CO SB270

Declares that stream restoration projects are essential for protecting public safety, welfare, property, and the environment, and establishes a legal framework to facilitate these projects without unnecessary administrative barriers.

Defines "minor stream restoration activities" to include bank stabilization, mechanical grading, daylighting piped streams, reducing surface area to address flow reductions, and recovery structures for wildfire or flood impacts.

Provides that stream restoration projects limited to minor activities do not cause material injury to vested water rights and are not unnecessary dams or obstructions, creating a presumption against injury for qualifying projects.

Specifies that projects must not adversely affect water diversion or measurement structures without permission from water rights holders, and clarifies that the law does not create new water rights or alter interstate compacts.

Projects that obtained permits or were completed by August 1, 2023, receive presumptive protection from being deemed to cause material injury to vested water rights or constitute unnecessary obstructions.