First Regular Session
               Seventieth General Assembly
                    STATE OF COLORADO
                                                 INTRODUCED
                                                           
                                                           
 LLS NO. 15-0220.01 Thomas Morris x4218  SENATE BILL 15-084
                   SENATE SPONSORSHIP
 Hodge, 
 
                    HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
 (None),
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Senate Committees
 House Committees
 
 
 Agriculture, Natural Resources, & Energy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                         A BILL FOR AN ACT
       Concerning a prohibition on reducing the quantification of
            a water right's actual historical use in a change of
            water right.
       
       
                           Bill Summary
       
            (Note:  This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
       not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
       passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
       applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
       http://www.leg.state.co.us/billsummaries.)
       
            A water right may be used on one or more parcels of land and may
       be changed with regard to only some of the parcels. When a water judge
       decrees a change of a previously unchanged portion of a water right, the
       bill prohibits the water judge from reducing the actual historical
       consumptive use of that portion of the water right based on previously
       decreed changes of use involving another portion of the same water right
       used on other parcels of land.
       
       
       
       Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
            SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 37-92-305, add (3)
       (d) as follows:
            37-92-305.  Standards with respect to rulings of the referee and
       decisions of the water judge. (3) (d)  For a proposed change of a
       previously unchanged portion of a water right involving
       historical use on one or more parcels of land for which
       historical use has not been quantified in a prior change of use
       proceeding, the water judge shall not reduce the historical
       consumptive use of the portion of the right being changed, nor
       shall future deliveries be limited, based upon previously
       decreed changes of use involving another portion of the same
       water right used on other parcels of land.
            SECTION 2.  Applicability. This act applies to conduct occurring
       on or after the effective date of this act.
            SECTION 3.  Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,
       determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
       preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.