House Bill 15-1016 Summary

• Authorizes up to 10 precipitation harvesting pilot projects for new residential or mixed-use developments, allowing applicants to capture and use rainwater for non-potable purposes.

• Requires the Colorado Water Conservation Board to establish and update criteria and guidelines by January 1, 2016, with regional evapotranspiration factors that applicants can use to reduce water replacement requirements.

• Allows pilot project sponsors to replace only the net depletion of water caused by precipitation capture, excluding the historic natural depletion from existing vegetation, with presumptive effect given to established regional factors subject to rebuttal.

• Extends pilot project reporting deadlines from January 15, 2019 to January 15, 2025, and shifts the program sunset date from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2026.

• Appropriates $12,240 to the Colorado Water Conservation Board for the 2015-16 fiscal year to implement the program, with provisions allowing the board to use funding for water conservation efforts.