08-9:15

CWCB Board Meeting Dates in 2023

November 15 & 16 – Denver

2024 CWCB Board Meeting Dates & Potential Locations

January 29 & 30 – Hyatt Regency Conference Center, Aurora
March 13 & 14 – Denver Metro Area
May 15 & 16 – Colorado Basin
July 17 & 18 - North Platte Basin
September 18 & 19 – Rio Grande Basin
November 20 & 21 – Denver Metro Area

Directors’ Reports - 9:15-10:15
1. DNR Executive Director/IBCC Director
2. CWCB Director
3. Agriculture Commissioner
4. State Engineer
5. Division of Parks and Wildlife Director
6. Water Resource and Power Development Authority

Morning Break - Board Photos - 10:10-10:40

Water Plan Grants - 10:40-11:40
Administration & Operations Section
1. Category – Agriculture
  Applicant – Colorado Cattlemen’s Association
  Project – Scaling Up Ag Water Education & Funding Outreach
2. Category – Agriculture
  Applicant – Florida Consolidated Ditch Company
  Project – Florida Canal Diversion Structure Rehab Increase
3. Category – Agriculture
  Applicant – San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District
  Project – San Luis Valley Rye Resurgence Project
4. Category – Conservation and Land Use Planning
  Applicant – Colorado State University
  Project – Polaris Land Use & Water Planning Tool, Phase II
5. Category – Conservation and Land Use Planning
  Applicant – Alamosa County
  Project – Alamosa County Comprehensive Plan Update
6. Category – Conservation and Land Use Planning
  Applicant – City of Grand Junction
  Project – Grand Junction Graywater Education and Incentive Program
7. Category – Conservation and Land Use Planning
  Applicant – Resource Central
  Project – Building Statewide Capacity for Turf Removal
8. Category – Conservation and Land Use Planning
  Applicant – Year One, Inc. DBA Mile High Youth Corps
  Project – Single Family Home Water Audits and Installs
9. Category – Conservation and Land Use Planning
  Applicant – Arapahoe County
  Project – County Irrigation Water Conservation Study, Planning and Implementation
10. Category – Watershed Health and Recreation
  Applicant – River Network
  Project – Environmental Flows Cohort Pilot Training Program
11. Category – Watershed Health and Recreation
  Applicant – Colorado Rio Grande Restoration Foundation
  Project – Alamosa Riverfront Project Phase I
12. Category – Watershed Health and Recreation
  Applicant – Trout Unlimited
  Project – Telluride Valley Floor Post-Removal Action
13. Category – Watershed Health and Recreation
  Applicant – Blue River Watershed Group
  Project – Blue River Habitat Restoration Project
14. Category – Watershed Health and Recreation
  Applicant – Learning By Doing, Inc
  Project – Grand County Stream Management Plan Update – Phase 2
15. Category – Watershed Health and Recreation
  Applicant – Westminster, City of
  Project – Phase 1 Big Dry Creek Channel Restoration
16. Category – Watershed Health and Recreation
  Applicant – Boulder Watershed Collective
  Project – Boulder Creek Engagement & Innovation Project
17. Category – Watershed Health and Recreation
  Applicant – Mile High Flood District
  Project – South Platte River at Reynolds Landing
18. Category – Storage and Supply
  Applicant – Central Colorado Water Conservancy District
  Project – Bernhardt Reservoir Water Storage Project – Phase 1

LUNCH - 11:40-12:40

Financial Matters - Construction Fund and Severance Tax Perpetual Base Fund - 12:40-1:10
Finance Section
1. Financial Projections and Cash Management Report
2. Two Rivers Water & Farming Company, and Two Rivers Farms F-2, Inc. – Loan Delinquency
Water Project Loans - 1:10-1:20
Finance Section
1. Oxford Farmers Ditch Company – Chicosa Siphon Repair
2. East Mesa Water Company – East Mesa Emergency Ditch Repair
Water Supply Reserve Fund Applications September 2023 - 1:20-2:20
Water Supply Planning Section
1. Basin – Arkansas, Colorado, Gunnison, Metro, North Platte, Rio Grande, South Platte, Southwest, Yampa/White/Green
  Applicant – Colorado Ag Water Alliance
  Name of Water Activity – Agricultural Drought Resilience & Innovative Water Conservation – Phase 2
2. Basin – Gunnison
  Applicant – Durkee Ditch Company
  Name of Water Activity – Durkee Ditch Pipeline Project
3. Basin – Gunnison
  Applicant – Orchard City Irrigation District
  Name of Water Activity – Fruitgrowers Dam Outlet Gates Improvement Project
4. Basin – Gunnison
  Applicant – Short Ditch Extension
  Name of Water Activity – Short Ditch Extension Piping Project
5. Basin – Gunnison
  Applicant – Town of Paonia
  Name of Water Activity – Hydrogeological Study of Paonia Spring Complexes
6. Basin – Gunnison
  Applicant – Western Slope Conservation Center
  Name of Water Activity – Farmer’s Ditch Improvement Project
7. Basin – North Platte
  Applicant – Colorado State Forest Service
  Name of Water Activity – Thinning Young Lodgepole on State Lands – Enhancing Watershed Health
8. Basin – Rio Grande
  Applicant – Colorado Rio Grande Restoration Foundation
  Name of Water Activity – Independent Ditch Headgate Improvement Project
9. Basin – Rio Grande
  Applicant – Costilla County Conservation District
  Name of Water Activity – Guadalupe Sanchez Acequia Improvement Project
10. Basin – Rio Grande
  Applicant – Ducks Unlimited
  Name of Water Activity – Alamosa NWR Until C1, T, O & P Restorations
11. Basin – Rio Grande
  Applicant – Ducks Unlimited
  Name of Water Activity – Monte Vista NWR Units 14, 15, & 16 Restoration
12. Basin – South Platte
  Applicant – Smith & Emmons
  Name of Water Activity – Diversion & Measurement Structures Replacement
13. Basin – South Platte
  Applicant – Water Supply and Storage Company
  Name of Water Activity – Chambers Lake & Long Draw Reservoir Automation

