HJR 16-1002 Summary

• Colorado projects a statewide water shortfall of 500,000 acre-feet or more by 2050, making water storage capacity critical to address the supply-demand gap.

• When the State Engineer determines a dam is in unsatisfactory condition, water levels are restricted for safety, limiting reservoir storage capacity until repairs are completed.

• Dam owners and operators on or requiring access through federal land must obtain permission from federal agencies, sometimes through special use permits, to perform maintenance, repairs, or rehabilitation.

• The resolution expresses concern that inconsistent communication and cooperation between local federal land management agencies and dam operators has caused problems and delayed critical restoration projects.

• The Colorado General Assembly urges the United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to communicate and cooperate with dam owners on access requests for maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation purposes.