CO SB274

Transfers fee-setting authority for drinking water, wastewater, and water quality permits from the Colorado legislature to the Water Quality Control Commission by October 31, 2025, effective July 1, 2026.

Creates a new "Clean Water Cash Fund" to receive fees from multiple water quality sectors (commerce and industry, construction, pesticides, utilities, stormwater, and biosolids) previously deposited into separate sector-specific funds.

Modifies Water Quality Control Commission membership requirements to include no more than five members affiliated with the same political party, at least one member with agricultural experience, at least three members employed by regulated entities subject to fees, and at least one member with expertise in science, engineering, technology, industry, construction, labor, agriculture, environmental law or policy, environmental justice, or municipal/county government.

Requires the Department of Public Health and Environment to conduct stakeholder outreach before fee-setting rules are adopted, including engagement with drinking water system operators, permit holders, county representatives, conservation groups, environmental justice groups, and disproportionately impacted communities.

Consolidates existing statutory fee provisions for drinking water systems, permitting sectors, and biosolids management into rules to be administered by the commission, allowing fees to be adjusted based on the division's direct and indirect costs.