| Summary |
Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee. Under
current law, when certain conditions exist, a district court may establish
conservancy districts for the conservation, development, utilization, and
disposal of water for agricultural, municipal, and industrial uses. Section
1 of the bill allows conservancy districts to conserve, develop, utilize, or
dispose of water for commercial uses as well.
Section 2 authorizes the board of directors of a conservancy
district to:
•
Submit and participate in a plan for augmentation for the
benefit of water rights and wells within and outside of the
boundaries of the conservancy district;
•
Contract with water users within and outside of the
conservancy district for the provision of services;
•
Exercise certain powers concerning the management,
control, delivery, use, and distribution of water in
conjunction with a plan for augmentation;
•
In conjunction with sections 4 and 5, establish a water
activity enterprise, which is a government-run business, for
the purpose of pursuing or continuing water activities; and
•
Sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of the use of water or
capacity in works by term contracts or by contracts for the
perpetual use of the water or works to certain entities.
Section 3 authorizes a conservancy district to:
•
Enter into long-term contracts with public and private
entities for the accomplishment of functions of the
conservancy district; and
•
Avail itself of aid, assistance, and cooperation from the
federal government, the state government, and local
governments.
Sections 4 and 5 allow a conservancy district to establish a water
activity enterprise, which is a business that receives less than 10% of its
annual revenues in grants from all Colorado state and local governments
combined, is authorized to issue its own revenue bonds, and is excluded
from the provisions of the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights in the state
constitution.
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