(1) (a) To facilitate continued discussions
within and between basins on water management issues, and to encourage locally
driven collaborative solutions to water supply challenges, permanent basin
roundtables are hereby created in Colorado's eight water basins and in a
demographically unique subregion within water division 1 as specified in subsection
(3) of this section.
(b) The executive director of the department of natural resources shall take
such actions as may be necessary to ensure proper integration and nonduplication
of activities occurring pursuant to the statewide water supply initiative and this
article.
(2) Each basin roundtable shall have the following powers and
responsibilities:
(a) (I) As soon as practicable following June 7, 2005, each basin roundtable
shall establish bylaws, operating procedures, goals, and objectives to govern the
actions and decisions of the applicable roundtable. Basin roundtables and their
representatives on the interbasin compact committee may opt out of the
procedures established in this article at any time.
(II) As deemed appropriate by the executive director, the roundtables
established pursuant to this section may take on the duties and functions of the
roundtables created pursuant to the statewide water supply initiative.
(b) Select two basin representatives to represent the views and interests of
the basin on the interbasin compact committee established pursuant to section 37-75-105. Basin representatives need not be members of the basin roundtable.
(c) Using data and information from the statewide water supply initiative and
other appropriate sources and in cooperation with the on-going statewide water
supply initiative, develop a basin-wide consumptive and nonconsumptive water
supply needs assessment, conduct an analysis of available unappropriated waters
within the basin, and propose projects or methods, both structural and
nonstructural, for meeting those needs and utilizing those unappropriated waters
where appropriate. Basin roundtables shall actively seek the input and advice of
affected local governments, water providers, and other interested stakeholders and
persons in establishing its needs assessment, and shall propose projects or
methods for meeting those needs. Recommendations from this assessment shall be
forwarded to the interbasin compact committee and other basin roundtables for
analysis and consideration after the general assembly has approved the interbasin
compact charter.
(d) Serve as a forum for education and debate regarding methods for
meeting water supply needs; and
(e) As needed, establish roundtable subcommittees or other mechanisms to
facilitate dialogue and resolution of issues and conflicts within the basin.
(3) (a) As used in this subsection (3), unless the context otherwise requires:
(I) Water division has the same meaning as set forth in section 37-92-201.
(II) Water management district means those districts established by the
division of water resources and depicted on maps published by the division.
(b) The following basin roundtables are hereby created:
(I) The South Platte basin roundtable, consisting of water division 1
excepting those portions of water division 1 listed in subparagraphs (VIII) and (IX) of
this paragraph (b);
(II) The Arkansas basin roundtable, consisting of water division 2;
(III) The Rio Grande basin roundtable, consisting of water division 3;
(IV) The Gunnison basin roundtable, consisting of water division 4 excepting
water management districts 60, 61, and 63;
(V) The Colorado basin roundtable, consisting of water division 5;
(VI) The Yampa-White roundtable, consisting of water division 6 excepting
water management district 47;
(VII) The Dolores, San Miguel, and San Juan basins roundtable, consisting of
water division 7 and water management districts 60, 61, and 63;
(VIII) The metro roundtable, consisting of the following areas in water
division 1: Those portions of water management districts 7 to 9 that lie east of the
boundary between ranges 71 and 72 west and that portion of water management
district 2 that lies south of the boundary between township 1 north and township 1
south; and
(IX) The North Platte roundtable, consisting of water management districts
47, 48, and 76.
(4) (a) Each basin roundtable shall consist of the following members, each of
whom shall reside within the borders of the roundtable, except as otherwise
provided in this paragraph (a):
(I) One member appointed by the governing body of each county or city and
county within the borders of the basin roundtable. A county or city and county shall
be entitled to a member on each basin roundtable that overlaps its boundaries.
(II) One municipal member for each county located in whole or in part within
the basin roundtable, who shall be appointed jointly by the governing bodies of all
municipalities within that portion of the county that is located within the
roundtable;
(III) One member appointed by the board of directors of each water
conservancy and water conservation district within the borders of the roundtable. A
water conservancy or water conservation district shall be entitled to one member
on each basin roundtable that overlaps its jurisdiction.
(IV) One member appointed by mutual agreement of the chairperson of the
house agriculture, livestock, and natural resources committee and the chairperson
of the senate agriculture, natural resources, and energy committee;
(V) Ten at large members appointed by the roundtable members appointed
pursuant to subparagraphs (I) to (IV) of this paragraph (a) in consultation with the
director of compact negotiations, one of whom shall represent environmental
interests and who shall be selected from nominees submitted by one or more
regionally, statewide, or nationally recognized environmental conservation
organizations that have operated in Colorado for at least five years, one of whom
shall represent agricultural interests, one of whom shall represent recreation
interests, one of whom shall represent local domestic water provider interests, one
of whom shall represent industrial interests, and at least five of whom shall own
adjudicated water rights, including owners of shares in a ditch or reservoir company
or their agents, or shall have a contract for water with the federal bureau of
reclamation or their agents. Any such agent shall be appointed by the member the
agent represents and shall reside within the borders of the member's roundtable.
(VI) (A) Three nonvoting members shall be selected by the roundtable
members appointed pursuant to subparagraphs (I) to (V) of this paragraph (a), who
shall represent entities outside of the basin that own water rights within the basin.
Members appointed pursuant to this subparagraph (VI) shall not be required to
reside within the borders of the roundtable.
(B) If no one qualifies for selection pursuant to sub-subparagraph (A) of this
subparagraph (VI), three nonvoting members shall be selected from outside the
basin who have interests in and are knowledgeable about water matters.
(b) Members shall serve for a term of five years; except that initial terms
shall be staggered pursuant to each roundtable's bylaws. Vacancies shall be filled
pursuant to the same criteria as the original appointment.
(c) The member of the Colorado water conservation board who resides within
the borders of the basin roundtable shall act as the board's liaison to the basin
roundtable and to the interbasin compact committee for the purpose of ensuring
the proper coordination of Colorado water conservation board information, policies,
and resources. Such coordination shall be subject to available staff resources as
determined by the director of the board and the executive director of the
department of natural resources.
(5) A basin roundtable shall be deemed to be a local public body for
purposes of the open meetings law, part 4 of article 6 of title 24, C.R.S.