HB 15-1006 Summary

• Creates an Invasive Phreatophyte Control Program under the Colorado Water Conservation Board to award grants for management of invasive plants including tamarisk and Russian-olive in riparian areas.

• Authorizes grants to public entities, private entities, and individuals for projects using best management practices that decrease water consumption and protect native riparian habitat.

• Requires the Board to establish grant criteria and guidelines after 45-day public notice period, in consultation with basin roundtables, water conservation districts, and watershed groups; prioritizes projects with greatest groundwater reduction impact and geographic diversity across both sides of the Continental Divide.

• Appropriates $2,000,000 from the Colorado Water Conservation Board Construction Fund for fiscal year 2015-16, with potential additional $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2016-17 from severance tax revenues.

• Requires annual progress reports to legislative committees with a final report due by March 1, 2018; the program repeals effective September 1, 2018.