CO SB198

Expands the Colorado Water Conservation Board's fallowing pilot program to allow leasing of agricultural water rights for temporary agricultural, environmental, industrial, or recreational uses in addition to municipal use.

Reduces the public comment period for pilot project applications from 75 days to 60 days.

Requires the state engineer to make a written determination within 15 days of receiving a conference report or within 30 days after the comment period expires.

Maintains the limitation of up to 10 pilot projects statewide with no more than 3 projects in any single major river basin (South Platte, Arkansas, Rio Grande, or Colorado).

Takes effect August 5, 2015, unless subject to a referendum petition, in which case voter approval in November 2016 is required.