SB14-145: Water Conservation Incentives

• Requires counties, municipalities, and special water districts to consider reducing tap fees for developers who commit to water efficiency and conservation measures on irrigated landscapes, including lawns and open space within subdivisions.

• Prohibits county and municipal subdivision regulations from mandating a minimum percentage of irrigated vegetation or requiring irrigation of medians, declaring this a matter of statewide concern.

• Directs the Colorado Water Conservation Board to prioritize incentive grants (up to $50,000 each) to public agencies that require new subdivisions to implement water efficiency and conservation measures.

• Increases the annual authorization for the Colorado Water Conservation Board construction fund from $500,000 to fund the water efficiency pilot program and incentive grants.

• Takes effect August 6, 2014, unless subject to a referendum petition, in which case it requires voter approval at the November 2014 general election.