From The Pueblo Chieftain (Chris Woodka):
A proposal that would expedite partnerships between ditch companies and cities was proposed to state legislators this week.
It aims at modifying the state’s interruptible supply law to provide long-term assurance of drought-year water supply, preserving water court scrutiny and protecting agriculture water rights that are used in temporary transfers.
“We are not proposing specific legislation,” Gerry Knapp, Aurora Water’s manager for the Arkansas River and Colorado River operations, told the legislature’s water resources review committee this week. “But if the drought continues, several municipalities will be needing to use an interruptible supply.”
Aurora was the first and only Colorado city to use the interruptible supply law on a large scale, leasing water from the Rocky Ford High Line Canal in 2004-05. A joint water decree application was filed in water court and an agreement was signed to preserve the opportunity.
More 2013 Colorado legislation coverage here.
