CO HB1220

Colorado must reduce irrigated acres in the South Fork Focus Zone of the Republican River Basin by 25,000 acres by December 31, 2029, under a 2016 interstate compact resolution with Nebraska and Kansas.

The Colorado Water Center shall complete by January 1, 2026, a study examining the economic impact if Colorado fails to meet its obligation and the state engineer must curtail all large-capacity groundwater withdrawals (more than 50 gallons per minute) in the Republican River Basin.

The study must assess economic impacts to affected areas in Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas, with a progress report presented to agricultural committees during their 2025 hearing and a final report posted online and presented to committees during 2026.

$146,286 is appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Higher Education for allocation to the Colorado Water Center to conduct the study.

The study requirement and related appropriations provisions are repealed effective January 1, 2027, and July 1, 2027, respectively.