CO HB1291

Allows water from a previously approved water right change to be stored at an alternate location on the same ditch or diversion system (including nontributary aquifers) without requiring a new change of water right if the historical consumptive use was already quantified.

Requires the water owner or operator to provide notice to the division engineer identifying the water right, alternate storage location, point of diversion, and accounting method before storing water at the alternate location.

Requires transit and ditch losses to be assessed against the water right from the decreed point of diversion to the alternate storage location, and mandates division engineer approval of the accounting method.

Grants persons entitled to claim injury to a water right the right to a de novo hearing before the water court to challenge whether the alternate storage location injures their water right.

Prohibits storage of imported water from another water division at alternate locations and preserves all other terms and conditions of the previous water right change decree.