CO SB305

Requires the Division of Administration in CDPHE to report on water quality permit backlogs, including the number of years administratively continued permits have been pending and plans for processing permits pending longer than five years

Establishes deadlines for the Commission to adopt rules setting time frames for permit actions by June 30, 2028, covering new permits, renewals, modifications, and preliminary effluent limitations

Allows applicants with permit applications pending 60+ days to use qualified independent contractors for technical assistance, with applicants paying contractor costs plus up to 10% administrative fee to the Division

Requires the Division to consider local government debt service on existing water infrastructure when developing compliance schedules for new effluent limits, allowing schedules exceeding 20 years where federal law permits

Appropriates $2,904,599 for FY 2025-26 to CDPHE (22.0 new FTE) funded by transfers totaling $3.5 million from the PFAS Cash Fund and $111,000 from the Water Quality Improvement Fund