AFTERNOON BREAK - 2:20-2:35

Operational Planning Update - 2:35-3:20
Greg Bellomo

RECESS - 3:20

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Basin Directors’ Reports - 8:30-10:00
1. Rio Grande River Basin Director’s Report
2. Yampa-White River Basin Director’s Report
3. Colorado River (Mainstem) Basin Director’s Report
4. San Juan/San Miguel-Dolores River Basin Director’s Report
5. Gunnison River Basin Director’s Report
6. North Platte River Basin Director’s Report
7. South Platte River Basin Director’s Report
8. Arkansas River Basin Director’s Report
9. City and County of Denver Director’s Report

Morning BREAK - 10:00-10:15

Attorney General’s Report, Legal Briefing, and Executive Session - 10:15-10:20
Executive Session - 10:20-10:50
1. Colorado River Post 2026 Negotiations
Report from Executive Session - 10:50-10:55
Colorado River Hydrology and Other Updates - 10:55-11:25
Interstate, Federal, and Water Information Section
Colorado River System Conservation Pilot Program Updates - 11:25-11:45
Interstate, Federal, and Water Information Section

Public Comment - 11:45-12:00

ADJOURN - 12:00

CWCB Consent Agenda September 20-21, 2023

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.

Statements of Opposition
Stream & Lake Protection Section
Staff recommends the Board ratify CWCB’s filing of the following Statements of Opposition:
1. Case No. 23CW3067 (Water Division 5); Application of BCP-ARR, LLC
Water Supply Reserve Fund Grants
Water Supply Planning Section
1. Basin – Colorado
  Applicant – Blue River Watershed Group
  Name of Water Activity – Swan River Restoration Project
2. Basin – Metro & South Platte
  Applicant – Colorado Geological Survey
  Name of Water Activity – South Platte Basin Geologic Salinity Sources – Geologic Formation Chemical Characterization
3. Basin – North Platte
  Applicant – Colorado River Engineering
  Name of Water Activity – Continued Monitoring of North Park Lysimeter Station
4. Basin – South Platte
  Applicant – The Watershed Center
  Name of Water Activity – Flow Monitoring at Gold Lake & Left Hand Park
5. Basin – Yampa/White/Green
  Applicant – Norvell Ditch Company
  Name of Water Activity – Norvell Infrastructure Improvement Project
PEPO Statewide Initiatives Grant Applications
1. Applicant – Corona Research
  Project Name – Landscape Transformation Public Survey Project
2. Applicant – Water Education Colorado (WEco)
  Project Name – Accelerating Availability of Spanish-Language Water Education and Outreach Materials
3. Applicant – Resource Central
  Project Name – Statewide Resources to Inspire Landscape Transformations
Scope of Work Change for Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust Project: San Luis Creek Conservation Partnership
Water Supply Planning Section
Water Plan Grants
Administration & Operations Section
1. Category – Conservation and Land Use Planning
  Applicant – Eagle River Water and Sanitation District
  Project – ERWSD – UERWA Drought Response Plan
2. Category – Conservation and Land Use Planning
  Applicant – Alliance for Water Efficiency
  Project – Evaluating & Optimizing Large-Scale Landscape Irrigation Management & Transformation Strategies
3. Category – Engagement and Innovation
  Applicant – Northwest Colorado Council of Governments
  Project – Water and Economies of Headwater Counties Study
4. Category – Engagement and Innovation
  Applicant – Conservation Investment Germinator
  Project – Habitat Replacement Bank for the Colorado River Salinity Control Program
5. Category – Engagement and Innovation
  Applicant – Custer County Conservation District
  Project – Custer County Conservation District Water Stakeholder Engagement
6. Category – Engagement and Innovation
  Applicant – Lincoln Hills Cares
  Project – Youth Summit for the South Platte River, with Agency-Youth Engagement
7. Category – Engagement and Innovation
  Applicant – Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed
  Project – Phase 2 - Poudre River Watershed Community Engagement
8. Category – Watershed Health and Recreation
  Applicant – Learning By Doing, Inc
  Project – Grand County Stream management Plan Implementation – Project Coordination
9. Category – Watershed Health and Recreation
  Applicant – Trout Unlimited
  Project – Middle Fork Little Snake Project
10. Category – Watershed Health and Recreation
  Applicant – Ducks Unlimited
  Project – Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge Restoration
11. Category – Watershed Health and Recreation
  Applicant – Ducks Unlimited
  Project – Majestic View Nature Center Restoration
12. Category – Watershed Health and Recreation
  Applicant – Ducks Unlimited
  Project – North Sand Creek: Stream Health and Water Quality
13. Category – Watershed Health and Recreation
  Applicant – Town of Lyons
  Project – St. Vrain Creek Restoration-Lyons Valley Park
14. Category – Agriculture
  Applicant – Western Water Partnerships
  Project – Las Animas Consolidated Water-Sharing Program

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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 buttons below:

Wednesday, September 20

Thursday, September 21

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).